Is Taking Vitamin C Daily Okay?

The benefits of Vitamin C are easy to... C. Vitamin C, one form of which is known as ascorbic acid, is an essential vitamin commonly found in citrus fruits like oranges, orange juice, lemons, and grapefruits.

So, is taking Vitamin C daily okay? Because it's an essential vitamin, meaning our bodies can’t produce it themselves and it must be obtained from our daily diets, consuming Vitamin C daily is safe, and supplementing your diet with Vitamin C can support your skin health, immune health, and vascular function.^†

Health-conscious individuals researching supplementation may wonder about the quality and safety of various daily Vitamin C supplements. Many of Nature Made^®'s Vitamin C supplements are verified by the United States Pharmacopeia, a third party that sets official standards for dietary supplements.

Over two decades ago, Nature Made^® was the first supplement company to participate in the USP Verification Program. This voluntary program verifies supplements' ingredients, potency, and manufacturing process.

By choosing Nature Made^®, you know you're picking a supplement made to our high-quality standards.

The Importance of Vitamin C and Choosing a High-Quality Supplement

Always ensure you choose high-quality supplements when you're looking to supplement your diet with Vitamin C. Check the label to ensure that you select the proper nutrient, form, and dosage. Nature Made^® has 50 years of experience producing high-quality supplements to help you bridge possible nutrient gaps in your diet.

Health Benefits of Taking Vitamin C Daily

Adding a Vitamin C supplement to your daily supplement routine can provide a number of Vitamin C benefits. Before beginning or changing your supplement routine, always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice on supplementation and how to build your immune system.^†

What does Vitamin C do? Let’s see!

#1 Immune System Support

Did you know that supporting your body's intake of high-quality sources of Vitamin C can support the health of your immune system? One way Vitamin C supports our immune system is by functioning as an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body.^†

It also supports our immune system because it is essential to white blood cell function. If you’re interested in vitamins for immune system, check out Nature Made^®’s Immune Support Supplements Collection, including Vitamin C Extra Strength Tablets to lend your body antioxidant support and help support your immune system.^†

#2 Collagen Synthesis

Vitamin C is also a nutrient that supports skin health—the protein collagen functions as the base structure of many of our bodies' tissues. Vitamin C is necessary for the body to produce Collagen, which supports healthy skin.^†

#3 Antioxidant Support and Healthy Aging

Free radicals are unstable atoms that are produced as byproducts of the natural cellular functions in our body. Supplying yourself with antioxidants like Vitamin C can help your body neutralize these free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.^†

Vitamin C also supports vascular health and increases Iron absorption from food, another essential nutrient. Because of the many roles Vitamin C plays in our body, this essential vitamin supports healthy aging.^†

How Much Vitamin C Should You Take Daily?

How much Vitamin C should you get per day? Like most things, that's dependent on individual factors, including age, gender and life stage. Can kids take Vitamin C? Yes, and Nature Made^® offers Kids First^® Vitamin C Gummies as a great-tasting way to help your kids get their daily dose of Vitamin C.^†

Here is the Recommended Dietary Allowance of Vitamin C:[1]

• Children ages 4-8 should get 25 mg of Vitamin C daily.
• Children ages 9-13 should get 45 mg of Vitamin C daily.
• Boys from 14-18 should get 75 mg of Vitamin C daily
• Girls from 14-18 should get 65 mg of Vitamin C daily.
  Pregnant people in that age range should get 80 mg daily and 115 mg daily during lactation.
• Men aged 19 and up should get 90 mg of Vitamin C daily
• Women aged 19 and up should get 75 mg of Vitamin C daily.
  Pregnant people in that age range should get 85 mg daily and 120 mg daily during lactation.

It's important to note that if you smoke regularly, you require an extra 35 mg of Vitamin C per day than nonsmokers.

If your daily diet doesn't include these doses of Vitamin C, ensure that the supplement you choose meets these daily requirements.

Vitamin C is Water-Soluble 

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which means taking Vitamin C with water can aid absorption. Always follow the suggested use on the label of any supplement for appropriate guidance.

Best Ways to Safely Take Vitamin C Every Day

What's the best way to get a sufficient dose of dietary Vitamin C intake every day? As with most nutrients, the best way to get Vitamin C is through a balanced diet including Vitamin C rich food. However, if that is not possible, supplementation can help you bridge these nutrient gaps.

Dietary Sources of Vitamin C

Where do we find Vitamin C in a balanced diet? That will mostly be in fresh fruits and vegetables! Including oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and limes in your diet, along with tomatoes, red peppers, broccoli, strawberries, and leafy greens like spinach, is a great way to give yourself a daily dose of Vitamin C.

Choosing the Right Supplement

If fresh fruits aren't a staple in your diet, due to availability, preference, or any other reason, a high-quality Vitamin C supplement is a great way to support your intake of this essential vitamin. There are a few types of Vitamin C, including ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate and more. Ascorbic acid is the most common form of Vitamin C and is found in many of our Vitamin C supplements.

When picking a Vitamin C supplement, look for one with quality ingredients from a reputable brand. Nature Made^® is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Vitamin and Supplement Brand.*

Why Quality Vitamin C Should Be Part of Your Daily Routine

Vitamin C may be one of the most well-known vitamins, and that's for good reason. So, is taking Vitamin C daily okay? If you're looking to support your immune health, collagen synthesis for skin health, and antioxidant function, then yes! When picking a supplement, it's important to prioritize quality.^†

For more information on Vitamin C, check out our blog answering the question, “How long does Vitamin C stay in your system?” Nature Made^®’s Vitamin C Collection offers a wide variety of supplemental Vitamin C to help you find the best option for you.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

1. National Institutes of Health. Vitamin C. National Institutes of Health. Published March 26, 2021. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/