Vitamin C (Excellent C)

This is a high-potency vitamin C formula. The formula is enhanced with the addition of 7.5 mg of BioPerine® per capsule. BioPerine® is a proprietary, patented black pepper extract that has been shown in clinical studies to increase the bioavailability of vitamin C by up to 30% [1].

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin essential to humans and must be obtained exogenously. While most mammals can synthesize vitamin C, humans are unable to. This is because humans lack one of the enzymes required to synthesize vitamin C from glucose. Stress, smoking, pollution, radiation, heavy metal exposure, immune challenges, and temperature change all increase our requirement for vitamin C. Well-known functions of this versatile vitamin include antioxidant protection from free radicals and oxidative processes, synthesis of collagen, carnitine, and neurotransmitters and immune stimulation and support [2-4]. Vitamin C is a cofactor for several metabolic enzymes and is involved in protein metabolism. It also plays a lesser-known role in the deactivation of histamine [5,6].

Collagen is a fundamental component of bone, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C’s role in collagen formation makes it vital to maintaining skin, capillary, gum, joint, and skeletal health [2,4,7].

Synthesis of carnitine depends on vitamin C, highlighting vitamin C’s role in energy production. Carnitine is the vehicle that shuttles fatty acids into the mitochondria where they can be converted to the energy-yielding molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) [4].

Synthesis of certain hormones and neurotransmitters depends on vitamin C as well. It is required for the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine—a neurotransmitter that is of great importance in maintaining healthy mood and brain function [4].

Protecting tissues and organs from oxidative damage is believed to be pivotal in maintaining health in the body [8,9]. Ascorbate (calcium, magnesium and potassium forms), the reduced form of vitamin C and the form used in Excellent C is a generous donor of electrons, allowing it to counteract oxidative free radicals. This property makes ascorbate an ideal antioxidant that can protect cells and tissues as well as regenerate other antioxidants. In turn, various nutrients and compounds, such as glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid, are able to regenerate vitamin C and extend its antioxidant protection. Additionally, vitamin C is able to limit the formation of carcinogens, such as nitrosamines [2].

Buffered vitamin C, also known as pH-neutral or ascorbates, are not acidic in nature

References

1. BioPerine®. About BioPerine®. http://www.bioperine.com. Accessed August 17, 2016.
2. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin C. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/. Accessed August 17, 2016.
3. Schlueter AK, Johnston CS. Vitamin C: overview and update. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine (JEBCAM). 2011; 16(1) 49-57. http://chp.sagepub.com/content/16/1/49.full.pdf+html. Accessed August 23, 2012.
4. Linus Pauling Institute. Vitamin C. Updated November 2009. http://lpi. oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminC/. Accessed August 15, 2012.
5. Johnston CS. The antihistamine action of ascorbic acid. Subcell Biochem. 1996;25:189-213. [PMID: 8821975]
6. Strohle A, Wolters M, Hahn A. Micronutrients at the interface between inflammation and infection—ascorbic acid and calciferol: part 1, general overview with a focus on ascorbic acid. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets. 2011 Feb;10(1):54-63. [PMID: 21184650]
7. MacKay D, Miller AL. Nutritional support for wound healing. Altern Med Rev. 2003 Nov;8(4):359-77. [PMID: 14653765]
8. Jacob RA, Sotoudeh G. Vitamin C function and status in chronic disease. Nutr Clin Care. 2002 Mar-Apr;5(2):66-74. [PMID: 12134712]
9. Li Y, Schellhorn HE. New developments and novel therapeutic perspectives for vitamin C. J Nutr. 2007 Oct;137(10):2171-84. [PMID: 17884994]