More About Vitamin C
Versatile Vitamin
Also known as ascorbate and ascorbic acid, vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that’s absolutely essential for our survival. A well-known antioxidant nutrient, vitamin C supports the immune system and is involved in tissue growth and repair due to its role in the formation of collagen, the body’s main structural protein.
Vitamin C is an electron donor, which is important for the synthesis of enzymes, and it’s a cofactor in the production of numerous essential biochemicals. Vitamin C is also involved in the synthesis of the amino acid carnitine, as well as various neurotransmitters.
There are various forms of vitamin C available, so you may be wondering what the best form of vitamin C is, or whether or not it even makes a difference. Because vitamin C is acidic you’ll often find vitamin C supplements that include mineral ascorbates, which are mineral salts of ascorbic acid that are buffered and therefore, less acidic.
There are also a number of natural substances that support and even enhance the absorption, bioavailability and benefits of vitamin C, including rutin, rose hips, and other natural sources of bioflavonoids.
The best form of vitamin C for you will depend on your lifestyle and health goals. Check with your health care provider or a certified nutritionist if you’re not sure what form is right for you.
Vitamin C
We offer a variety of vitamin C supplements for you and your family as well as several unique formulations.
- AlphaSorb-C® – AlphaSorb-C® (500 mg capsules) is a specialized vitamin C supplement that includes Transport C-PLUS®, a trademarked combination of threonic acid-enhanced, buffered calcium ascorbate and alpha-lipoic acid. Threonic acid is a vitamin C metabolite that has been shown to enhance cellular uptake of vitamin C. Alpha-lipoic acid is a free radical scavenger that can help regenerate vitamin C in the body, prolonging its availability, and may also enhance its utilization. AlphaSorb-C® is a well-absorbed and highly biologically available vitamin C supplement and is available in both 500 mg and 1000 mg potencies.
- Ascorbyl Palmitate – This highly stable form of vitamin C is soluble in both water and fat. This property allows Ascorbyl Palmitate to be incorporated into cell membranes where it helps to protect them from oxidative damage. While it possesses all of the antioxidant properties of vitamin C, it can also more easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier, facilitating the extension of its antioxidant protection to the brain and nervous system.
The NOW® Difference
Since 1968 NOW has been empowering people to lead healthier lives with our award-winning selection of dietary supplements and natural products. As one of the industry’s oldest and most established manufacturers we’ve developed long-standing relationships with the world’s best raw material suppliers, and we leverage these relations to ensure NOW products are produced using superior ingredients.
With our state-of-the-art, in-house laboratory facilities and more than 100 experts focused on ensuring our products meet our industry-leading commitment to quality, you can trust NOW for all your vitamin C supplement needs.
Now that you’ve learned more about the fantastic benefits of this popular vitamin, let’s find the best vitamin C supplement for your healthy lifestyle.
