Vitamin C — answers to ascorbic acid
Appears in 2 scanned products.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Roll Call does not check drug interactions or assess personal safety.
A water-soluble vitamin the body cannot make on its own and must get from food or supplements. It exists in several supplement forms, such as ascorbic acid or mineral ascorbates, that the body uses similarly.
Why it’s used
Taken to meet daily vitamin C needs and, in higher amounts, to support immune function and act as an antioxidant.
What the evidence is for
preventing deficiency (scurvy) and supporting normal collagen and antioxidant function.
What the evidence says
According to NIH ODS, vitamin C is well established as essential for preventing scurvy and supporting collagen synthesis, wound healing, and antioxidant activity. Evidence for benefits beyond correcting deficiency, such as preventing colds, is weaker and generally shows at most a modest effect on illness duration rather than prevention.
Dose studied
75–2000 mg — adult RDA up to the tolerable upper intake level, per NIH ODS.
Context
NIH ODS lists the adult RDA at 75-90 mg/day and a tolerable upper intake level of 2,000 mg/day; intakes above the UL raise the risk of digestive upset.
Educational information, not medical or safety advice. Consult a professional for allergies or medical concerns.