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Everything You Need to Know About Doing a Vitamin C Flush
What are the purported benefits?
Some people look to a vitamin C flush when they want a rapid detoxification or to recover quickly from an illness.
People who recommend a vitamin C flush as a detox method claim that it:
- boosts the body’s vitamin C stores
- determines how much vitamin C the body needs every day
- leaves the body feeling refreshed and energized
Vitamin C is believed to:
- have anti-aging properties
- boost the immune system
- help the body absorb minerals
- protect the body from chemical toxins
- help the body ward off infection
What does the research say?
Although there are many anecdotal claims about the benefits of a vitamin C flush, there isn’t any scientific evidence to support any of the above benefits.
According to Vanessa Rissetto, registered dietitian, the only reason to do a vitamin C flush would be to correct a vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy. Vitamin C deficiency primarily affects people who live on a low income.
Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency include:
- muscle pain or weakness
- fatigue
- fever
- bruising
- loss of appetite
- bleeding or swollen gums
- sores in your mouth
- unexplained rash or red spots
If you suspect that you have a deficiency, see your doctor. They can assess your symptoms and make a diagnosis.
If you want to do a vitamin C flush
Although there aren’t any scientific reasons to do a vitamin C flush, it’s probably safe for healthy adults to do one. You should always talk to your doctor before performing a vitamin C flush.
Important things to remember before you carry out a vitamin C flush:
- You can eat normally throughout the process.
- Do the flush on a day you’re at home (so you can be near the bathroom).
- If you have a sensitive stomach, take a buffered ascorbate powder that’s bound to minerals like calcium and magnesium.
- Keep your water intake up to replace lost fluids.
- A loose stool is not sufficient — it has to be a watery stool.
Potential side effects and risks
During a flush, you may experience:
- bloating gas
- heartburn
You should never do a vitamin C flush without your doctor’s supervision. Consuming large doses of vitamin C and abruptly stopping can cause severe complications.
In some cases, flush-related diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration. Because of this, Sue Decotiis, MD, warns that children, women who are pregnant, and adults over age 65 should never attempt a vitamin C flush.
You should also avoid doing a flush if you have:
- hemochromatosis
- Gilbert’s disease
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- hepatitis
- kidney problems
It’s important to note that over-the-counter (OTC) vitamins can vary in quality. According to Dr. Decotiis, third-party tests often find tremendous differences in potency, purity, and efficacy within different batches of the same product. You should only purchase vitamin C from a trusted manufacturer.
Talk to your doctor first
If you’re thinking about doing a vitamin C flush, talk to your doctor first. They can help determine whether a vitamin C flush would be beneficial for you, and the potential risks you may face if you choose to do so.