Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that your body needs to process well. Since your body can not produce it on its own, you need to take it from external sources. To reap the most of its benefits, it is imperative to take it at the right time. If you take it at the wrong time, it would not show efficient results because of low bioavailability.
Vitamin C helps in regulating many bodily functions like synthesizing collagen, preventing infections, maintaining and repair of bones, teeth, and cartilage. Moreover, it also serves as an immune booster. There are many benefits of consuming vitamin C in your diet.
Vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy- a condition in which bleeding of gum occurs with fatigue, rashes, and bruising. Therefore, you must make sure that you get enough of it. For women, the daily recommended dose is 75mg and for men, it is 90mg. If you fail to get enough of it through natural resources, you can get it through a supplement.
You can get enough vitamin C from natural sources like fruits and vegetables. You can get it through fruits like oranges, kiwis, strawberries, and vegetables like lemons, spinach, broccoli, kale, and bell peppers.
Best Time to Take Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. Therefore, the best time to take it is on an empty stomach. So, you can take it early in the morning or two hours before having a meal. Since vitamin C dissolves in water, so your body can use it. Also, it will keep the required amount only and will flush out the excessive amount. In this way, you can incorporate it into your daily self-care routine.
However, sometimes taking the multivitamin on an empty stomach may cause adverse gastric acid symptoms like gastric acid regurgitation, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. If you have any of the above-mentioned complaints, it is better to take the supplement after having a meal. Always consult your healthcare provider if you have any adverse effects from the drug. Moreover, ask them the right time to take it, considering your condition.
When You Should Not Take Vitamin C:
You should not take a vitamin supplement with other multivitamins as they may accumulate and show adverse effects like;
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Heartburn
- Abdominal cramps
- Increased pressure on the brain
- Drowsiness
- Irritability
Make sure you do not take vitamin K supplements with coumadin derivatives that are blood thinners.
Never double up your multivitamin dose, even if you are pregnant.
If you need to combine the iron supplement with a multivitamin supplement, monitor the amount of vitamin A you intake. It is because, if you would consume vitamin A from two supplements, it can cause its accumulation, eventually resulting in a condition called hypervitaminosis A.
How Should You Take Vitamin C?
Take the vitamin C supplement with a glass full of water, swallow it whole. Take the exact quantity as directed by your healthcare provider.
Do not take more or less than that, as doing that can lead to an adverse health condition.
If the tablet is chewable, then chew it. If it has to be swallowed, then swallow it whole.
Do not crush or chew the tablet that is intended to be swallowed down.
If you are taking the liquid preparation, calculate the exact amount, and then take it with a syringe or any dose-measuring device. Take the exact amount that the healthcare provider has prescribed. Do not alter the dose.
Conclusion:
To reap the ultimate benefits, it is important to know when you should take a certain drug or supplement. Since what we eat plays a role in devising the bioavailability of the drug, it is essential to plan out the time to take it. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that can be taken on an empty stomach. But ascorbic acid supplement may cause gastric acid regurgitation. Therefore, if you have a complaint of gastric ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux disease, you may take it with food. You can also switch to other forms of vitamin C supplements if you have adverse effects. Also, try not to combine it with any other medicine you take. Before starting any therapy, you must consult with a healthcare provider.