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Does Vitamin C Powder Actually Work? (L-Ascorbic Acid)

   5 min read time

Nov 22, 2023

Description

If you have ever wondered if Vitamin C powder actually works, you have come to the right place.

In this article, we review scientific research and discuss the whole story about Vitamin C powder and how you could integrate it into your wellness plan.

So, to answer this question accurately, it is essential first to understand the difference between foods rich in Vitamin C that present their complex whole food matrix versus isolated versions and the purpose for why we created our Booster C Blend.

Vitamin C: L-Ascorbic Acid

There is a lot of confusion and misinformation about all the various forms presented in Vitamin C supplements (Ascorbic Acid, Buffered, Liposomal, and Ascorbyl palmitate) regarding:

  • absorption, 
  • plasma levels, and 
  • bioavailability.

So, let’s get some clarity on this topic.

  • All Vitamin C, aka L Ascorbic Acid, derived from a whole food matrix or synthetic sources, are chemically identical with no known differences in biological activity. 
  • Buffered (with minerals), liposomal (encased in fat), and ascorbyl palmitate (both fat and water soluble components) provide no extra benefit specifically to the utilization of Vitamin C other than being slightly less acidic in the digestive system. 
  • Ascorbyl Palmitate contains water and fat-soluble components, but the digestive system essentially strips away the fat-soluble part to derive the pure ascorbic acid.   

  • The research on this specific topic shows proof on both ends of the spectrum. 

    A review titled Synthetic or Food-Derived Vitamin C- Are they equally Bioavailable? It was stated,  

    All steady-state comparative bioavailability studies in humans have shown no differences between synthetic and natural vitamin C, regardless of the subject population, study design, or intervention used. Some human pharmacokinetic studies have shown transient and small comparative differences between synthetic and natural vitamin C, although these differences are likely to have minimal physiological impact. Study design issues and future research directions are discussed.” 

    A small human study showed that one gram of ascorbic acid was equally well absorbed in solutions, tablets, and chewable, but the absorption of a time-released capsule was 50% lower.  

    A larger study of 59 male smokers that supplemented 500 mg daily for two months of either ascorbic acid or a time-released version showed no significant difference in plasma levels between the two groups. 

    However, one small study did show that Vitamin C given in a natural citrus extract containing bioflavonoids, protein, and carbohydrates was more slowly absorbed and 35% more bioavailable. 

    Wholesome vs. Partsome

    Modern research confirms the importance of adding a variety of foods within the same class that contain a wide range of potent polyphenolic compounds to support the repair process from 

    the damage caused by stress, helping to create
    a more balanced internal environment. 

    Therefore, it should come as no surprise that adequately combined foods profoundly affect human health. 

    This concept is known as synergy. 

    When applying this concept to creating a blend of foods rich in Vitamin C, it is essential to know that the potent compounds in these foods have a broader spectrum and nourishing effect than any specific compound within that mixture. 

    When eaten as a whole food matrix, no individual compound works alone. Therefore, combining these foods provides more potent nourishment than consuming multiple isolated compounds. 

    As you search online or in the isles of a health store, you may notice a wide array of Vitamin C products. 

    Most of them will present as an isolated version of this nutrient, with other added compounds (like a buffered version containing ascorbic acid and the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium) with the purpose of making it more tolerable by the digestive system. Other products will present as a mixture of foods that provide a whole-food matrix of compounds so the human body can get the most nourishment from those foods. 

    Over the last 50 years, research has taught us that while isolated nutrients and standardized compounds are adequate when targeting specific mechanisms of action, they present significant challenges and pitfalls. 

    Those pitfalls occur because essential components are missing to provide a balanced and harmonious result. 

    For example, you can mix isolated ascorbic acid and bioflavonoids, hoping they will provide optimal levels of Vitamin C. Still, in the end, you have numerous isolated compounds that may produce significant plasma levels of ascorbic acid, but it will never provide you with the same nourishment you get from a whole-food matrix. 

    Booster C Blend: The Perfect Whole Food Vitamin C Matrix

    Z Natural Foods began by taking some of the most nourishing foods rich in what we call the “Vitamin C Complex” because they provide high levels of Vitamin C and a full array of supporting compounds. 

    The base ingredients in this food blend are:

    1. Acerola cherry, 
    2. Camu berry, and 
    3. Amla berry

    They are not only the three highest food sources of Vitamin C, but they also contain a tremendous diversity of polyphenolic compounds, providing a superior level of nourishment. 

    But more was needed when wanting to create an optimal food blend for our customers. 

    We then added a food that we consider to be highly nourishing but very underrated: 

    Rosehips

    It is prevalent to see rosehips added to an isolated vitamin C formula as a bioflavinoid, but it is much more. Rosehips are not only a quality source of the essential fatty acid ALA and a powerhouse in potent polyphenolic compounds like lycopene, tocopherols, and quercetin but contain around 3 grams per kilogram of ascorbic acid

    While those ingredients should have been enough, we decided to take it up one more notch by adding one of nature's most potent foods with more than 120 phyto compounds, including a full spectrum of omega 3, 6, 7, and 9 essential fatty acids; 

    Sea Buckthorn

    The purpose of this formula is not only to support healthy Vitamin C levels but also to provide extraordinary levels of nourishment that you won’t get from isolates

    Contrary to popular belief, the end result is not all that matters. How you get there and avoid the potential damage in that process is equally important. 

    In simple terms, the sum of the parts is not equal to the whole because the whole functions differently than the parts as individual entities. 

    But wait, there’s more….

    If you believe in the concept of a match made in heaven, we have another treat for you. 

    Like a fine wine paired with food to make a perfect meal, one of our priorities when creating a product formula is the potential for pairing it with other individual products and formulas. 

    While many individual items in our line would pair well with our Booster C Blend, perhaps the best item is our IMMU-C immune support formula. Our IMMU-C formula is a wide range of foods, herbs, tonics, and mushrooms traditionally used in various medicinal modalities to provide a wide range of nourishing compounds. 


    These two formulas are the perfect combination to provide nutritional support for  

  • Nourishing, balancing, and restoring your body to good health.
  • Supporting a healthy inflammation response.
  • Supporting a healthy immune system response.
  • Supporting a healthy stress response and feeling of calmness.

  • Here at Z Natural Foods, we are all about bringing our customers the highest quality of nourishment. We take the time to hand-pick specific ingredients that work well synergistically to produce a well-balanced product that nourishes and creates an optimally supportive environment for your body to adapt and thrive during your most stressful times. Because we believe in the importance of supporting through abundant nourishment, that is one of the primary goals we look at when developing a product, and this is what we did when creating Booster C Blend.

    For more information about our Organic Booster C blend, go here:

    Organic Booster C Blend

    For more information about our Organic IMMU-C blend, go here:

    Organic IMMU-C Blend

    Description

    If you have ever wondered if Vitamin C powder actually works, you have come to the right place.

    In this article, we review scientific research and discuss the whole story about Vitamin C powder and how you could integrate it into your wellness plan.

    So, to answer this question accurately, it is essential first to understand the difference between foods rich in Vitamin C that present their complex whole food matrix versus isolated versions and the purpose for why we created our Booster C Blend.

    Vitamin C: L-Ascorbic Acid

    There is a lot of confusion and misinformation about all the various forms presented in Vitamin C supplements (Ascorbic Acid, Buffered, Liposomal, and Ascorbyl palmitate) regarding:

    • absorption, 
    • plasma levels, and 
    • bioavailability.

    So, let’s get some clarity on this topic.

  • All Vitamin C, aka L Ascorbic Acid, derived from a whole food matrix or synthetic sources, are chemically identical with no known differences in biological activity. 
  • Buffered (with minerals), liposomal (encased in fat), and ascorbyl palmitate (both fat and water soluble components) provide no extra benefit specifically to the utilization of Vitamin C other than being slightly less acidic in the digestive system. 
  • Ascorbyl Palmitate contains water and fat-soluble components, but the digestive system essentially strips away the fat-soluble part to derive the pure ascorbic acid.   

  • The research on this specific topic shows proof on both ends of the spectrum. 

    A review titled Synthetic or Food-Derived Vitamin C- Are they equally Bioavailable? It was stated,  

    All steady-state comparative bioavailability studies in humans have shown no differences between synthetic and natural vitamin C, regardless of the subject population, study design, or intervention used. Some human pharmacokinetic studies have shown transient and small comparative differences between synthetic and natural vitamin C, although these differences are likely to have minimal physiological impact. Study design issues and future research directions are discussed.” 

    A small human study showed that one gram of ascorbic acid was equally well absorbed in solutions, tablets, and chewable, but the absorption of a time-released capsule was 50% lower.  

    A larger study of 59 male smokers that supplemented 500 mg daily for two months of either ascorbic acid or a time-released version showed no significant difference in plasma levels between the two groups. 

    However, one small study did show that Vitamin C given in a natural citrus extract containing bioflavonoids, protein, and carbohydrates was more slowly absorbed and 35% more bioavailable. 

    Wholesome vs. Partsome

    Modern research confirms the importance of adding a variety of foods within the same class that contain a wide range of potent polyphenolic compounds to support the repair process from 

    the damage caused by stress, helping to create
    a more balanced internal environment. 

    Therefore, it should come as no surprise that adequately combined foods profoundly affect human health. 

    This concept is known as synergy. 

    When applying this concept to creating a blend of foods rich in Vitamin C, it is essential to know that the potent compounds in these foods have a broader spectrum and nourishing effect than any specific compound within that mixture. 

    When eaten as a whole food matrix, no individual compound works alone. Therefore, combining these foods provides more potent nourishment than consuming multiple isolated compounds. 

    As you search online or in the isles of a health store, you may notice a wide array of Vitamin C products. 

    Most of them will present as an isolated version of this nutrient, with other added compounds (like a buffered version containing ascorbic acid and the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium) with the purpose of making it more tolerable by the digestive system. Other products will present as a mixture of foods that provide a whole-food matrix of compounds so the human body can get the most nourishment from those foods. 

    Over the last 50 years, research has taught us that while isolated nutrients and standardized compounds are adequate when targeting specific mechanisms of action, they present significant challenges and pitfalls. 

    Those pitfalls occur because essential components are missing to provide a balanced and harmonious result. 

    For example, you can mix isolated ascorbic acid and bioflavonoids, hoping they will provide optimal levels of Vitamin C. Still, in the end, you have numerous isolated compounds that may produce significant plasma levels of ascorbic acid, but it will never provide you with the same nourishment you get from a whole-food matrix. 

    Booster C Blend: The Perfect Whole Food Vitamin C Matrix

    Z Natural Foods began by taking some of the most nourishing foods rich in what we call the “Vitamin C Complex” because they provide high levels of Vitamin C and a full array of supporting compounds. 

    The base ingredients in this food blend are:

    1. Acerola cherry, 
    2. Camu berry, and 
    3. Amla berry

    They are not only the three highest food sources of Vitamin C, but they also contain a tremendous diversity of polyphenolic compounds, providing a superior level of nourishment. 

    But more was needed when wanting to create an optimal food blend for our customers. 

    We then added a food that we consider to be highly nourishing but very underrated: 

    Rosehips

    It is prevalent to see rosehips added to an isolated vitamin C formula as a bioflavinoid, but it is much more. Rosehips are not only a quality source of the essential fatty acid ALA and a powerhouse in potent polyphenolic compounds like lycopene, tocopherols, and quercetin but contain around 3 grams per kilogram of ascorbic acid

    While those ingredients should have been enough, we decided to take it up one more notch by adding one of nature's most potent foods with more than 120 phyto compounds, including a full spectrum of omega 3, 6, 7, and 9 essential fatty acids; 

    Sea Buckthorn

    The purpose of this formula is not only to support healthy Vitamin C levels but also to provide extraordinary levels of nourishment that you won’t get from isolates

    Contrary to popular belief, the end result is not all that matters. How you get there and avoid the potential damage in that process is equally important. 

    In simple terms, the sum of the parts is not equal to the whole because the whole functions differently than the parts as individual entities. 

    But wait, there’s more….

    If you believe in the concept of a match made in heaven, we have another treat for you. 

    Like a fine wine paired with food to make a perfect meal, one of our priorities when creating a product formula is the potential for pairing it with other individual products and formulas. 

    While many individual items in our line would pair well with our Booster C Blend, perhaps the best item is our IMMU-C immune support formula. Our IMMU-C formula is a wide range of foods, herbs, tonics, and mushrooms traditionally used in various medicinal modalities to provide a wide range of nourishing compounds. 


    These two formulas are the perfect combination to provide nutritional support for  

  • Nourishing, balancing, and restoring your body to good health.
  • Supporting a healthy inflammation response.
  • Supporting a healthy immune system response.
  • Supporting a healthy stress response and feeling of calmness.

  • Here at Z Natural Foods, we are all about bringing our customers the highest quality of nourishment. We take the time to hand-pick specific ingredients that work well synergistically to produce a well-balanced product that nourishes and creates an optimally supportive environment for your body to adapt and thrive during your most stressful times. Because we believe in the importance of supporting through abundant nourishment, that is one of the primary goals we look at when developing a product, and this is what we did when creating Booster C Blend.

    For more information about our Organic Booster C blend, go here:

    Organic Booster C Blend

    For more information about our Organic IMMU-C blend, go here:

    Organic IMMU-C Blend

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