Which Vitamin C to Take?
When deciding how much Vitamin C is optimal, or which form to take, you quickly discover several related substances that occur with Vitamin C in its natural state that can be just as — or even more — beneficial. Maintaining a healthy Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) intake is critical to immunity, connective tissue formation, hormones and metabolism, and antioxidant protection. Yet a well-designed matrix can significantly extend Vitamin C’s benefits. This was the idea behind Synergy Holistics’ enhanced Vitamin C formula called More Than "C" Synergy.
More Than "C" Features
Contains both non-GMO ascorbic acid (water-soluble Vitamin C) and ascorbyl palmitate (fat-soluble Vitamin C) to broaden the spectrum of antioxidant activity.
Includes a matrix of OptiBurst™ standardized anthocyanin extract, Camu Camu, Rosehips, Rutin, Citrus Bioflavonoids, and Grape Seed Extract. This bolsters antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and further strengthens the collagen and connective tissues supported by Vitamin C — resulting in better elasticity and improved circulation, even in micro-capillaries.
These ingredients in meaningful amounts also enhance Vitamin C’s benefits for the brain and eyes and are particularly noticeable in the skin.
Arabinogalactans from larch provide additional immune-supporting effects and serve as a prebiotic to promote the growth of friendly gut bacteria.
What Does Vitamin C Do in the Body?
Vitamin C is essential for the formation of collagen and connective tissues — helping maintain the structural integrity of our skin, gums, bones, organs, and tissues in general. In simple terms, connective tissues hold our cells together. Without adequate Vitamin C, they erode and weaken.
Once inside your cells, the fat-soluble form — ascorbyl palmitate — may be especially effective at protecting lipid-rich cell membranes due to its dual solubility in both fat and water.
Better antioxidant protection of cell membranes from free-radical damage can be readily noticed in the health and appearance of your largest organ: the skin. This works hand-in-hand with Vitamin C’s role in collagen maintenance.
The addition of anthocyanins from OptiBurst™ OPCs from grape seed extract, and bioflavonoids from Camu Camu, Rosehips, Citrus, and Rutin in More Than “C” Synergy maximize both antioxidant and connective tissue support. Less oxidation, stronger connective tissue, and improved elasticity reduce the likelihood of inflammation and cross-linking — helping prevent wrinkles, sagging, and premature aging.
Enhancing Immune Protection
Vitamin C plays a central role in immunity and is found in high concentrations in our lymphocytes and leukocytes. It supports the formation and activity of white blood cells and helps maintain the size and function of the thymus gland, which trains T-cells. (6)
Vitamin C is also stored in high concentrations in the pituitary and adrenal glands (as well as the eyes and brain). (1) This reflects its role in the stress response.
Stress and immunity are closely linked. Vitamin C helps maintain balanced cortisol production — essential for both inflammation control and resilience against infection. (2–5) It is also required for the body’s synthesis of sex/steroid hormones and for L-carnitine, a fat-transport and metabolic compound.
Additionally, Vitamin C:
- Acts as a key antioxidant
- Supports red blood cell formation
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Helps balance allergy responses by stabilizing mast cells, which produce histamine (7)
The polyphenols and OPC-rich compounds from OptiBurst™ , Grape Seed Extract, Rutin, Rosehips, and Camu Camu in More Than “C” Synergy are not only highly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory — they also help soften allergy responses. (8–11)
To further extend immune benefits, More Than “C” Synergy incorporates arabinogalactans from larch — shown to enhance the activity of NK (natural killer) cells, and to help reduce the incidence of colds, respiratory infections, and ear infections. (12,13)
As a soluble fiber, larch arabinogalactans also act as a prebiotic, encouraging healthy gut flora and supporting colon health, further contributing to strong immunity. (12)
All of This in One Formula
There truly is more to this combination than just Vitamin C. More Than “C” Synergy brings together the most relevant support ingredients to broaden and enhance the benefits of Vitamin C, year-round.
Stay well,
John Biggs BSc, NCP, OHP
Synergy Holistics, Founder and Formulator
References:
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3341031/
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17616774
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/173480
- http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/86/1/145.long
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25608928
- http://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/relationship-between-vitamin-c-mast-cells-and-inflammation-2155-9600-1000456.php?aid=66895
- Alternative Medicine Review: Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC's) Monograph; Volume 8, Number 4, 2003. Thorne Research. pp. 442-450
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296744/
- http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03773.x/full
- http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2012/july/rosehip/
- http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/5/5/463.pdf
- http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1185/03007995.2013.765837