[net.med] How Much Vitamin C Is TOO MUCH . . .

debenedi@yale-com.UUCP (Robert DeBenedictis) (12/13/83)

Dave Seifert (ihnp4!ihuxl!seifert Fri Dec  2 10:09) posted:
    For me, taking *lots* of vitamin C ( ~1 gram/hour ) 
    does a fairly good job of getting rid of cold symptoms, 
    *much* better than any of the usual cold drugs do.

I just want to add that I seem to remember that your liver can only 
handle 10 grams of vitamin C a day.  (from The People's Pharmacy)

Another Message In The Bottle from
Robert DeBenedictis

ajaym@ihu1h.UUCP (12/16/83)

As I understand it, vitamin C is one of the numerous water-soluble vitamins
that the body needs to function. This is opposed to a fat-soluble one.
Though I dont know what the threshold is, I believe that after it is
surpassed, extra amounts are simple excreted. The claims that mega-doses of
the vitamin are beneficial have not been proven, though it could be
psychologically helpful. Along the same lines, it is also not harmful since
the body has the capability to throw large amounts away. Fat soluble ones,
when taken in very large amounts, can cause damage because of the lack od
this capability.

Proven corrections welcome.