Ascorbic acid, often popularly known as ascorbic acid, is very often perceived in our country as a delicacy that is sold in a pharmacy in the form of large tablets or vice versa - small and yellow.
I am sure that many of us in childhood asked our parents about one more vitamin supplement, and after that, having matured and having the opportunity to go to the pharmacy on our own, we already bought ascorbic acid and ate in packs.
So tasty, it never aroused the idea that this is a medicine, and you need to take it strictly in certain doses. What if these doses are violated? Is an overdose of ascorbic acid possible?
There is an opinion that in vitamin C, as ascorbic acid also calls, the body experiences a permanent shortage, however, there are opposite information:
- an adult needs at least 90 mg of this medication per day;
- the need of pregnant and lactating women increases to 120 mg;
- children are quite enough and 30 mg;
- babies generally receive their portion with breast milk.
It should also be noted that many foods contain ascorbic acid. An overdose may occur in the case of a combination of them and drugs containing vitamin C. Its concentration reaches a maximum in such products as:
- sweet peppers, spinach, broccoli;
- blackcurrant, parsley, ripe tomatoes;
- citrus fruits (which, by the way, contain it much less than in previous products).
It is widely believed that colds and even cancers can be managed through increased intake of vitamin C. Unfortunately, this opinion is only a guess, because there are no studies confirming that ascorbic acid has such properties. An overdose of it is a very common occurrence.
What are the symptoms?
The prolonged intake of a large amount of a substance (from 1 gram or more) into the body is fraught with the occurrence of headache, increased excitability of the nervous system and blood pressure, the appearance of nausea, vomiting, and often insomnia. Hyperglycemia, nephrolithiasis, and complications of the functioning of the kidneys are also possible.
In other words, an overdose of ascorbic acid in the body is fraught with diverse and rather serious consequences. Treat this medicine exclusively as a "delicious vitamin" is not worth it.
Despite the fact that ascorbic acid itself does not cure any diseases (even the common cold), it very effectively and in a short time has a positive effect on the immune system, strengthening it. However, this is not all.
The effect of ascorbic acid on the body
Vitamin C affects the rate of hemoglobin biosynthesis in the body upward. Consequently, the amount of oxygen entering it also increases. In addition, ascorbic acid is responsible for the synthesis of collagen fibers, which form the basis of the structure of the skin, nails and hair.
Being an antioxidant, it protects against the influence of free radicals.
That is why with most colds, in the cold season, and indeed with any disease in order to increase immunity , ascorbic acid is recommended. An overdose of this vitamin, being an unpleasant consequence of uncontrolled intake, is still much less dangerous than a complication of any disease associated with a decrease in the protective functions of the immune system. Therefore, to use vitamin C for ailments is strongly recommended, however, in certain doses.
Experts advise: you should observe a moderate intake of both drugs and products that contain ascorbic acid. An overdose, according to doctors, can occur unnoticed.