Natural Vitamin C
Whether Vitamin C is synthesized from corn and paprika or extracted from acerola cherry powder and rose hips, the chemical composition is the same.
Synthetic ascorbic acid and the ascorbic acid in rose hip or acerola cherry powder all have the identical chemical composition — and studies indicate that bioavailability is the same whether synthetic or natural. The Vitamin C supplements labeled “natural” tend to be more expensive and studies show they may not be worth the higher price.
Bioflavonoid Vitamin C
Antioxidant compounds naturally occurring in many plants, bioflavonoids are sometimes included in Vitamin C supplements. While these compounds are beneficial to health, research has found they do not help Vitamin C absorption. Like natural Vitamin C supplements, bioflavonoid Vitamin C products are often more expensive.
Ascorbyl Palmitate Vitamin C
Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means your body cannot store any extra, putting a premium on absorption. Fat-soluble nutrients can be stored, making the fat-soluble Ascorbyl Palmitate seem like an appealing option. However, it appears the digestive system separates the ascorbic acid from the palmitate and the supplement loses its fat solubility.
Mineral Salt Vitamin C
Because ascorbic acid can be tough to digest, some Vitamin C supplements are a mineral salt of ascorbic acid. They are sometimes called “buffered” because the salts reduce the acidity.
Sodium ascorbate is common in supplements and intravenous Vitamin C. Magnesium, calcium, potassium, and zinc are also found in supplements, but not as often.
While mineral salt vitamin C supplements are less rough on the stomach, they are also higher in other minerals that some may want to limit.
Gummy Vitamin C
While gummies are fun to eat, they often contain a substantial amount of sugar, which can interfere with Vitamin C absorption.
Vitamin C Drinks
Similar to gummies, vitamin-filled drinks often contain added sugar.
Vitamin C powder
While unflavored Vitamin C powder rarely includes more than ascorbic acid, other popular Vitamin C powders contain significant sugar and artificial flavors. Some of these supplements also have large doses of Vitamin C that may be too much to absorb and can cause gastric distress.
Vitamin C pills and capsules
Rarely containing unnecessary substances, pills and capsules are a cost-effective way to take Vitamin C at lower doses throughout the day. Absorption of these supplements decreases dramatically with the dose size, and taking large doses of Vitamin C in these forms may cause stomach upset.
Liposomal Vitamin C
A goo-like substance, liposomal Vitamin C encapsulates the nutrient in tiny phospholipid spheres that support better absorption. This technology enables a better way to absorb Vitamin C at larger doses. High-quality liposomal Vitamin C supplements are made without sugar or artificial sweeteners/flavors, so they do not have a pleasant taste. These supplements also tend to be more expensive than traditional pills. Good liposomal supplements, like the ones made by LivOn Labs, may be more expensive, but in our opinion, they are worth it. The better quality liposomal Vitamin C supplements include cell-supporting nutrients in the liposomes themselves, making them a great choice for overall health.
Intravenous Vitamin C
Expensive, often inaccessible depending on where you live, and risky if not done in a medical setting, IV Vitamin C injections are a powerful way to intake Vitamin C as it goes directly into the bloodstream.