Vitamin C (aka Ascorbic Acid) in Health Supplements

An apple a day may be rumored to keep the doctor away, but vitamin C may do far more. Most consumers recognize vitamin C as the wonder vitamin in oranges, but it is also present in kale, kiwis, spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, berries, and tomatoes. Scientists learned to harness the power of ascorbic acid in 1932, and double Nobel laureate Linus Pauling stressed the importance of a diet rich in vitamin C. 

USP ingredient supplier Bell Chem stocks ascorbic acid for its health-minded customers.

Why We Need Vitamin C

Take a look at many over-the-counter supplements, and you are likely to find vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) as a key ingredient because of its myriad health benefits. Vitamin C is a nutrient humans are unable to produce; it must be obtained daily through diet since it is water soluble and passes through the body quickly. Vitamin C affects every body system.

Immune system

Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant, clearing free radicals from the bloodstream. An excess of free radicals can change the cellular structure of any tissue, causing all kinds of damage, from wrinkles to cancer.

Eye health

Oral vitamin C supplements appear to slow the deterioration of sight due to macular degeneration. Ongoing studies suggest vitamin C may also reduce the risk of cataracts.

Dialysis-driven anemia

Patients submitted to dialysis often develop anemia, or lower than average circulating red blood cells. Oral doses of vitamin C may aid in the management of this type of anemia.

Duration of common cold symptoms

Vitamin C curtails symptoms of the cold virus if taken before symptoms arise, but shows no results if taken once symptoms develop. In other words, vitamin C is good for prevention of the common cold.

Enzymatic reactions

As the body creates collagen, vitamin C must be present. Collagen is a protein in connective tissue responsible for adhering one layer of tissue to another. Along with visibly smoothing fine lines and wrinkles in skin, collagen binds other tissues together, such as bone to muscle and muscle to adipose. In fact, collagen is an important component in every body system. Hormones, which are responsible for long-term chemical messaging, contain ascorbic acid as a component. If lower than average amounts of ascorbic acid is present in the blood, it can mean hormones are thrown out of their delicate balance.

Cardiovascular care

New research is pinning elevated levels of vitamin C in the blood with lower instances of heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Evidence suggests the intravenous intake of vitamin C prior to and following coronary surgery prevents myocardial injury and arrhythmia.

Colonoscopy prep

The Food and Drug Administration recently cleared a fluid rich in vitamin C as a preparatory agent before a colonoscopy. The vitamin C treatment required 2 liters of medicated fluid beforehand rather than the traditional 4 liters. 

With these facts in hand, it is time for your business to stock up on Bell Chem’s ascorbic acid. Bell Chem is a USP ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including vitamin C (ascorbic acid). You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.