Vitamin C - Ascorbic acid

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a nutrient the body needs to form collagen in blood vessels, cartilage, muscles, and bones. Vitamin C is also vital to the body's healing process.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells against the effects of free radicals—molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by exposure to tobacco smoke and radiation from the sun, X-rays, or other sources. Free radicals might play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb and store iron.
Because your body doesn't produce vitamin C, you need to get it from your diet. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and spinach.

Vitamin C overdose

The maximum recommended amount, or upper limit, for all adults is 2000 mg per day.

Taking more than the upper limit of vitamin C is not life-threatening, but you may experience side effects such as:
- abdominal pain
- cramps
- diarrhea
- headaches
- nausea (and possibly vomiting)
- sleep disorders

People with hemochromatosis are at risk from a vitamin C overdose. This condition causes the body to store excessive amounts of iron, which is exacerbated by taking too much vitamin C. This condition can lead to damage to body tissues.

Vitamin C supplements may also interact with certain medications. This is especially true for drugs used to treat heart disease and cancer. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.