Exploring Metallic Smell on Skin from High-Dose Vitamin C Intake
A user experiences a metallic smell on skin after taking 1,000 mg of Vitamin C, questioning its cause. The assistant discusses potential side effects, lack of evidence linking the smell to Vitamin C, and suggests consulting a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
one gram doses of vitamin c make fingers smell metallic?
This isn't from the powder itself being on the skin, I've checked. it definitely enters my bloodstream and a few hrs later my fingers smell like coins and musk. the same smell is found in the glass which I use to drink it, but again, I tried a patch test on the forearm and nothing.
Taking large doses of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), especially above 1,000 mg per day, can lead to side effects. Commonly reported side effects include gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps due to the osmotic effect of unabsorbed vitamin C12. However, there is no direct evidence or documentation in the authoritative sources reviewed that links a metallic smell in the body or on skin with high doses of Vitamin C intake.
A possible explanation might be related to changes in metabolism or biochemistry when a high dose is consumed, but this specific symptom is not widely reported or recognized in medical literature34. It’s worth considering other possibilities such as interactions with other supplements or foods, individual metabolic variations, or even other environmental factors.
If this symptom persists or causes concern, it could be beneficial to discuss it with a healthcare professional to rule out any other underlying conditions or interactions with other supplements or medications you may be taking.
Footnotes
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Mayo Clinic, "How much vitamin C is too much?" Mayo Clinic, 2022. ↩
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Office of Dietary Supplements, "Vitamin C Health Professional Fact Sheet," ODS, 2021. ↩
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Mayo Clinic, "How much vitamin C is too much?" Mayo Clinic, 2022. ↩