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Vitamin C    See images

Overview | Recommendations | Side Effects | Food Sources

Alternative names:

Ascorbic acid

Side Effects

A deficiency of vitamin C causes the disease scurvy, which is rare in the United States.

Toxicity does not normally occur, since vitamin C is water soluble and is regularly excreted by the body. Recent studies have shown, however, that excessive doses of vitamin C (i.e., more than the RDA) can lead to toxicity. The most common manifestations of vitamin C toxicity are kidney stones, and in very rare circumstances, anemia (caused by interference with vitamin B12 absorption).

Diarrhea is also a possible (but uncommon) symptom associated with increased intake of vitamin C.

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