HOSA Nutrition Assessment 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Vitamin C toxicity, while rare, can lead to several specific symptoms due to excessive consumption of this water-soluble vitamin. The primary symptoms associated with vitamin C toxicity typically include gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhea. This occurs because unabsorbed vitamin C in the intestine draws water into the bowel and stimulates gastrointestinal motility, leading to loose stools or diarrhea.

Additionally, other symptoms might include abdominal cramping or discomfort due to the increased gastrointestinal activity. High doses of vitamin C can also lead to nausea, although diarrhea is more commonly reported as a key symptom of toxicity. These symptoms are the body's way of indicating that the intake of vitamin C has exceeded what can be efficiently utilized or processed.

The other options focus on unrelated symptoms or conditions. Increased energy and alertness may be associated with various other factors but are not indicative of vitamin C toxicity. Weight gain and insomnia do not correlate with vitamin C levels. Similarly, headache and dizziness are nonspecific symptoms that could arise from various causes but are not direct symptoms of vitamin C toxicity. Hence, diarrhea and GI upset stand out as the definitive symptoms of excessive vitamin C intake, confirming that option B is the most accurate choice.