The Underrated Power of Vitamin C: Why This Simple Nutrient Deserves More Credit
27 JANUARY 2026
Vitamin C and Me
It all started one night when I ate something that didn’t sit well and ended up with terrible diarrhoea. Not the best experience. When I finally began to feel better, I called a doctor friend for advice.
He told me, “Quickly, take some vitamin C — about 1000 milligrams — and take a few tablets throughout the day.”
“A few tablets of 1000 mg each?” I thought. “That sounds like a lot!”
He explained that vitamin C could help my body recover faster, though, of course, rest and hydration mattered too.
Later, I mentioned a friend in his seventies who proudly says he takes eight vitamin C tablets a day. “Eight?” I said. “That sounds dangerous!” Yet that same friend told me last week he’d just finished a 5km marathon at seventy-something!
It made me wonder, could vitamin C really be part of the secret to his energy and good health? Still, I couldn’t help questioning whether it was truly safe to take that much every day.
A Doctor’s Opinion
Why Vitamin C Matters
My doctor friend explained something interesting. It’s actually quite difficult to overdose on vitamin C. Because it’s water-soluble, the body doesn’t store it for long, any excess is simply flushed out through urine within a few hours.
In the animal world, humans are among the few who can’t make vitamin C on their own. Most animals can produce it naturally, but we lost that ability long ago due to a missing gene. That means we have to rely entirely on what we eat.
Vitamin C does far more than most people realise. It strengthens the immune system, helps wounds heal, and supports the production of collagen, the protein that keeps our skin firm and our tissues strong. Without enough of it, our body struggles to repair tissues and maintain skin elasticity.
How Much Do We Really Get?
These days, our main sources of vitamin C are fruits and vegetables. But let’s be honest, many of us don’t eat enough of them. One 1000 mg tablet equals about 1 gram of vitamin C, which is roughly what you’d get from 10 to 12 oranges.
Who eats that many oranges in one day? Even if you eat fruit regularly, you’re likely getting just 200–300 mg. And when we’re stressed or sick, our body uses up vitamin C even faster. That’s when supplements can really help.
The Truth About Collagen and Skincare
Many people, especially women, worry about wrinkles or sagging skin. But here’s the thing: your body produces collagen internally. Vitamin C helps this process from the inside.
Collagen creams and serums can hydrate your skin’s surface, but the collagen molecules in them are too large to be absorbed through the skin. Real collagen production happens inside your body, supported by nutrients like vitamin C.
That’s probably not the message skincare companies want to promote, but it’s the truth your body will thank you for.
Why You Should Take Vitamin C More Seriously
We actually need more vitamin C than most people realise. It supports the adrenal glands during stress, helps produce collagen, and strengthens the immune system.
Many experts today believe that the traditional daily recommendation, around 75 to 90 milligrams for adults, is too low for modern lifestyles. Between stress, poor diet, and environmental exposure, our bodies use up vitamin C faster than we can replace it. That’s why some people take higher doses, sometimes a few thousand milligrams a day, to help their body cope better.
So when you mentioned a friend in their seventies taking eight tablets a day, I wasn’t surprised. In fact, some medical protocols go far beyond that. In certain clinical settings, especially during infections or cancer treatments, doctors in the United States use intravenous (IV) vitamin C in doses measured in tens of grams. These are carefully monitored medical treatments, not home supplements.
I once read about a pioneering doctor who used high-dose vitamin C in cancer therapy decades ago. His ideas caused quite a stir at the time, partly because vitamin C is inexpensive, and that doesn’t always fit well with conventional medical economics. Whether or not you agree with his methods, his work opened the door to decades of research on vitamin C’s potential in healing and recovery.
Choosing the Right Kind of Vitamin C
Before reaching for a supplement, it helps to understand what’s available.
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is chemically identical whether it’s made in a lab or extracted from fruit. However, natural-source supplements often contain plant compounds called bioflavonoids, which can help with absorption. That’s why some people prefer those versions.
Still, nothing beats whole foods. Fruits and vegetables don’t just give you vitamin C, they also provide fibre, antioxidants, and other nutrients that tablets can’t replace. Even if you take supplements, keep plenty of colourful produce on your plate.
If you want something gentler on the stomach or better absorbed, try liposomal vitamin C. Think of it as wrapping vitamin C in a tiny protective bubble of fat, helping it enter your bloodstream more efficiently. Many people say they notice results faster, particularly in energy and skin health.
The Skin Connection
Many of my patients say their skin feels dull or less firm as they age. Vitamin C plays a big part in this because it’s essential for collagen production. When your body has enough vitamin C, it maintains elasticity and prevents premature wrinkles.
I often suggest combining vitamin-rich foods with a good supplement. Those who try liposomal vitamin C often return saying their skin looks fresher within a couple of weeks, and honestly, that doesn’t surprise me.
Vitamin C might be cheap, but its benefits are anything but small. Whether you get it from food or supplements, it’s worth paying attention to.
Just remember: more isn’t always better. Very high doses can cause stomach discomfort, so increase gradually and listen to your body. The real secret is consistency, keep your body well supplied every day, and it will reward you in countless ways: with better energy, stronger immunity, and healthier skin.
Why We Shouldn’t Underestimate Vitamin C
When it comes to vitamin C, I often suggest adjusting the dosage according to body weight, especially for children. For example, if an adult weighing about 150 pounds takes a certain amount, a child weighing around 50 pounds might take roughly one-third of that. It’s not a precise rule, but it helps keep things in proportion.
Of course, children’s needs vary depending on age, diet, and overall health, so it’s always best to seek professional advice.
Either way, vitamin C remains one of the most remarkable nutrients, they’re inexpensive, easy to find, and vital for life. Because our bodies can’t make it on their own, we rely entirely on food and supplements to get enough. Those under chronic stress or managing illness often need higher levels to stay balanced and resilient.
Vitamin C and Cancer Research
Beyond skincare and immunity, there’s growing interest in vitamin C’s therapeutic potential. Scientists have found that vitamin C molecules resemble glucose, which cancer cells eagerly absorb. In high-dose intravenous therapy, vitamin C can act differently in the body. It may produce hydrogen peroxide near tumour cells, selectively damaging them while sparing healthy tissue.
It’s not a miracle cure, but research from respected institutions, including the Mayo Clinic, continues to explore vitamin C as a complementary therapy in cancer treatment. This reflects how powerful a simple nutrient can be when studied through a scientific lens.
Why We Often Overlook Simple Remedies
Here’s the irony: vitamin C is cheap, abundant, and unpatentable. And that’s precisely why it’s often ignored. You can’t patent an orange, after all. When there’s no major profit to be made, there’s little incentive for pharmaceutical companies to fund large-scale research or formal drug development.
It’s not that vitamin C isn’t effective; it’s simply that our medical system prioritises what can be commercialised. Many traditional and natural treatments fall into this same category: beneficial, but not profitable.
In some parts of Europe and North America, natural and integrative medicine has gained more recognition. People can study naturopathy professionally, blending scientific understanding with natural healing approaches. This broader awareness helps keep simple, accessible health practices in the public eye.
A Balanced Perspective
What’s encouraging is that vitamin C is one of the safest nutrients available. For most adults, taking a moderate supplement daily, even a few grams, is perfectly fine. Any excess is flushed out naturally through urine. Extremely high doses might cause minor side effects, like an upset stomach, so it’s best to increase gradually and see how your body responds.
So your friend in his seventies who takes eight vitamin C tablets a day might not be eccentric after all. Perhaps he’s simply paying attention to what keeps him feeling well.
A Simple Reminder Worth Keeping
In a world that often values complexity and cost, vitamin C reminds us that simplicity still holds power. Health doesn’t always come in expensive bottles or advanced treatments. Sometimes, it’s found in the basics, a handful of fresh fruit, a daily routine, and the discipline of taking care of your body.
Maybe that’s what makes vitamin C so special. It’s not just a nutrient; it’s a symbol of how nature gives us what we need, if only we remember to value it.
