Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. It is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for the growth and development of your cells and immune system, states Medline Plus. Any vitamin that is not used by the body immediately is flushed out through the kidneys and urine. Vitamin C functions to form collagen in the skin, helps to heal wounds, repairs damaged cartilage, bone and teeth and is an antioxidant that may block some damage to DNA caused toxins in the body. The body does not manufacture nor store vitamin C so it is essential to include it in your diet daily.
Vitamin C
Although it is sold under the umbrella name of vitamin C, ascorbic acid can be found in a number of different forms. Jane Higdon, R.N., Ph.D, at Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University outlines several of these different forms and describes the bioavailability of each. Bioavailability is the degree to which a nutrient is available to the body tissue after it has been ingested. There are natural and synthetic forms of vitamin C and it can be delivered as a tablet, powder or chewable tablet. The vitamin is bound to a mineral in most preparations to reduce abdominal pain and discomfort from the ascorbic acid.
Ingredients
Ester-C is a trademarked blend of vitamin C made mostly of calcium ascorbate. According to Higdon, this form of vitamin C is bound to the mineral calcium, as opposed to the seven other mineral choices. Each type of mineral binding is associated with a different recommended daily allowance. Calcium ascorbate is well absorbed and 1,000 mg delivers between 890 and 910 mg of ascorbic acid and 90 to 110 mg of calcium.
Ester-C
Ester C contains calcium ascorbate and metabolites -- a group of chemicals that result from the metabolism of vitamin C. In the manufacturers literature they claim that these additional ingredients are responsible for an increased amount of bioavailability of their product to the body. According to Higdon, one study has been completed since 2000 in which eight women and one man were subjects. The study found no difference in bioavailability and the study was not published in a peer review journal.
Safety and Tolerance
In a study published in 2006 in "Advanced Therapy," researchers led by J. Gruenwald found that Ester-C caused statistically significant fewer stomach side effects in people who were sensitive to acidic foods than did ascorbic acid. The study occurred over nine days, during which the participants took 1,000 mg of ascorbic acid or 1,000 mg of Ester-C and used a diary to record their results.
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