vitamin · for chronic inflammation
Vitamin C
Your immune system needs vitamin C. The theory is that topping up a low level calms inflammation.
Say that in clinical terms
Vitamin C is a cofactor for normal immune and antioxidant function; the theory is that correcting suboptimal levels lowers the inflammatory signaling reflected in markers like CRP.
How strong is the research?
Mixed evidence
No consistent effect on the inflammation markers measured after exercise.
2 papers read, 1 supporting, 1 against.
Tested as: oral or intravenous vitamin C at widely varying doses (roughly 500 mg to several grams/day) for weeks, or single IV doses
How much to take
500–2000 mg
Before you take it
- NIH ODS Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for adults is 2,000 mg/day (combined dietary and supplemental intake)
- GI distress (osmotic diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping) commonly occurs above 1,000 mg/day due to unabsorbed ascorbic acid reaching the colon
- Sustained high-dose supplementation increases risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones; particular caution warranted in individuals with prior nephrolithiasis or hyperoxaluria
- Vitamin C markedly enhances non-heme iron absorption; supplemental doses are contraindicated in hemochromatosis and other iron-overload conditions
- High-dose Vitamin C antioxidant activity may attenuate the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation therapy; per NIH ODS, consultation with an oncologist is required before supplementing during active cancer treatment
- High-dose Vitamin C combined with antioxidant mixtures (including vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium) may blunt the HDL-raising effect of niacin-statin combination therapy per NIH ODS