Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a white, crystalline, water-soluble substance found in citrus fruits. As an antioxidant, vitamin C scavenges free radicals in the body and protects tissues from oxidative stress.24-31 Vitamin C also promotes the absorption of iron, while preventing its oxidation.32,33 Vitamin C is a vital cofactor to the formation of collagen, the connective tissue that supports arterial walls, skin, bones, and teeth.28-30
More vitamin C is contained in the adrenal glands than any other organ in the body and is required at higher levels during times of stress.34-37 Physical stresses on the body such as ingestion of heavy metals,38-43 cigarette smoking,44-47 immune impairment,48-54 extreme temperatures,55-59 and chronic use of certain medications such as aspirin also signal the need for increased intake of vitamin C.60
Ascorbyl palmitate (AP) is an ester formed from ascorbic acid and palmitic acid creating a fat-soluble form of vitamin C that can reach tissue areas ascorbic acid cannot.64 This form is purely synthetic from two natural compounds; it has been shown to be beneficial for protecting the lipids from peroxidation.64-70 The lipophilic AP is able to cross biological barriers and satisfies the tissue demand for ascorbate better than the hydrophilic form. AP should be considered as the preferred form of transport of ascorbate into neural tissues.71,72
Technically, the ascorbic acid “part” of ascorbyl palmitate is only 40% of the total weight. Since ascorbyl palmitate and ascorbic acid might work in separate areas of the body, the concentration of ascorbic acid by weight has little relevance to the benefits of ascorbyl palmitate, so it has not been included in the product contents description. |