Before Taking Ascorbic Acid
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ascorbic acid, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ascorbic acid products. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: chemotherapy medications, fluphenazine, and niacin taken in combination with simvastatin . Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had medical conditions.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking ascorbic acid, call your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of ascorbic acid and you may need to take a larger dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your dose of ascorbic acid if you use tobacco products.
What About Powder To Diy My Own Vitamin C Benefits
Got too many skin potions already? You can add a daily pinch of vitamin C powder to an existing serum or moisturizer in your routine.
You may have seen some skin care lines touting C powders, like Philosophys turbo booster version, which is nearly 100 percent ascorbic acid. Or you can snag a food-grade supplement powder, like NutriBiotic, at your favorite vitamin retailer for a fraction of the cost.
| Pros of vitamin C powders | Cons of vitamin C powders |
| inexpensive if purchasing as a supplement | not as convenient |
| adjustable | could cause irritation at high concentrations |
| longer shelf life in powder form | may not stay as sanitary over time |
Keep in mind that the combo of vitamin C with other specific ingredients, like vitamin E and ferulic acid, are what help stabilize it and allow your skin to absorb it.
So, playing chemist in your bathroom with your own array of products may not produce the same results as buying a pre-crafted serum. However, if youre a diehard DIY-er, you can use a powder to make your own affordable and serum with all the necessary ingredients.
Whatever brand or form you buy, the bottom line is that vitamin C is one of the best tried-and-true ingredients for your skin with lots of research to back it up. You dont need a fancy version to reap vitamin Cs skin-saving rewards.
Is Ascorbic Acid And Vitamin C Same
Yes, ascorbic acid , are Vitamin C.13,14
Ascorbic acid is usually used as a dietary supplement when people arent getting enough of it from their diet alone.
Low Vitamin C levels can occur if people a) arent eating enough Vitamin C-rich food, such as those listed above, or b) they have intestinal malabsorption problems, which may impact their bodys ability to absorb ascorbic acid.
Whats more, Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body, which is why its so important to try and incorporate it in your diet as much as possible.15
As well as helping with wound healing and supporting the immune system, ascorbic acid works as an antioxidant, protecting cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.16
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Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
Almost any clinician, including the nurse practitioner, can prescribe vitamin C. However, unless there is a deficiency, the emphasis should be on eating a healthy diet that consists of fruits and veggies. Supplements of vitamin C are relatively safe but can be expensive in the long run. Plus, because there is no oversight on supplements, product quality can be an issue. There is very little good evidence to support using vitamin C to prevent most chronic disorders like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer.
Whether prescribed by the clinician or taken as an OTC supplement, the entire interprofessional healthcare team, including all clinicians, nursing staff, and pharmacist, should know that the patient is taking vitamin C and be able to offer counsel, signs of deficiency and/or excessive intake, and offer counsel on how to optimize the use of this vitamin to achieve optimal outcomes.
Ascorbic Acid Downregulates Emt
Ascorbic acid regulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition , which is important for metastatic tumor potential. In vitro, ascorbic acid suppressed EMT in human pancreatic cancer cells by decreasing Snail and increasing E-cadherin at concentrations of 1-1.5 mM . Ascorbic acid, in conjunction with 5-azacytidine , a potent DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, regulated EMT inhibition and cell cycle progression in human HCC cells in vitro by suppressing Snail expression via TET . Interestingly, ascorbic acid produced two distinct reactions in human breast cancer in vitro. A low dose of ascorbic acid decreased E-cadherin and increased the mesenchymal marker vimentin, while a high dose of ascorbic acid conversely increased E-cadherin and decreased vimentin, reversing TGF- 1-induced EMT and, as a result, suppressing the formation of lung metastases in vivo . Ascorbic acid at concentrations of 1 mM or higher is thought to suppress EMT in tumors, possibly by inhibiting the effect of TGF-1 or by regulating Snail expression by TETs.
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How Much Ascorbic Acid Is Safe To Take
Vitamin C can be taken orally, applied topically to the skin, injected into muscles or given intravenously.
According to NHS guidance, adults aged between 19 and 64 need 40mg of Vitamin C a day.17
Taking more than 2,000mg a day is potentially unsafe and may cause kidney stones, as well as severe diarrhea. Its recommended people who have had kidney stones in the past shouldnt take more than 1,000mg of ascorbic acid a day anything higher could potentially lead them to develop kidney stones again.18
Summary Vitamin C Vs Ascorbic Acid
Both terms vitamin C and ascorbic acid refers to the same chemical compound having the chemical formula C6H8O6. However, the two terms are different from each other according to the use of the term. The key difference between vitamin C and ascorbic acid is that the ascorbic acid is the term that we use to name the purest form of vitamin C.
Reference:
1. Vitamin C: Natural Vs Synthetic. SmartyPants Vitamins, 21 Nov. 2017. Available here 2. Bond, Owen. Ascorbic Acid Vs. Vitamin C. LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, 3 Oct. 2017. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.NIH citrus via Commons Wikimedia
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Other Benefits And Uses Include:
What Does The Department Of Health And Social Care Advise
You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.
If you take vitamin C supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful.
Taking less than 1,000mg of vitamin C supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm.
Page last reviewed: 03 August 2020 Next review due: 03 August 2023
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What Side Effects May I Notice From Receiving This Medicine
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- breathing problems
- diarrhea with headache or nausea
- flushing or redness of skin
- pain in lower back, side, or stomach
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention :
- bad taste in the mouth
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How To Measure Vitamin C In The Body
There are two main ways vitamin C can be measured in the body. The first is a blood serum level. For women, normal levels are between 0.3-2.7 mg/dL while normal for men is 0.2-2.1 mg/dL. The second is checking vitamin C levels in white blood cells, or leukocytes. The reference range depends on the lab.
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Intravenous Vitamin C Alone In Patients With Covid
A pilot clinical trial in China randomized 56 adults with COVID-19 in the intensive care unit to receive intravenous vitamin C 24 g per day or placebo for 7 days. The study was terminated early due to a reduction in the number of cases of COVID-19 in China. Overall, the study found no differences between the arms in mortality, the duration of mechanical ventilation, or the change in median sequential organ failure assessment scores. The study reported improvements in oxygenation from baseline to Day 7 in the treatment arm that were statistically greater than those observed in the placebo arm .4
Effects Of Ascorbic Acid On Fibroblasts
Ascorbic acid is known to enhance collagen synthesis and wound healing , reduce UV-induced damage , and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects however, these effects are primarily skin-confined. Recently, the CAF cancer microenvironment has attracted considerable attention , although few studies have described the effects of ascorbic acid on CAFs. Here, we describe the effects of ascorbic acid on fibroblasts.
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What May Interact With This Medicine
- iron supplements
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Natural Vitamin C Vs Ascorbic Acid
You can get your vitamin C in two different ways. The first is natural vitamin C, which you acquire by adding whole foods to your eating regime. On the other hand, there’s synthetic vitamin C or ascorbic acid. This sort of vitamin C is human-made and utilized in dietary supplements. According to various studies, synthetic and natural vitamin C are chemically similar, yet how your body reacts to them is an alternate story. At the point when you eat vitamin C-rich nourishments, you’re getting vitamin C in its purest form. Besides, the expansion of different supplements can enable your body to absorb specific minerals and vitamins. When you focus on your daily vitamin C intake, your body benefits more from natural food sources than synthetic sources.
Note:Just remember that vitamin C is very demanding and is sensitive to air and light, and will break down during the long haul if exposed to these elements. If you need to get the ideal outcomes from your vitamin C serum or lotion, it should be in a dark, air-tight container to help guarantee the ingredient’s stability.
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Protects From Skin Inflammation
Inflammation in the skin underlies various weakening conditions. For example, acne, psoriasis, and dermatitis, including irritation and dryness vitamin C, are frequently utilized in anti-inflammatory formulations or as a part of the healing process.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant agent. Antioxidants secure solid skin cells by providing these free radicals an electron. Vitamin C also monitors the skin for harsh zones, rosacea, sunburn, and discolored patches.One study researched individuals with mild to moderate photodamage skin encountered a vast improvement in skin appearance, including roughness, fine lines, and skin tone after utilizing ascorbic acid for a very long time.
How To Use Vitamin C
Take this vitamin by mouth with or without food, usually 1 to 2 times daily. Follow all directions on the product package, or take as directed by your doctor.
If you are taking the extended-release capsules, swallow them whole. Do not crush or chew extended-release capsules or tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Swallow the whole tablet without crushing or chewing. Take this product with a full glass of water unless your doctor directs you otherwise.
If you are taking the wafers or chewable tablets, chew them thoroughly and then swallow. If you are taking the lozenges, place the lozenge in your mouth and allow it to slowly dissolve.
If you are taking the powder, mix it thoroughly in the proper amount of liquid or soft food and stir well. Take all of the mixture right away. Do not prepare a supply for future use. If you are using the liquid form of this vitamin, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Use this vitamin regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
If you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.
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Difference Between Vitamin C And Ascorbic Acid
August 19, 2018 Posted by Madhu
The key difference between vitamin C and ascorbic acid is that the ascorbic acid is the term that we use to name the purest form of vitamin C.
Ascorbic acid is the chemical name of vitamin C. However, vitamin C always is not ascorbic acid, though many people use these terms interchangeably. It is because we can find vitamin C either naturally or synthetically, and these two forms may not be as pure as ascorbic acid. After all, both these terms name the same chemical compound, but the application of the term differs according to the purity of the compound.
Absorption Metabolism And Excretion
From the U.S. National Institutes of Health: “Approximately 70%90% of vitamin C is absorbed at moderate intakes of 30180 mg/day. However, at doses above 1,000 mg/day, absorption falls to less than 50%.” It is transported through the intestine via both glucose-sensitive and glucose-insensitive mechanisms, so the presence of large quantities of sugar in the intestine can slow absorption.
Ascorbic acid is absorbed in the body by both active transport and simple diffusion. Sodium-Dependent Active TransportSodium-Ascorbate Co-Transporters and Hexose transporters are the two transporter proteins required for active absorption. SVCT1 and SVCT2 import the reduced form of ascorbate across plasma membranes.GLUT1 and GLUT3 are glucose transporters, and transfer only the dehydroascorbic acid form of vitamin C. Although dehydroascorbic acid is absorbed in higher rate than ascorbate, the amount of dehydroascorbic acid found in plasma and tissues under normal conditions is low, as cells rapidly reduce dehydroascorbic acid to ascorbate.
Numerous analytical methods have been developed for ascorbic acid detection. For example, vitamin C content of a food sample such as fruit juice can be calculated by measuring the volume of the sample required to decolorize a solution of dichlorophenolindophenol and then calibrating the results by comparison with a known concentration of vitamin C.
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Confused About The Different Types Of Vitamin C
on 18th May 2022
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for many aspects of health including your immune system
Your body uses extra vitamin C during times of increased need such as illness or infection so unless extra care is taken to increase dietary intake during these times, daily supplies are likely to fall short. This is when supplemental vitamin C may be a useful addition to your diet.
Ascorbic acid is the form of vitamin C found naturally in food. It has good bioavailability but some people find it too acidic on their gut and cant tolerate higher doses.
Bioflavonoids are beneficial plant compounds often added to vitamin C supplements. They deliver extra immune benefits and may help to increase bioavailability.
Mineral ascorbates such as calcium and magnesium ascorbate are often called buffered vitamin C. Many people find these to be gentler forms of vitamin C that are better tolerated by the gut. It is important however to consider the accompanying dose of mineral when taking higher levels.
Time-release vitamin C is often the preferred choice since vitamin C has better bioavailability when taken in smaller doses throughout the day. A time-release formula aims to solve this problem without taking multiple tablets, by releasing the vitamin C slowly throughout the day.
Vitamin C – A powerful immune-support nutrient
Why do we need extra vitamin C?
An inadequate vitamin C intake is already more widespread than many people realize.3
Learn More
Ascorbic acid
How To Use Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C can react when paired with certain ingredients, and some forms of the antioxidant can be unstable. To get the most out of your vitamin C serum, heres how to use it the right way.
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Potential Benefits Of Vitamin C Supplement
Ascorbic acid is a physiological antioxidant that protects cells by suppressing free radical damage. It also helps regenerate other antioxidants to improve cell protection and scavenge free radicals. Like most antioxidants, ascorbic acid has neuroprotective properties. Ascorbic acid also enhances nitric oxide synthesis to improve blood flow, which helps distribute nutrients throughout the body. Vitamin C supplements synergize with vitamin E to potentiate each nutrients antioxidant effects.
Vitamin C supports many elements of the immune system. Ascorbic acid helps promote the production of infection-fighting white blood cells, and it may enhance the function of these white blood cells by protecting them from free radicals. Vitamin C also supports a strong skin barrier. Vitamin C may shorten the duration and reduce the severity of cold symptoms as well. Ascorbic acids immune-boosting benefits are particularly notable in athletes.
