Can You Take Vitamin C and D Together?

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin needed for the growth and repair of tissues. It helps heal wounds and produce collagen, a protein the body needs to make skin and blood vessels. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for bone growth and proper functioning of the nerves, muscles, and immune system.

It’s generally safe to take vitamin C and D together. Taking both vitamins within the recommended doses may enhance certain effects, especially on the immune system.

Taking vitamin C and D together may enhance their individual effects, benefiting your immune system, bone health, and other systems.

Boosts Immune Support

Consuming adequate amounts of vitamin C and D is important for a properly functioning immune system. Vitamin C supplements can help enhance immune function and prevent infections, such as viral infections.

Vitamin D has been found to boost the body’s immunity against infection due to its ability to fight inflammation and limit unwanted immune responses.

Because of the well-established immune-boosting effects of vitamin C and D, taking both together can enhance immune support, especially in preventing infections.

May Help Fight Viral Infections

Some studies have found that vitamin C treatment has some antiviral effects. Taking vitamin C regularly may also help to shorten the duration of common colds.

Vitamin D has also been found to reduce the risk of viral infections by improving the body’s physical barrier, like the skin and mucous membranes, against viruses. Vitamin D can also help reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections in children and adults.

May Promote Faster Wound Healing

Research shows vitamin D can promote the regrowth of skin cells, which can facilitate wound repair while minimizing scarring.

Vitamin C is important in wound healing. Studies show that vitamin C increases the expression of wound-healing factors. Taking vitamin C and D together may potentially promote faster wound healing.

Improves Bone Health

Combined vitamin C and D deficiency may result in lower bone mineral density and a higher risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin C and D deficiency are more common in older adults.

Research suggests that combining vitamin C and D supplements can help suppress bone loss and promote healthier bones. Additionally, taking vitamin C and D may increase protection against osteoporosis and fractures.

May Reduce Complications During Chemotherapy

Vitamin C and D treatment may help improve outcomes in people receiving chemotherapy. In one study, both vitamins were associated with fewer complications during chemotherapy in people with leukemia. More studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

The recommended daily amount of vitamin D, based on age and pregnancy status, is as follows:

• Age 14 and under: 10-15 micrograms (mcg), or about 400-600 international units (UI)
• Ages 14 to 70: 15 mcg (600 IU)
• Age 70 and older: 20 mcg (800 IU)
• During pregnancy: 15 mcg (600 IU)

The recommended daily amount of vitamin C, based on age and pregnancy status, is as follows:

• 0 to 6 months: 40 milligrams (mg)
• 7 to 12 months: 50 mg
• 1 to 3 years: 15 mg
• 4 to 8 years: 25 mg
• 9 to 13 years: 45 mg
• 14 to 18 years: 65–75 mg
• 19 and older: 75-90 mg
• During pregnancy: 80 mg

People who smoke often require about 35 milligrams more vitamin C than people who do not.

Higher vitamin C intake can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps. Up to 2-3 grams of vitamin C daily has been safely used. 

Take vitamin C with caution if you have hemochromatosis, a condition in which your body absorbs too much iron from your food. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron, which can cause people with hemochromatosis to absorb dangerous iron levels.

Taking very high doses of vitamin D—100 micrograms (4,000 IU)—can lead to muscle weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, confusion, pain, dehydration, excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones. 

Vitamin D can also interact with medications like diuretics, orlistat, statins, and steroids. Talk to your healthcare provider about your medications to ensure they do not interact.  

While the combination of vitamin C and D has no known side effects, each supplement has individual side effects that you may want to consider.

Some side effects of vitamin C include:

• Diarrhea 
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Flushing
• Headache
• Gas

Some side effects of vitamin D include:

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation

It is best to meet your vitamin C and vitamin D requirements from foods. If you cannot meet your required intake through food, dietary supplements may help. If you smoke or have a health condition like malabsorption syndrome that prevents your body from absorbing vitamins, your healthcare provider might also recommend supplements. 

Researchers have found that taking vitamin D supplements with fat-rich foods can increase absorption. An older study recommended taking a vitamin D supplement when you are having your largest meal of the day to improve absorption.

Cooking or storing foods rich in vitamin C for a long time can reduce their vitamin C content. Sunlight can also reduce the vitamin C content of your supplement. Store supplements in a cool, dark area away from sunlight.

Taking vitamin C and D together is generally safe if you do not exceed the maximum recommended doses of each. Vitamin C and D may help boost the immune system, promote faster wound healing, reduce bone loss, and offer other benefits.

While there are no known drug interactions between vitamin C and D, they may interact with certain medications. Tell your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking before adding vitamin C and D supplements.