5 replies to this topic

[DO1234]

I did a lot of research last night into the best type/brand of Vitamin C to supplement and I think I'm more confused than when I began. What do all of you use, why and where did you buy it?

[bobman]

I did a lot of research last night into the best type/brand of Vitamin C to supplement and I think I'm more confused than when I began. What do all of you use, why and where did you buy it?

I am not a fan of vitamin supplements in general (except for methylb12 and folate, those are effective). Synthetic ascorbic acid isn't shown to do anything positive in the body. You could go for some bioflavanoid mix, but again, there isn't much saying that it works.

I would personally go for a Camu-Camu powder, and mix it in to your morning water. It isn't easy to find a good/cheap (and pure) source, but it can be done. As for the "why": http://www.mskcc.org.../html/94436.cfm (the japanese study conducted with 1050mg of vitamin c from camu-camu or a synthetic vitamin).

[VampIyer]

That study suggests that Camu-Camu is beneficial, but not necessarily that vitamin C is inactive by itself. There are other bio-actives within Camu which could have accounted for the benefits seen in the study. For instance, if they had isolated the Vitamin C derived from Camu, it'd have no different an effect than regular Vitamin C. I'm going to assume that Amla, which is rich in Vitamin C, may carry some additional beneficial properties as well (as it is reputed to).

In any case, interesting info on the Camu.

That said, there are some practical uses for Vitamin C.
I use it as an acid to increase absorption of iron, of which I am deficient. There are definitely some positive studies on vitamin C, it's the mega-dosing that should be under scrutiny.

http://www.iherb.com...ablets/159?at=0 - I was using this Vitamin C, but the price has increased by 50 cents. It never was the best deal around to begin with... I just like Jarrow.

http://www.iherb.com...psules/154?at=0 - so I was thinking about switching to this, which is inexpensive and includes a great Olive Extract, but no bioflavonoids (I'm not sure I care. My diet has flavonoids, and so does my multi)

OR I could just go with one of the many NOW FOODS brand Vitamin C products, most of which include the bioflavonoids.

If you wanted to go the whole-food route as Bobmann is suggesting, then

http://www.iherb.com...Vcaps/7260?at=0 - NOW offers this
http://www.iherb.com...80-g/17628?at=0 - and this Madre Labs product is an expensive option, but it has the Camu Camu...

So there you go... I like Jarrow and NOW, but there are clearly other options and opinions.

Edit: I just realized that perhaps the original poster is inquiring about types of Vitamin C (Ester-C vs mineral-buffered vitamin C vs regular ascorbic acid). Well... In my experience: Ester-C is overpriced, but a regular buffered vitamin C might be easier on the stomach than plain ascorbic acid. If you want a buffered Vitamin C, then you could even go for a powdered version (hopefully with magnesium as one of the buffers... something like this: http://www.iherb.com...27-g/18423?at=0 ).

Edited by VampIyer, 11 March 2010 - 09:28 AM.

[pycnogenol]

I use the Thorne Research brand of vitamin C and I get it at iHerb.

http://www.iherb.com...Caps/18467?at=0

Edited by pycnogenol, 11 March 2010 - 04:22 PM.

[nancyd]

I take half of the daily dose as Ascorbyl Palmitate because it's fat soluble. The other half is calcium ascorbate. I use Now brand from iherb.

[zm3thod]

I like NOW Alpha-sorb C from iherb

http://www.iherb.com...0-Tablets/11838

Vitamin C (from Threonic Acid Enhanced Buffered Calcium Ascorbate) 1.0 g
Calcium (from Buffered Calcium Ascorbate) 120 mg
Alpha Lipoic Acid 100 mg
Citrus Bioflavonoids (37% total bioflavonoids as Hesperidin) 75 mg
Acerola Powder 25 mg
Rose Hips Powder (Rosa canina) (Seed) 25 mg
Rutin 25 mg



The other C I take is Natural Factors Time Release Vitamin C
http://www.iherb.com...80-Tablets/2556
Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) 1000 mg
Calcium 25 mg
Citrus Bioflavonoids 200 mg
Hesperidin 25 mg


It's not uncommon for me to add NOW Bioflavonoids and Jarrow Quercetin
http://www.iherb.com...50-Capsules/440
http://www.iherb.com...00-Capsules/120

Also messing with LEF Optimized Quercetin
http://www.iherb.com...ggie-Caps/17716

Edited by zm3thod, 12 March 2010 - 09:03 PM.