Vitamin C can worsen psoriasis

September 12, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a healthy and active 67-year-old male. Several years ago I developed psoriasis on my right forearm, left ankle and other minor places on my chest and back. I went to my family doctor who prescribed a cream (hydrocortisone). The irritations receded but did not go away. I also went to see a skin specialist who prescribed a stronger cream which also did not improve the problem much.

About four months ago I started counting my vitamin C intake. Since I exercise a lot (usually 16-20 hours of vigorous exercise per week by climbing, swimming, biking and cross-country skiing), I became concerned about taking enough vitamin C. After counting my amount, I was surprised to find that it came out to 3000% of the recommended daily dose. I decided to cut back to 1000% and within five days all my skin irritations were gone.
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Vitamin C keeps a 60-something looking young

October 28, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, you suggested vitamin C for collagen synthesis. Would a C supplement be helpful to prevent skin wrinkles, which I understand are associated with collagen breakdown? I take 500 mg a day of vitamin C and have relatively few wrinkles at age 66.

DEAR READER: Three years ago, CBS News reported the findings of a study to determine the impact of nutrients from foods rather than supplements for skin aging. It was found that people who ate vitamin C-rich foods had fewer wrinkles than did people who ate substantially fewer foods containing C, proving that we are what we eat. [Read more...]

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Broken blood vessels plague reader

May 4, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I read an article about a person who broke blood vessels frequently. I used to break them at least three times a week, so my doctor ran blood tests. She told me to increase my vitamin C intake, which I did. But what really helped was when I started drinking tart cherry-juice concentrate, usually taken for joint pain. I still break blood vessels but not as frequently and only in my fingers or toes.

DEAR READER: A contusion or bruise occurs when tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin are damaged or broken. This is often the result of a direct blow to the skin, such as hitting a hand or shin against a piece of furniture. Blood leaks from the injured blood vessels into the surrounding tissues, and a colorful bruise results. We tend to bruise much more readily as we age, perhaps because blood vessels become more fragile and skin thins. Also, a number of medications, including aspirin and anticoagulants, can cause bruising at the slightest pressure.
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Daily Column

April 11, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I enjoy your column and want to respond to the person with bruise-looking blotches. I, too, had the condition. I went to a health food store where I was told to take 1000 mg vitamin C complex or grape seed capsules. I take the complex twice daily and have not had a problem since, unless I fall or hit something hard.

DEAR READER:
Spontaneous bruising, a common consequence of aging and vitamin C deficiency, should be medically evaluated with appropriate blood tests to check clotting factors. This is a relatively inexpensive procedure and, in some patients, will show a clotting deficiency. While your bruising responded to vitamin C, I recommend you speak with your primary care physician for his opinion.

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