Office of Dietary Supplements - Vitamin C

Consumer Datos en español Health Professional Other Resources Table of Contents Introduction Recommended Intakes Sources of Vitamin C Vitamin C Intakes and Status Vitamin C Deficiency Groups at Risk of Vitamin C Inadequacy Vitamin C and Health Health Risks from Excessive Vitamin C Interactions with Medications Vitamin C and Healthful Diets References Disclaimer This is a fact sheet intended for health professionals. For a general overview, see our consumer fact sheet.For information on vitamin C and COVID-19, see Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID-19.IntroductionVitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Humans, unlike most animals, are unable to synthesize vitamin C endogenously, so it is an essential dietary component [1].Vitamin C is required for the biosynthesis of collagen, L-carnitine, and certain neurotransmitters; vitamin C is also involved in protein...