Food Source, Benefits, Dosage, etc.
Functions & Usage
What is vitamin C (ascorbic acid) used for?
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a vitamin that is beneficial for bones and connective tissue, muscles and blood vessels. This vitamin also helps the body to absorb iron which is necessary for the production of red blood cells.
This vitamin can also be used to treat and prevent vitamin C deficiency or deficiencyIn addition, vitamin C also plays an important role in maintaining your body’s resistance.
You can meet your daily requirement of vitamin C naturally from foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes and leafy vegetables.
What are the foods that are sources of vitamin C?
Apart from taking supplements, you can also get this vitamin from food. Here is a list of foods rich in vitamin C:
1. Oranges
One medium orange contains about 70 mg of this vitamin. In other words, every 100 grams of citrus fruit contains 53 mg of this vitamin.
2. Paprika
The levels of this vitamin will increase as the peppers are ripe. About 75 grams of paprika contains 137 mg of ascorbic acid.
3. Kiwi
Kiwi fruit is also a fruit that contains vitamin C. Not unlike oranges, a medium kiwi fruit also contains about 70 mg of vitamin C.
Kiwi also contains fiber, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Flavonoids and carotenoids are antioxidants that are good for protecting your body cells.
4. Strawberries
Strawberries also contain quite a lot of vitamins. About 85 mg of vitamin C is contained in a cup of strawberries.
In addition, strawberries are low in calories and high in fiber, and are also enriched with various kinds of antioxidants.
5. Broccoli
Broccoli is included in vegetables that contain vitamin C. You can get 50 grams of ascorbic acid by eating 64 grams of broccoli.
6. Tomatoes
This fresh-tasting vegetable also contains 20 mg of vitamin C, especially if you eat it raw. The content will decrease when cooked.
7. Potatoes
As it turns out, you can also get ascorbic acid from potatoes. One medium potato contains 20 mg of vitamin C. Potatoes are also root crops that are rich in fiber and potassium.
How to use and storage
How do you use vitamin C (ascorbic acid)?
Use in accordance with the rules for taking supplements that are listed on the product label or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use less or more than the recommended dosage.
The recommended nutritional adequacy for vitamin C (ascorbic acid) will increase with age. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
You may also refer to the Indonesian Ministry of Health’s recommended daily nutritional intake for more information.
When taking this vitamin, drink plenty of water.
If you are taking vitamin C chewable tablets, make sure you chew them first. Don’t swallow it right away.
Vitamin C gum may need to be chewed for a while and then thrown away.
Do not crush, chew, or break Vitamin C in tablet version extended-release. Swallow these tablets should be swallowed whole.
If you choose liquid, make sure you measure it with a dose or glass of medicine. If you do not have a device to measure the dose, ask your pharmacist.
For the oral tablet form, keep it in the package until you are ready to drink it.
If you are taking the lozenges version, use dry hands to take this vitamin and place it in your mouth.
Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing it. Suck several times until the tablet dissolves.
How to store this drug?
This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Do not store these vitamins in the bathroom or freeze them.
Pay attention to the storage instructions listed on the packaging. Different brands may suggest different storage methods.
Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when the drug has expired or when it is no longer needed.
Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of your medicine.
Dose
The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor’s prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment with vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
What is the dose of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for adults?
The following is the recommended dosage for this vitamin for adults:
Dosage for dietary supplements
Oral, IM (injection into muscle), IV (intravenous / infusion into a vein), subcutaneous: 50-200 mg / day.
Dosage for urinary acidification
Oral, IM, IV, subcutaneous: 4-12 g / day in 3-4 divided doses.
Dosage for vitamin c deficiency
Oral, IM, IV, subcutaneous: 100-250 mg once or twice daily for at least two weeks.
What is the dosage of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for children?
The following is the recommended dose of ascorbic acid for children:
Dosage for dietary supplements
Oral, IM, IV, subcutaneous: 35-100 mg / day.
Dosage for urinary acidification
Oral, IM, IV, subcutaneous: 500 mg every 6-8 hours.
Dosage for vitamin C deficiency
Oral, IM, IV, subcutaneous: 100-300 mg / day in divided doses for at least two weeks.
In what dosages and preparations is this vitamin available?
Solution, injection: 250 mg / mL, 500 mg / mL.
Precautions & Warnings
What should be considered before using vitamin C (ascorbic acid)?
Before deciding to take vitamin C, you need to pay attention to several things. The following conditions must be considered:
Certain drugs and diseases
Tell your doctor about any medications you are currently taking, whether prescription, non-prescription, supplements, or herbal medicines. This is because several types of drugs may interact with this vitamin.
In addition, it is also important to inform your doctor about any diseases or other health conditions that you are currently suffering from. It is possible that this drug can trigger interactions with certain diseases or health conditions.
Diabetics should consult a doctor or pharmacist about the correct way to do urine tests when consuming large amounts of vitamin C.
Allergy
Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to vitamin C or any of the ingredients in this medicine. In addition, get checked out if you have any other allergies, for example to certain foods, dyes, or animals.
Is this vitamin safe for pregnant and lactating women?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant / breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while still taking vitamin C, contact your doctor.
There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.
This drug is included in the pregnancy risk category C according to the US Food and Drug Administrations (FDA). The following is an explanation of each FDA pregnancy risk category:
- A = Not at risk
- B = No risk in several studies
- C = May be risky
- D = There is positive evidence of risk
- X = Contraindicated
- N = Unknown
A number of studies in women have shown that this drug poses minimal risk to the baby when used during breastfeeding.
Side effects
What are the possible side effects of vitamin C (ascorbic acid)?
Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction:
- itchy rash
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Stop using vitamin C and call your doctor if you experience:
- Joint pain, feeling weak or tired, weight loss and abdominal pain
- Chills, fever, increased urge to urinate, difficulty or pain with urination
- Severe pain in the side or lower back, there is blood in your urine
Common side effects may include:
- Heartburn, stomach ache
- Nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps
Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above.
If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Drug Interactions
What drugs can interfere with this vitamin?
Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.
Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor’s approval.
According to the Mayo Clinic, here are some medications that may interact with this vitamin:
- aluminum
- chemotherapy drugs
- estrogen hormone medication
- protease inhibitors
- statins and niacin
- warfarin
Can certain foods and drinks interfere with ascorbic acid?
Certain drugs should not be used when eating certain foods because drug-food interactions can occur.
Smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.
Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.
What health conditions can interfere with the performance of this vitamin?
Other health conditions that you have can affect the performance of this vitamin. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:
- Blood problems – High doses of vitamin C may cause a number of certain blood problems
- Diabetes Mellitus type 2 – Very high doses of vitamin C may interfere with the urine (urine) sugar test
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency – High doses of vitamin C may cause hemolytic anemia
- Kidney stones or a history of kidney stone disease – High doses of vitamin C may increase the risk of kidney stones in the urinary tract
Dose
What to do in an emergency or overdose?
In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118 or 119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, excess or overdose of vitamin C can cause the following symptoms:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- throw up
- burning sensation in the chest
- stomach cramps
- headache
- insomnia
What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?
If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don’t double the dose.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.
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Ascorbic Acid – MIMS. (nd). Retrieved March 23, 2021, from http://www.mims.com/indonesia/drug/info/ascorbic%20acid?mtype=generic
Hill, C. (2018). 20 Foods That Are High in Vitamin C – Healthline. Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-foods#section6
Foods With Vitamin C Besides Oranges – WebMD. (2019). Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-vitamin-c-sources
Vitamin C – Mayo Clinic. (2017). Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-c/art-20363932
Zeratsky, K. (2020). Is it possible to take too much vitamin C? – Mayo Clinic. Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/vitamin-c/faq-20058030
