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Claim: X user posits that excess intake of vitamin C supplements can cause kidney issues.
Verdict: True! Vitamin C offers numerous benefits, but excessive intake through supplements may lead to unwanted side effects, including an increased risk of kidney stones.
Full Text
Growing up, we have been advised to take daily supplements to boost our immunity and have a healthy glow.
However, a post by a medical doctor and influencer Christabel Akinola (@Drbelswellness), which recently went viral, revealed the case of a Nigerian woman who allegedly developed life-threatening kidney issues because of her intake of Vitamin C supplements.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin needed for normal growth and development. It is found in various fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, and leafy greens.
It is vital for forming collagen, a protein that helps maintain skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals and unstable molecules that can contribute to chronic diseases.
The post, which has gone viral, has gathered 5,469 views, 100 likes, 88 reposts, and 17 comments since it was posted on Feb 7, 2025.
Seeing that the same Vitamin C with numerous health benefits is now said to be dangerous piqued our interest, so we decided to investigate this assertion.
Verification
According to Healthline, Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that can boost your blood antioxidant levels. This may reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease.
Studies have shown that vitamin C may help lower blood pressure in those with and without high blood pressure.
Vitamin C supplements have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. These supplements may lower heart disease risk factors, including high blood LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. One of the main reasons people take vitamin C supplements is to boost their immunity, as vitamin C is involved in many parts of the immune system.
First, vitamin C helps encourage the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body against infection.
Vitamin C also helps these white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules, such as free radicals.
Thirdly, vitamin C is essential to the skin’s defence system. It’s actively transported to the skin, where it can act as an antioxidant and help strengthen the skin’s barriers.
Most people get enough vitamin C from a healthy diet. Hence, vitamin C deficiency is more likely in people who smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke, people with gastrointestinal conditions or certain types of cancer, or people who have a limited diet that doesn’t regularly include fruits and vegetables.
Side effects of Vitamin C
The National Institutes of Health recommends a dietary allowance of 90 milligrams (mg) per day for adult males and 75 mg per day for adult females. Adults are commonly advised to get vitamin C from foods, many people take supplements to meet their needs.
Oral vitamin C supplements are generally considered safe when taken in appropriate doses. However, taking too much vitamin C can cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, heartburn, stomach cramps or bloating, fatigue and sleepiness, insomnia, headache, or skin flushing.
In some people, oral vitamin C supplements can cause kidney stones, especially in high doses. Long-term use of over 2,000 milligrams of oral vitamin C supplements daily increases the risk of significant side effects. A 2023 review suggests vitamin C may have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative benefits for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
It is recommended that your doctor be aware that you’re taking vitamin C supplements before having any medical tests. High levels of vitamin C might interfere with the results of certain tests, such as stool tests for occult blood or glucose screening tests.
Vitamin C and kidney stones
According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than half a million people seek emergency care for kidney stones annually, and one in 10 will get kidney stones in their lifetime.
Kidney stones happen when waste accumulates and clumps together in your kidneys, causing pain and difficulty urinating. High doses of vitamin C can increase your risk of the most common type of kidney stone called calcium oxalate. This is because high doses of vitamin C are partly metabolised into oxalate, which can clump into crystals.
The vitamin C you get from food isn’t likely high enough to lead to kidney stones. However, vitamin C supplements (ascorbic acid tablets) could increase the risk.
Experts Opinion
We spoke to Eniola Olayinka, an aesthetician, who explained that taking supplements is good because the body does not produce them, and they are essential for the body.
He noted that the importance of taking supplements is to boost the immune system, promote wound healing, reduce oxidative stress, and help stimulate collagen production, which slows down the skin’s ageing process.
Eniola, however, noted the dangers of taking vitamin C supplements. According to him, “Taking vitamin C can damage the kidneys when abused. That is when you consume above the daily recommended dosage prescribed by the doctor.”
We also spoke to Lani Saka another aesthetician, who confirmed the use of vitamin supplements for skincare. She however noted that taking more than the recommended dosage can damage the kidney and cause other complications in the body.
She, therefore, advised that “It is always best to speak with your doctors to assess you and know the dosage required for you. “
Conclusion
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that supports immune function, skin health, and overall well-being. While it offers numerous benefits, excessive intake, especially through supplements, may lead to unwanted side effects, including an increased risk of kidney stones.
