Vitamin C is a widely used supplement to help boost immunity in the winter months

Doctors have issued a warning to people who take vitamin C supplements, urging people to stop taking or reduce their dosage if they experience unusual symptoms.

Vitamin C is a commonly used supplement and often reached for to try and bat away coughs and colds during the winter months.

It can not only help boost the immune system, but aid with the absorption of iron and works to maintain healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage.

According to Mayo Clinic, sources of vitamin C include berries, cantaloupe, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, spinach and citrus fruits, such as oranges.

Most people get enough vitamin C from their diet, yet people who smoke or are around secondhand smoke; have certain digestive conditions or types of can:cer or have a diet lacking in fruit and vegetables are more likely to be deficient.

So how much vitamin C should we be getting?

Mayo Clinic explain that in general, experts suggest that women get 75 mg of vitamin C a day and men get 90 mg.

They add: “Pregnant people should aim to get 85 mg a day. People who breastfeed their babies should try to get 120 mg a day. Children usually need less daily vitamin C than adults. The exact amount depends on their age.”

Still, if you consume too much vitamin C, you may notice these four symptoms.

High doses of the supplement are anything over 1,000mg per day and – according to the NHS – if you experience diarrhoea, nausea, flatulence or cramps, stopping the supplement altogether, or reducing the dosage, should see symptoms ease off.

Additionally, it’s important to be aware that too much vitamin C can also increase the risk of kidney stones.

Kidney stones are usually found in the kidneys or the ureter and can be pretty painful. They can also lead to kidney infections.

“Your body will absorb any Vitamin C in your diet and convert it to oxalate, which then goes on to form stones in your kidneys. You should not need to take vitamin supplements if you have a varied diet including fruit and vegetables,” the NHS explains.

Though some kidney stones go unnoticed, symptoms of larger ones, which are more likely to lead to problems, include:

pain in the side of the abdomen
a high fever
feeling sweaty
severe pain, that can come and go
nausea
vomiting
blood in your urine
urine infection