It seems like there’s a supplement for just about everything these days, from weight loss to sleep to gut health and more. However, while supplements can certainly be a good way to fill any nutrient gaps in your diet and target a range of needs, it’s important to remember that many of them also have their downsides.
As it turns out, many supplements are dangerous or simply ineffective. Staying aware of which options are better left on a shelf is a good way to look out for your health (and your wallet). So, to shed some light on one supplement that’s likely not worth your money, we spoke to Registered Dietitian Krutika Nanavati. She told us that Vitamin C supplements may be ineffective. Find all of her expert insight on the matter below.
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Why Vitamin C supplements may be useless
Vitamin C is an important nutrient for your overall health. It plays a crucial role in the formation of blood vessels, muscle, collagen, and cartilage. This vitamin may be best known for its immunity-boosting properties. It's even a common ingredient in skincare. All of this means that getting enough Vitamin C in your diet is always a good idea for your health. But Nanavati says that while vitamin C-rich foods are great, supplements, on the other hand, may be useless. "You don’t require mega doses of [vitamin C]," she tells us. "Nor does it really prevent you from common cold as per findings."
This is an important insight, as most vitamin C supplements on the market promise an immunity boost and protection from a range of illnesses. But, as Nanavati says, "there are no proven consistent effects people can get by taking Vitamin C routinely."
This is likely due in part to the fact that Vitamin C is water soluble: "Being water soluble, excess Vitamin C gets secreted through urine," Nanavati says. This means that if you go overboard with the supplementation and give your body more than it needs, you're not going to get extra immune support. You'll simply flush it out! For this reason, she tells us, "There is no need to add it as an extra supplement."
Another possible factor is the fact that synthetically-derived vitamin C supplements are "a lot different from the natural vitamin C compounds," and therefore aren't as easily absorbed as your body.
All in all, it's likely that you're not going to see many benefits form a vitamin C supplement. Instead, Nanavati says you should prioritize vitamin C-rich foods in your diet. "It's better to eat foods rich in vitamin C like strawberries, oranges, and broccoli," she suggests.
So, there you have it—save your money and stock up on oranges instead!
READ MORE: 2 Surprising Supplements That Can Damage Your Heart Health, According To Experts
