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Should I take 500 or 1000 mg vitamin C?

Author

Daniel Foster

Updated on June 01, 2026

"The safe upper limit for vitamin C is 2,000 milligrams a day, and there is a great track record with strong evidence that taking 500 milligrams daily is safe," he says. Food is the best way to get all your nutrients.

Is 1000 milligrams of vitamin C too much?

The upper limit for vitamin C in adults is 2,000 mg. Individuals with chronic liver disease, gout, or kidney disease are recommended to take no more than 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day. High vitamin C intakes have the potential to increase urinary oxalate and uric acid excretion.

Can you take 500mg of vitamin C twice a day?

The Daily Value for vitamin C was raised to 90 mg for men in 2000, and Upper Limit of 2,000 mg per day was established as being safe. This followed a study of urinary excretion of vitamin C (AA) that demonstrated 500 mg twice a day provides levels sufficient to cause continuous urinary excretion in humans.

Is it OK to take 500mg vitamin C daily?

"The safe upper limit for vitamin C is 2,000 milligrams a day, and there is a great track record with strong evidence that taking 500 milligrams daily is safe," he says. Food is the best way to get all your nutrients.

What is vitamin C 500mg good for?

Vitamin C plays an important role in the body. It is needed to maintain the health of skin, cartilage, teeth, bone, and blood vessels. It is also used to protect your body's cells from damage. It is known as an antioxidant.

31 related questions found

What happens if I take 1000mg of vitamin C daily?

Taking large amounts (more than 1,000mg per day) of vitamin C can cause: stomach pain. diarrhoea. flatulence.

What happens if you take 1000mg of vitamin C everyday?

The upper limit for all adults is 2,000 mg a day. Although too much dietary vitamin C is unlikely to be harmful, large doses of vitamin C supplements might cause: Diarrhea. Nausea.

What does 1000mg of vitamin C do?

Studies show that consuming more vitamin C can increase your blood antioxidant levels by up to 30%. This helps the body's natural defenses fight inflammation ( 4 , 5). Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that can boost your blood antioxidant levels. This may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease.

How long does 1000mg of vitamin C stay in system?

As a water-soluble vitamin, vitamin C does not remain in your body very long. In most cases, this essential nutrient is excreted within 24 hours, but the amount of time vitamin C stays in your system depends on your individual circumstances and medical history.

Which form of vitamin C is best?

Time-release vitamin C is often the preferred choice since vitamin C has better bioavailability when taken in smaller doses throughout the day. A time-release formula aims to solve this problem without taking multiple tablets, by releasing the vitamin C slowly throughout the day.

What happens if you take vitamin C everyday?

Excessive vitamin C intake can lead to the following side effects: Diarrhea. Nausea. Vomiting.

Can your body absorb 1000 mg vitamin C?

In addition, vitamin C is water-soluble, making it hard for your body to store it — with excess being secreted in your urine. So even if you're adult and can handle the 1,000 mg in each vitamin C packet or pill, just know that your body can't absorb (or, therefore, use) more than about 400 mg.

What is the best time to take vitamin C?

While Vitamin C is a largely helpful nutrient, it is a water-soluble nutrient, which is best absorbed when you take them empty stomach. An ideal way would be to take your supplement first thing in the morning, 30-45 minutes before your meal.

Does vitamin C gain weight?

Weight Gain

Early research has found a link between low levels of vitamin C and higher amounts of body fat, especially belly fat. This vitamin may also play a role in how well your body burns fat for energy.

How much vitamin C do I need a day?

That being said, a 1,000-milligram daily dose of vitamin C falls well within the safe range for most people. The optimal intake appears to be at least 200 milligrams per day and the upper limit (i.e., the clinically studied dosage that the majority of people can safely take), is 2,000 milligrams daily.

Can too much vitamin C hurt you?

But routinely getting an overload of vitamins and minerals can hurt you. Too much vitamin C or zinc could cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Too much selenium could lead to hair loss, gastrointestinal upset, fatigue, and mild nerve damage.

Can you take vitamin C and vitamin D together?

Vitamin C and vitamin D are found together in many multivitamins, so taking them together should not be a problem for most people. However, if you're at risk for kidney stones, consult your doctor before taking supplements.

Is it OK to take vitamin C at night?

You can take vitamin C supplements at any time of day, with or without food, although taking ascorbic acid with foods can help decrease the potential gastrointestinal side effects caused by its high acidity ( 7 ).

Which vitamins should you not take together?

Vitamins & Supplements You Should Not Take Together

  • Magnesium and calcium/multivitamin. Many people like to take magnesium in the evening, as it can promote a sense of calm and supports muscle relaxation. ...
  • Vitamins D, E and K. ...
  • Fish Oil & Gingko Biloba. ...
  • Copper and zinc. ...
  • Iron and Green tea. ...
  • Vitamin C and B12.

How long does 500mg of vitamin C stay in system?

The average half life of ascorbic acid in adult human is about 10–20 days, with a turn over of 1 mg/kg body and a body pool of 22 mg/kg at plasma ascorbate concentration of 50 μmol/ L [8,9]. Hence ascorbic acid has to regularly supplemented through diet or tablets to maintain ascorbic acid pool in the body.

How can I boost my immune system quickly?

6 Ways to Boost Your Immune System

  1. Stay up-to-date on recommended vaccines. Building a strong immune system starts with taking advantage of the best way we have to protect ourselves from harmful illnesses: vaccines. ...
  2. Maintain a healthy diet. ...
  3. Exercise regularly. ...
  4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. ...
  5. Get plenty of sleep. ...
  6. Minimize stress.

What medications should not be taken with vitamin C?

Possible interactions include:

  • Aluminum. Taking vitamin C can increase your absorption of aluminum from medications containing aluminum, such as phosphate binders. ...
  • Chemotherapy. ...
  • Estrogen. ...
  • Protease inhibitors. ...
  • Statins and niacin. ...
  • Warfarin (Jantoven).

What does vitamin C do for your face?

This incredible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory nutrient is known to improve skin tone and texture, hydrate the skin, and reduce signs of aging. Adding vitamin C to your skin care routine can not only brighten your complexion but also protect against skin damage caused by sun exposure and harmful free radicals.

Are all vitamin C the same?

There are several forms of vitamin C. In supplements, vitamin C usually comes in the form of ascorbic acid. However, some supplements contain other forms, such as sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, or ascorbic acid with bioflavonoids. According to the NIH , all forms of vitamin C are similarly beneficial.

What is the best form of vitamin C for immune system?

Form: Calcium Ascorbate or Ester C

This form of vitamin C has a neutral pH and does not cause the body to become more acidic. Ester C provides good support for your immune system and can improve allergy symptoms by helping your body reduce histamine levels.