My colonic therapist suggested high doses of crystalline vitamin C, up to 3 tsp/day @ 2,500mg each, to aid elimination. My doctor has read one report of toxic effects at high dosage. Is there an up-to-date consensus?

A.

Vitamin C is very safe. I am not aware of any toxic effects of large doses. As a water soluble vitamin it is excreted rapidly from the body and does not store in the tissue, so there are no problems with long term use. The main side effect with large doses is loose stools . This side effect is being used therapeutically by your therapist to help aid your elimination. Most people experience this effect at daily doses over 5000 mg. The only contraindications to use of high dose vitamin C are the presence of kidney stones, kidney disease or gout. It is probably wise to decrease a large dose slowly and avoid abrupt discontinuation to prevent possible "rebound scurvy"- vitamin C deficiency symptoms resulting from changing from a very high dose to a low one.

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