The real difference between ascorbic acid and natural vitamin C

Today we're looking at the difference between L-ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid and natural vitamin C and whether any of them are actually harmful. We keep hearing the persistent opinion that ascorbic acid is a harmful, non-natural, inferior alternative to the otherwise powerful vitamin from acerola, citrus fruits and the like.

For many, this is a paradox - and we are now providing clarity. What is the truth behind these claims and what should you bear in mind? We have written a comprehensive explanation for you, which should help you with all questions about ascorbic acid, its effects and the difference to the natural vitamin.

1. Production of L-ascorbic acid and vitamin C

Something that is "artificially" produced is not necessarily harmful.

Do you see the chemical formula below? Let me introduce you to ascorbic acid. Humans cannot produce it themselves, but they need it to survive.

That's why we call it vitamin (C). Vitamin C and ascorbic acid are 100% synonymous. Both are L-ascorbic acid. The L stands for its specific 3D structure.

 

The name ascorbic acid was derived from the expression " anti-scurvy acid". The typical sailor's disease scurvy always occurred on sea voyages when the sailors did not eat citrus fruits for a long time and a vitamin C deficiency became noticeable.

The term " ascorbic " means something like " without scurvy ". If we do not get ascorbic acid through our diet every day, we will soon become ill - like sailors. However, the synthesis of vitamin C is different and depends on whether it takes place in the laboratory or in plants.

The synthesis process in nature is carried out by enzymes, while the synthesis in industry is solved differently. One of the reaction steps is carried out by yeast fermentation, which is just as natural a reaction by enzymes as the reaction in plants. BUT the molecule that is formed is always the molecule below: ascorbic acid.

Here comes the crux of the matter:

Vitamin C from natural sources is not the only molecule that is consumed in a diet of fresh fruits and other foods. It is not pure. Unlike a manufactured vitamin C in most dietary supplements.

Acerolas and citrus fruits contain many bioflavonoids or polyphenols that have an antioxidant effect. These are also good for us. There is a balanced interaction of different plant substances from the basic and secondary plant substances of the respective plant. It is therefore a matter of taste which vitamin you choose. Both are healthy because both are centrally based on the molecule that protects our body during physical exertion, strengthens the immune system and thus keeps us vital. It is the same vitamin C transporter key, if the specific biochemical reactions represent the lock.

And since our body does not notice the difference between the molecules, regardless of where they come from, ascorbic acid is one thing for sure: not harmful . In fact, it is one of the most important vitamins for our organism.

2. Daily requirement and bio-intake

How much vitamin C should you take per day?

The term vitamin comes from the Latin word "vita" (Latin for life). In the classification, a distinction is made between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins in terms of bioabsorption.

In principle, it is very simple: fat is often used as a storage system , while water serves as a transport system . Water-soluble vitamins must therefore be taken regularly, ideally daily, as their molecules cannot be stored long-term.

Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and therefore has a recommended daily requirement of milligrams of vitamin C. According to the German Nutrition Society (DGE), the daily requirement for adolescents aged 15 and over and adults is between 90 and 110 milligrams of vitamin C per day.

However, an increased need for vitamin C can also be met without people having to worry about a harmful overdose. Up to 1000 mg from food supplements in addition to the vitamin C from a balanced diet shows no negative long-term consequences or side effects. If high doses of concentrated vitamin C are taken, side effects of the overdose can appear in the digestive system [7].

Side effects that have occasionally occurred include: gastrointestinal problems, mild diarrhea or nausea, caused by the osmotic effects of the unabsorbed ascorbic acid in the digestive tract. Vitamin C cannot be fully absorbed in this high concentration and attracts water in the intestine.

The feared negative effects on iron absorption and metabolism could not be confirmed.

However, it is difficult for vitamin C administered orally in its conventional form to reach the bloodstream in large concentrations, which is probably why IV administration has become popular in some circles. Less invasive nutritional supplements are recommended for this, such as liposomal ascorbic acid or bioenhancers. In this way, enough of the substance reaches its site of action, making it very suitable for short courses. However, most healthy people hardly notice this.

 

 

Why are we so sure that vitamin C is good for us?

And not just good, but above-average health benefits. Is that really the case? The answer is that there is a good reason why lemons are so strongly associated with vitamins and health: their high vitamin C content of 53 mg in 100 g (66% of the daily requirement). Most people take vitamin C in winter to combat colds, either in the form of tablets or hot lemon.

How does the bioavailability of different types of vitamin C differ?

(e.g. with pure ascorbic acid and natural vitamin C from fruit or vegetables?)

A substance is described as particularly bioavailable when a large amount of it reaches the bloodstream. Comparative studies - published in the renowned Journal of Nutrition - on healthy non-smokers showed no difference in the bioavailability of the following vitamin C sources [2]. The intake of vitamin C was compared:

 

• As pure ascorbic acid
• In the form of tablets made from oranges
• From orange juice
• Made from raw and cooked broccoli

Only raw broccoli reduced the BV by 20%. Once the substance has reached the cells, it makes no difference where it originally came from. Some research reports show that extracts containing ascorbic acid (e.g. citrus extract in vitamin C serum) are better absorbed than pure ascorbic acid due to the additional molecules [6]. However, this observation is not confirmed by all publications. Liposomes also compensate for this and pure ascorbic acid can also overcome possible absorption disadvantages. At ActiNovo, we coat the vitamin C with a lipid bilayer (lipid = fat) and thus avoid the difficulties in absorbing the water-soluble vitamin.

 

Theoretically, with these " liposomes " it doesn't matter whether the vitamin C also contains bioflavonoids (i.e. comes from fruit). Here the body concentrates on absorbing the liposomes, not the vitamin C in them. We have a great article about the effects of liposomes if you want to learn more about this miracle cure.

3. Benefits and effects of L-ascorbic acid

What is ascorbic acid actually good for? You should make sure you have a source of vitamin C every day. But why do people have such a high need for vitamin C and why do we actually need the ascorbic acid molecule?

In our body, the molecule regulates metabolic reactions such as collagen synthesis, anti-oxidation and energy production. In all cells and tissues of our body, it acts as a balancing helper against free oxygen radicals. Its ability to transfer electrons to other molecules makes it a central switch in the oxidation balance. Because of these and other important tasks within the body and because we cannot produce it ourselves, we call it a vitamin. In chemical jargon, it is known as ascorbic acid.

Does it affect healthy immune function?

The best known effect is on our general immune system. When the influence of vitamin C on the immune system was first investigated, it was only known that vitamin C was present in greatly increased concentrations in most of the white blood cells that are important for the immune system.

It turned out that vitamin C acts as a cofactor of important enzymes in white blood cells (immune cells). It is therefore essential for their metabolism and their function in the fight against pathogens [8]. In vitro analyses confirmed the antimicrobial properties of the molecule. In addition, vitamin C promoted immune cell division. During an infection, ascorbic acid is consumed in large quantities, i.e. used for a specific purpose in supporting the immune defense [9].

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) confirms an effect between vitamin C intake and optimal immune function in adults and children under three years of age [10].

Ascorbic acid is the engine of our immune system and strengthens our defenses . However, we can still catch a cold even if we consume the recommended daily amount. Our organisms are simply too complex for a single molecule to protect us from different viruses. However, we cannot harm the body by consuming the amount we need.

Is ascorbic acid good for the skin?

As an antioxidant, vitamin C intercepts the cell-damaging oxygen compounds in the body. These "free radicals" are created by the body's own metabolic processes, but also by the intake of nicotine, medication and even UV radiation and cause the skin to age. Limiting oxidative stress is therefore desirable for many people and can be achieved by taking vitamins through food or nutritional supplements.

Does ascorbic acid affect blood clotting?

A symptom of the disease scurvy, which characterized a deficiency in the natural vitamin balance, was bleeding gums . However, vitamin C does not directly affect blood clotting, but supports normal blood vessels. It does this through its role as an antioxidant - but also indirectly by increasing the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). Oxidative stress and wound healing consume a lot of vitamin C to keep the body in balance despite the high stress [10]. Nitric oxide, in turn, is essential for protective cardiovascular functions, such as thrombosis inhibition [3].

Can vitamin C prevent cardiovascular diseases?

In general, antioxidants - such as vitamin C - reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which include thrombosis. However, research on this topic has not been able to establish a clear link between vitamin C and the prevention of CVD, as a literature review shows [5].

4. Conclusion

It is a matter of taste whether you want to meet your daily needs through pure and high-dose vitamin C or natural vitamin C. You can either decide to take in the additional beneficial biomolecules, but consume a lower vitamin C content . Or you can decide to take in a pure vitamin such as vitamin C supplements and can adequately cover any vitamin deficiency (for example, if you have an increased need).

As a vitamin C serum encapsulated in liposomes, the active ingredient is definitely delivered! In addition, some side effects of uncontrolled dosing can be prevented, as liposomes lead to 98% absorption of the active ingredient .

 

Sources

[1] Jones DP. 2008; in press. 2 – Jones DP et al. Nutr Cancer. 1992;17:57-75. 3 – Flagg EW et al. Am J Epidemiol.
[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684116/
[3] https://www.imd-berlin.de/spezielle-competenten/micronaehrstoffe/glutathion.html 4. Lang CA, Mills BJ, Mastropaolo W, Liu MC. Blood glutathione decreases in chronic diseases. J Lab Clin Med 2000;135:402–5.
[5] Lang CA et al. J Lab Clin Med 1992;120(5):720-25.
[6] Van Lieshout EM, Peters WH. Carcinogenesis. 1998 Oct;19(10):1873-5.
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2756154/
[8] https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/27/5/643/36539?login=true
[9] https://www.dovepress.com/glutathione-and-its-antiaging-and-antimelanogenic-effects-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID
[10] https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/16/3/534.short

[11] https://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/inhalt-49-1996/titel-49-1996/ 

[12] https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-642-79748-4_10.pdf

[13] https://www.lungenaerzte-im-netz.de/news-archiv/meldung/article/bakterium-blockiert-recyclingmechanismus-in-der-lunge/

[14] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01635589209514173

[15] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01635589209514173
[16] McCarty, Mark F, and James J DiNicolantonio. “An increased need for dietary cysteine ​​in support of glutathione synthesis may underlie the increased risk for mortality associated with low protein intake in the elderly.” Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands) vol. 37.5 (2015): 96. doi:10.1007/s11357-015-9823-8