When to Take Vitamin C
The complete timing guide for Vitamin C: best time of day, with or without food, and how to avoid common mistakes that reduce effectiveness.
Quick Answer
Best time to take Vitamin C: Morning. Best taken with food. Split doses work well for higher amounts (500mg+ daily)
Recommended Schedule
Food Requirements
Food reduces stomach upset. Not required for absorption.
Splitting Your Dose
Absorption drops above 200mg per dose. Split 500mg+ into 2-3 doses.
What to Take With & Avoid
Take With
- Iron supplements - dramatically increases iron absorption
- Collagen - essential for collagen synthesis
- Vitamin E - regenerates oxidized vitamin E
Avoid / Separate From
- Very high doses (2g+) if prone to kidney stones
- Iron-containing meals if you're trying to limit iron absorption
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Taking 1000mg+ at once - most gets excreted, split doses are better
- Mega-dosing without reason - above 500mg/day has diminishing returns
- Not considering form - buffered/liposomal may be worth it for large doses
Pro Tips
- Absorption maxes out around 200mg per dose - split larger amounts
- Take with iron to boost iron absorption 2-3x
- Buffered vitamin C (calcium ascorbate) is gentler on stomach
- Liposomal vitamin C has better absorption at high doses
Duration & Consistency
How Long to Take
Daily is fine. Water-soluble, not stored, needs regular intake.
Consistency Matters
Regular intake maintains tissue saturation. Effects of missing doses are gradual.
Time to See Results
Blood levels rise within hours. Immune effects ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
RDA is 75-90mg. Most people benefit from 200-500mg. Above 1000mg, absorption drops significantly.
Other Timing Guides
About this information: Our analysis of Vitamin C is based on peer-reviewed research from PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and NIH databases. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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