vitamin c is an important water-soluble vitamin that comes from many different foods, including fruits and vegetables, and is also available as a dietary supplement. It is a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent free radical damage and reduce inflammation in the body. It can also support the immune system and helps maintain healthy skin, joints and connective tissue.

A deficiency of vitamin C can lead to scurvy, which causes weakness, anemia, bleeding gums, and bruising. This is a serious condition, so it's essential to get enough in your diet.

Your vitamin C intake should be based on the daily value (DV) on the label of any supplements you buy, which is 90 mg for adults and 75 mg for children. This is the amount that is recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

Eating a balanced diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need. This includes eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts and seeds, legumes and beans.

It's also a good idea to add a high-quality multivitamin and mineral supplement to your daily routine. This will help you reach your DV of vitamin C, which may be higher than what you get from the foods you eat.

You should talk to your doctor before you take any dietary supplements, especially if you have a medical condition that affects your ability to absorb nutrients. Some conditions, such as intestinal malabsorption, cachexia, and cancer, can increase the amount of vitamin C your body needs or decrease its absorption. In addition, people with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis or other diseases that can cause oxidative stress have lower levels of vitamin C than healthy individuals.

In addition, taking vitamin C with certain medications may cause problems. These medications include statins (which help lower cholesterol), niacin, and warfarin (Jantoven).

If you are taking these drugs, be sure to tell your doctor before you start taking a vitamin C supplement. They may need to adjust your dose of the medication.

Dietary sources of vitamin C are varied and include citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and spinach. It's also available as a dietary supplement in capsules and chewable tablets.

How much should I eat?

Most of the time, you should get enough vitamin C from the foods you eat. You should also consider consuming vitamin C dietary supplements, as well as drinking a lot of fruit and vegetable juices, which contain natural sources of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that the body requires to function properly and stay healthy. It is an antioxidant that protects the cells in your body from free radical damage caused by exposure to air pollution, smoke, sun, and other environmental factors. It is also necessary for wound healing and the production of collagen.

Is there a safe way to take vitamin C?