Penn & Teller: Bullshit! - Alternative Medicine

[amy31416]

So when I don't drink enough and my urine is yellow it's because I absorbed vitamin c from the air, I suppose?

Isn't the purpose of anti-oxidant vitamins to rid the body of contaminants? What better way than urination?

Believe whatever you like, it's your money to blow. If you take 1,000 mg of vitamin C, and your body can only use 40 mg, then 960 mg of that supplement is promptly processed by the kidneys and excreted in your urine.

If you think it magically detoxifies you. Fine. On the other hand, there's more than a bit of evidence that it does some damage on the way out, as mega-doses of anything would.

Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant, you going to mega-dose on that too?

 

[yongrel]

So when I don't drink enough and my urine is yellow it's because I absorbed vitamin c from the air, I suppose?

Isn't the purpose of anti-oxidant vitamins to rid the body of contaminants? What better way than urination?

Don't come cryin' to me when your kidneys explode.

 

[tmosley]

There are many different sources for urine color. From Wikipedia:

Yellowing/light Orange may be caused by removal of excess B vitamins from the bloodstream.
Certain medications such as rifampin and pyridium can cause orange urine.
Bloody urine is termed hematuria and is a symptom that requires medical attention. (This could also be a sign of a bladder infection, which also requires medical attention)
Dark orange to brown urine can be a symptom of jaundice or Gilbert's syndrome.
Black or dark-colored urine is referred to as melanuria and may be caused by a melanoma.
Reddish or brown urine may be caused by porphyria.
Flourescent Yellow / Greenish urine may be caused by taking dietary supplemental vitamins
Dark yellow urine is usually caused by dehydration.