Do megadoses of vitamin C really work? From side effects to pros and cons, we've compiled the evidence.

They say that 1,000mg of vitamin C per day is a lot.
Do you take 5,000 mg, 10,000 mg, or even 20,000 mg?

This is the 'Vitamin C Megadose' therapy.

 

If you watch the community or health YouTube these days, you've probably seen this story at least once.
“Fatigue disappeared as soon as I ate it”, “Face fat disappeared”, “Even lifting effect?” While there are reviews like this,
There are also many side effects reviews, such as “urine poisoning,” “stones coming in and rushing to the emergency room,” and “feeling like the organs are twisted.”

 

If so, this Vitamin C megadoses , whose words are true?

 

 

• Megadose therapy, what is it?

 

You're literally taking mega doses of vitamin C.
If one vitamin C tablet we normally take contains 500-1,000 mg,
A megadose of vitamin C is equivalent to taking 5 to 20 tablets per day.

 

To be exact, eating 100 to 200 times the recommended amount.
This means taking 5,000mg to 20,000mg or more per day.

 

This type of intake goes beyond general nutritional supplementation,
It's a way to strategically administer high doses for specific health goals.

 

Most people who try megadoses of vitamin C expect to see noticeable results.

 

 

• What are the benefits of megadoses of vitamin C?

 

People who try megadoses of vitamin C expect the following effects:

 

  1. Fatigue recovery

- Representative review: "My body feels lighter and my head feels clearer after feeling dizzy all day."
- In actual studies, fatigue was confirmed to be reduced after intravenous injection of 10g of vitamin C.

 

  2. Strengthen immunity

- Used as an aid to prevent colds or to help recover from colds quickly.
- There are many reviews saying that taking a high dose in the early stages of a cold helps with recovery.

 

  3. Antioxidant action

- Removal of active oxygen → Anti-aging, skin improvement, brain health protection, etc. are expected.
- Increased antioxidant synergy, especially when taken with vitamin E

 

 

  4. Skin beauty/lifting effect?

- Real reviews: "My nasolabial folds have disappeared," "My cheeks feel lifted and my cheek puffiness has gone away."
- Vitamin C is also involved in collagen synthesis, so it can help the skin as well.

- In fact, there are consistently positive reviews about the skin effects of megadoses of vitamin C.

 

  5. Mental vitality

- Some say that depression and lethargy have decreased.
- May have a positive effect on reducing oxidative stress associated with brain function.

 

  6. Liver function/detoxification support

- There are also claims that it helps detoxify the liver through its antioxidant action.
- There are quite a few reviews saying that hangover recovery is quicker.

 

Because of these effects, many people are trying megadoses of vitamin C.

 

 

 

• Proponents: It really works

 

- A scientist who won the Nobel Prize twice Dr. Linus Pauling Founder of the megadose theory
- Claimed to relieve colds, improve fatigue, and boost immunity when taken in high doses
- In actual domestic and international studies, it has been reported that 10g of intravenous vitamin C injection reduces fatigue.
"I suffered from chronic fatigue and skin damage due to depression. The C+B combination significantly reduced my fatigue and made my face look lifted."
- especially Skin improvement or fatigue recovery Many people consistently take megadoses of vitamin C in anticipation of this.

 

 

• Opposition: Too much is poison

 

- When taking more than 2,000 mg per day Increased risk of diarrhea, stomach upset, and kidney stones
- Megadoses are absolutely not recommended for people with weak kidney function or a history of kidney stones.
- One user review: "After taking it for two weeks, I started urinating every 30 minutes. When I stopped, it went back to normal."
- Another review: " urinary stones "To the emergency room. Feels like my kidneys are twisted. This is just real torture."
- In fact, reviews of side effects from megadoses of vitamin C are constantly coming out, so it is necessary to take note.

 

 

• Vitamin C megadoses, so what do you do with them?

 

1. Determine the capacity - always go slowly

- Start with 1,000 to 2,000 mg per day (usually 1 to 2 vitamin C tablets)
- From the next day, increase by 500-1,000 mg per dose → If there is no diarrhea, the dose can be increased continuously.
- The ultimate goal is 5,000-10,000 mg per day, although some people reach 15,000-20,000 mg.

 

2. Share - Your body can't take it all at once.

- Example: When taking 6,000 mg per day → Take 1,500 mg 4 times a day (morning, lunch, dinner, and before bed)
- Take at least 6 hours apart, every 4 to 6 hours to increase absorption and reduce stomach irritation.

 

3. Dosage - Tablets or powder

- Tablets/capsules are easy to take and tasteless (advantages)
- Powdered products (powder type) are absorbed quickly and are cheap → The downside is that if you put it in your mouth and cough, white powder explodes around you.
- You can drink it mixed with water, but people who are sensitive to sour tastes might have a hard time with it.

 

4. Timing of eating - before or after a meal?

- People with weak stomachs are strongly recommended to take after meals.
- If you take it on an empty stomach, you may experience heartburn, vomiting, and in severe cases, even a feeling of gastritis.
- It is important to check your stomach condition while eating.

 

5. Check for side effects - diarrhea is a signal, not a criterion.

If you have diarrhea, your body is rejecting it. Reduce the dose or skip a day.
- If you are concerned about kidney stones, you must drink more than 2L of water per day.
- If you keep having to urinate and feel like your bladder is going to burst, you need to control it.

 

6. Combination of Supplements - Combos are better than individual supplements.

- When taken together with vitamin B complex (especially B complex), vitamin E, and iron, fatigue improvement effect increases.
- However, it is better to take iron supplements at separate times (there is interference with absorption)

 

7. Some people use intravenous injections.

- High doses are also administered through intravenous (IVC) therapy in hospitals.
- This should never be done alone and should only be done under medical supervision.

 

 

• What is the expert’s opinion?

 

• Lee Jeong-ju, clinical nutritionist (Yongin Severance Hospital)
  - If you reduce your intake after taking a very high dose, your body may become accustomed to the high levels and you may experience deficiency symptoms.
  - Vitamin C absorption rate decreases from 200 mg or more, and more than half is excreted when it exceeds 1,000 mg.
  - Oxalic acid production → Increased risk of kidney stones
  - The upper daily intake limit for adults is 2,000 mg.

 

• Conclusion: If you're going to do it, do it smartly, otherwise don't do it.

 

- Some people see the effects, but if it doesn't suit your body, it can be toxic. Vitamin C megadoses
- People with weak stomachs, sensitive kidneys, and irregular meals should be especially careful.
Too much of anything is bad. Eating too much isn't necessarily good.
- The key is finding the dosage and timing that suits you best.

 

 

Vitamin C megadoses, It's good to try it out of curiosity, but let's at least try it after knowing the condition of our bodies.

No one will take responsibility for your health :)

 

 

 

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