Dosage Lookup
Vitamin C
Moderate
consensus
Consensus Protocol
Dosage
- 250-1,000mg daily for general health
- Hyman recommends 500-1,000mg for immune support and detoxification
- Johnson takes vitamin C alongside iron in his morning stack
- Patrick notes that oral doses above 200mg have diminishing returns in plasma levels due to absorption limits
- For therapeutic IV use (sepsis, cancer adjunct), much higher doses are administered under medical supervision
Form
- Ascorbic acid is the most common and well-studied oral form
- Liposomal vitamin C may offer modestly better absorption than standard ascorbic acid
- For skin health, topical L-ascorbic acid serum (stabilized formulation) is recommended by Attia's guests
- IV sodium ascorbate is used for therapeutic applications
Timing
- Can be taken any time of day with or without food
- Johnson takes it in the morning with his supplement stack
- Pair with iron-rich foods or supplements to enhance iron absorption
- Topical vitamin C serum is best applied in the morning before sunscreen for antioxidant protection
Notes
- Most people can obtain adequate vitamin C from a diet rich in citrus fruits, bell peppers, kiwis, strawberries, and leafy greens
- Supplementation is most beneficial for those with inadequate dietary intake, high stress levels, smokers, or those recovering from illness
- Hyman emphasizes whole food sources like kiwis and peppers over synthetic supplements for sleep-related benefits
- Doses above 2,000mg daily may increase kidney stone risk in susceptible individuals
Expert Positions
What Each Expert Says
Huberman covers vitamin C in two main contexts: immune support and skin health. In his colds and flu episode, he notes that high-dose vitamin C has shown limited effectiveness compared to zinc and NAC, which he considers more promising immune supplements. In his skin health episode, he recommends supplementing with vitamin C alongside niacinamide and collagen-rich sources like bone broth as part of nutritional support for healthy, youthful-looking skin. His overall stance is that vitamin C has a role but is not a priority supplement.
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