Vitamin C Supplements – Needs and Benefits

Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin and an excellent antioxidant. It is required for boosting immune system, healthy bones as well as formation of collagen. It also plays a key role in regulating blood cholesterol and proper wound healing.

Human bodies do not synthesize Vitamin C; therefore, it is consumed in the form of food sources and supplements. When we consume Vitamin C, the body absorbs the required amount for promoting healthy body functions and throws away the remaining amount in the form of urine. This is because it is a water soluble vitamin and cannot stay in the body for longer.

Vitamin C supplements, therefore, are required by humans to cope with the nutritional requirement. These supplements are especially required by those who are picky eaters and those who intake a poor and unhealthy diet. High quality vitamin supplements are more easily managed for reliable consumption. Most of these supplements are available in form of various mineral ascorbates.

Mineral ascorbates, mineral salts of ascorbic acid, are buffered and less acidic. Many people suffering from gastrointestinal problems are advised to take this form of ascorbic acid to meet their nutritional requirement.

Vitamin C supplements are also available in various other forms like Ester-C and Bioflavonoid. Ester-C comprises calcium ascorbate along with small amounts of the vitamin C metabolites dehydroascorbic acid, calcium threonate, and traces of xylonate and lyxonate. These supplements help in easy absorption and excretion of waste.

Bioflavonoids are naturally present in combination with vitamin C in fresh fruit and vegetables. These naturally present forms of Vitamin C aids in enhancing the uptake and absorption of Vitamin C, protecting the vitamin against oxidation and preventing inflammation.

The US Government sets RDA of vitamin C at 75-90 mg/day for non-smoking adults, 110-125 mg/day for smokers, 15-45 mg/day for children, 85 mg/day for pregnant women and 125 mg/day for lactating mothers. The supplements normally contain 25mg-1500mg of Vitamin C based upon the form and formulation.