LETTER TO THE EDITOR – MARCH 2004

I have been reading about the benefits of vitamin-C and decided to start taking 1000 mg/day. I have been doing this for a couple of weeks now and am noticing a problem with my bowels. I am constipated and have severe cramping in my stomach. Could this be caused by the vitamin C?

EB, USA

Editor: Vitamin C should always be taken in divided doses throughout the day. I would suggest you take 400 mg with each main meal. You may want to try calcium ascorbate if you are now taking ascorbic acid. Vitamin C will not cause constipation …. quite the opposite.