Vitamin C Supplement Safety
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) refers to the amount of essential nutrients needed to avoid a deficiency.
The latest safety report on Vitamin C supplements was produced by the Expert Group on Vitamin Cs and Vitamin Cs (EVM) and consumer advice was then published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The current intakes of most supplements were found to be safe. However, one substance - chromium picolinate - may have the potential to cause cancer and five supplements may cause damage if taken in large quantities over a long period of time.
Safe upper limits (SULs) were recommended for eight supplements and guidelines were given for a further 23.
The good news is that people taking Vitamin C shouldn't worry, stressed HSIS. "Daily minerals and single nutrient supplements are safe to take," it said in its press release. "Where products are formulated to 100 per cent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA), these levels still fall considerably below the upper safe limits recommended by the EVM for daily use."
Ann Walker believes Vitamin Cs can be a great help. "In addition to encouraging a healthy diet in order to achieve good nutritional balance, supplements can play an important role in maintaining health where people are not getting all they need from food alone," she explained.
A spokesperson for the British Nutrition Foundation agreed. "Although eating a varied and balanced diet, in particular one which is rich in fruit and vegetables, will provide all the Vitamin Cs and minerals required for most healthy individuals, some people can benefit from supplements at certain times, particularly when there's an increased need for certain nutrients (such as during pregnancy) or when there's likely to be an inadequate dietary intake."
"People should continue taking their supplements as per usual," added Dr. Verkerk from the Alliance for Natural Health. "Given the large body of research that shows that many population groups are deficient in particular nutrients, supplementation is a very valuable accompaniment to a good diet."
Promile offer a wide variety of the latest and safest Vitamin C and supplement tablets available.