Buying Vitamin C – what you need to know!

Vitamin C is certainly one of the best-known, if not the best-known vital substance. In addition, vitamin C has been researched very well, so that numerous health benefits are known and scientifically proven. A lack of vitamin C can have far-reaching consequences. Mucosal bleeding or muscle pain are some of the possible symptoms of deficiency. Taking a dietary supplement can be useful to prevent or counteract a deficiency.

What can vitamin C do for you?

Vitamin C is a versatile vitamin with a wide range of tasks. Accordingly, its fields of application are wide.

• Balance: Daily strains demand a lot from our body. When stressed, the body releases stress hormones such as cortisol. In the long run, this can lead to restlessness or nervousness, among other things. Studies show that vitamin C can support the body's natural and healthy stress regulation.
• Strong defences: Strong defences are the basic requirement for a vital life. If the immune system cannot properly perform its important task, we suffer from infections more often. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in the immune system's function. Vitamin C as a food supplement can, therefore, support the body's defence system in the fight against pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
• Glowing skin: As an important antioxidant, vitamin C also plays an important role in skin health. Harmful free radicals are generated, particularly with exposure to UV radiation, which among other things promotes premature ageing and thus also wrinkles of the skin. Antioxidants like vitamin C can fight free radicals. This is how vitamin C can contribute to beautiful and radiant skin.
• Heart and circulation: A healthy heart and strong vessels enable an active and vital life. Vitamin C can support cardiovascular health by positively influencing the so-called vascular endothelium.

Buying vitamin C - what should you pay attention to?

If you want to buy high-dose vitamin C, you will find that there is a large selection of supplements. We tell you what you really should pay attention to if you want to buy natural vitamin C powder.

• Products and dosage forms
• Vitamin C forms
• Dosage and ingredients
• Application and tolerance
• Additives and allergens
• Price-performance ratio
• Satisfaction guarantee

Products and dosage forms

You can buy vitamin C powder or tablets. Capsules are also available. We will explain the most important advantages and disadvantages of the individual dosage forms.

• Vitamin C powder

Like most dosage forms, vitamin C powder is also available as a natural and synthetic variant. You can simply stir the powder in water and then drink it as a refreshing drink. Of course, you can also add vitamin C powder to other drinks or dishes such as yoghurt. The amount of vitamin C per scoop should be standardised for each powder so you can dose the powder easily and safely. Vitamin C powder is particularly suitable for people who do not want to swallow capsules or tablets.

• Vitamin C tablets

Vitamin C tablets consist of compressed vitamin C powder. The tablets also have a standardised active ingredient content. They are well suited for when you are on the go or travelling.

• Vitamin C capsules

Vitamin C capsules contain vitamin C powder in a capsule shell. The capsules can be dosed and taken just as easily as the tablets. Capsules with a plant-based capsule shell are also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Vitamin C forms

With vitamin C, a basic distinction can be made between a natural and a synthetic form. Natural vitamin C is obtained from amla berries or from acerola cherry, among other things. At best, the extraction is gentle with pure water. Synthetic vitamin C is produced in the laboratory from the starting substance D-glucose. So far, it has been controversial whether natural vitamin C has a higher bioavailability for humans. However, the natural variant has a decisive advantage: In contrast to synthetic vitamin C, it is not an isolated vital substance. A high-quality food supplement with natural vitamin C also contains valuable phytochemicals that can support the effects of the vitamin.

Vitamin C: Dosage

To prevent symptoms of deficiency, the German Nutrition Society recommends an intake of 20 to 155 mg of vitamin C per day, depending on age and gender. However, you should keep in mind that for a healthy person, this dose is only sufficient to prevent more severe deficiency symptoms. External factors such as the ever-increasing pollution, but also poor nutrition and chronic diseases lead to a higher need. Experts, therefore, recommend a daily dose of 200 to 400 mg of vitamin C.

Application and tolerance

Vitamin C has low toxicity and causes few side effects even at higher doses. Possible side effects or signs of an overdose include nausea, vomiting, headache, or diarrhoea.

Vitamin C can promote the absorption of other nutrients. This is especially true for iron. If you suffer from an iron deficiency or want to prevent an iron deficiency, it may make sense to take iron and vitamin C in combination.

Additives and allergens

When choosing your dietary supplement, you should make sure that you buy pure vitamin C powder or another dosage form without unnecessary additives. A high-quality nutritional supplement should be free from preservatives or colourings. Potential allergens such as soy, wheat or shellfish should also not be included.

An allergy to ascorbic acid occurs quite often. An allergic reaction causes itching in the throat or tongue, pustules, or swelling of the lips and tongue. Indigestion can also indicate an allergy. If you are known to have an allergic reaction against vitamin C, you should refrain from taking the food supplements.

Price-performance ratio

When buying natural vitamin C powder or tablets, you should not just pay attention to the price. Cheap preparations are often in very low doses and usually contain synthetic vitamin C. A price comparison can be worthwhile. Because you can buy pure vitamin C with a good price-performance ratio, especially on the Internet.

Satisfaction guarantee

Vitamin C is generally well tolerated. Nevertheless, intolerance reactions can also occur with high-quality preparations. You take no risk here if you order your food supplement from a retailer with a satisfaction guarantee. If you do not tolerate the preparation or are dissatisfied, you can return it and receive your money back.

Questions and answers buying about vitamin C

You may also be interested in these questions and answers about buying vitamin C.

Where can you buy vitamin C?

You can buy vitamin C at your chemist or a drugstore. You can also buy high-dose vitamin C online.

For whom is vitamin C suitable as a food supplement?

Vitamin C as a dietary supplement is suitable for all people who want to actively contribute to their health and well-being. Especially with an unbalanced diet, the need cannot always be met through nutrition. Increased consumption can also lead to a deficiency. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with chronic illnesses, smokers, as well as athletes should ensure an adequate vitamin C intake.