Natural Vitamin C

100% clean formula.

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. All Ethical Nutrition products are free from animal-based ingredients and by-products. Registered with the vegan society.

Free-from: GMOs, Magnesium Stearate, Gelatin, Palm Oil/Palm Oil Derivatives, Maltodextrin, Bulking Agents, Titanium Dioxide, Sugar.

No Allergen-Containing Ingredients: This product is formulated without any ingredients from the top 14 allergens, including wheat, milk, nuts, soy, and shellfish.

Additive-free: We don't use any nasty additives and where required we use gluten-free rice extract to help us to blend together ingredients and ensure they are accurately dosed.

Vitamin C contributes to:

• Normal function of the immune system. Vitamin C is needed for healthy white blood cells, normal barrier functions (e.g. skin, gut lining), and normal cell development and differentiation of T-cells and B-cells [1].
• Collagen formation. Vitamin C is highly concentrated in your skin where it stimulates collagen synthesis and protects against UV light damage [2].
• Energy production in cell mitochondria - the tiny “batteries” inside every cell in the body.
• Cardiovascular health and blood sugar regulation. Vitamin C supports the healthy balance of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, thus playing a role in heart disease prevention. It can also support blood glucose regulation in Type 2 diabetes [3].
• A healthy nervous system and normal stress response. The production of stress hormones in the adrenal glands relies on a steady supply of vitamin C.
• Non-haem iron absorption. Vitamin C increases the bioavailability of iron from plant foods like lentils, apricots, and green leafy vegetables.

As an antioxidant, vitamin C protects cells from inflammatory damage. It also works closely with vitamin E, “recycling” the nutrient to keep it active as an antioxidant. 

If you compare them under a microscope, synthetic ascorbic acid and natural vitamin C are identical. 

However, synthetic ascorbic acid is isolated and chemically extracted from corn, which may be genetically modified (GMO). 

The ascorbic acid in natural vitamin C (sometimes called wholefood or food-source vitamin C) is found alongside bioflavonoids and other beneficial compounds naturally present in the food. These compounds enhance bioavailability and provide extra health benefits that synthetic ascorbic acid can’t.

In addition to natural vitamin C, our Acerola Cherry is rich in carotenoids, bioflavonoids, and anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol that supports cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and a healthy gut microbiome. [4]. 

You may benefit from natural vitamin C if you:

• Take medications that interact with vitamin C absorption and utilisation. These include PPI drugs (proton-pump inhibitors) and oral contraceptive pills.
• Are a smoker or exposed to passive smoking. Smokers and passive smokers have a higher requirement for vitamin C than non-smokers due to increased oxidative stress [5]. 
• Are managing iron-deficiency anaemia.
• Have a diet low in food sources of vitamin C like fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Are vegetarian or vegan and reliant on non-haem sources of iron.
• Want to optimise your energy levels, immune health, or collagen production.
• Want to support your dental health.

General signs of low vitamin C include:

• Bleeding gums and gum disease.
• Loose teeth.
• Skin that bruises easily.
• Slow wound healing.
• Low resistance to infection.
• Tiredness and fatigue.
• Iron-deficiency anaemia, especially if vegetarian or vegan.
• Painful joints.

Prolonged vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy. 

Absolutely! Humans (and primates and guinea pigs!) are unable to manufacture their own vitamin C and need to rely on dietary sources. Because vitamin C is water soluble and not stored in the body we need to replenish our levels every day.

Food sources include broccoli, citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, watercress, and cauliflower. However vitamin C is sensitive to light and heat. The amount of vitamin C in fresh foods starts to decline when stored for a long period, displayed under bright supermarket lights, and during cooking. 

Many people struggle to meet their daily needs for vitamin C which is where our Acerola Cherry supplement comes in handy. 

Certain medications increase the body’s need for vitamin C. These include PPI drugs (proton-pump inhibitors) [6] like Lansoprazole and Omeprazole, and oral contraceptive pills. 

Sustained high doses of vitamin C can deplete copper levels. 

We recommend you speak to your healthcare provider before taking vitamin C alongside any prescribed medications or if you have a history of:

• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
• Haemochromatosis or haemosiderosis (iron overload disorder).
• Kidney stones or kidney failure.

When taken as directed our Acerola Cherry supplement is well tolerated.

Excess vitamin C can cause diarrhoea. This response is unique to each individual and is called the bowel tolerance level.

Some people can tolerate several grams per day while others are more sensitive, although side effects are generally seen in doses greater than 1000mg per day [7].

1. Carr, A. C., & Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients, 9(11), 1211. Link
2. Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. (2017). The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866. Link
3. Ashor, A. W., Werner, A. D., Lara, J., Willis, N. D., Mathers, J. C., & Siervo, M. (2017). Effects of vitamin C supplementation on glycaemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 71(12), 1371–1380. Link
4. Lane, D. J., Richardson, D. R. (2014). The active role of vitamin C in Carr, A. C., & Maggini, S. 2017. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients, 9(11), 1211. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111211 
5. Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. C. 2017. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080866 
6. Ashor, A. W., Werner, A. D., Lara, J., Willis, N. D., Mathers, J. C., & Siervo, M. 2017. Effects of vitamin C supplementation on glycaemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 71(12), 1371–1380. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2017.24 
7. Mattioli, R., Francioso, A., Mosca, L., & Silva, P. 2020. Anthocyanins: A Comprehensive Review of Their Chemical Properties and Health Effects on Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Molecules, 25(17), 3809. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25173809 
8. National Institutes of Health, n.d. Vitamin C [online] Available at < https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=Studies%20consistently%20show%20that%20smokers,also%20decreases%20vitamin%20C%20levels.> [Accessed 24 Jan 2025].
9. Heidelbaugh, J. J. 2013. Proton pump inhibitors and risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency: Evidence and clinical implications. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 4(3), 125. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042098613482484
10. Expert Group on Vitamin & Minerals, 2003. Safe Upper Levels for Vitamins and Minerals. [online] Available at <https://cot.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/vitmin2003.pdf> [Accessed 23 Jan 2025].