Especially in places where we don’t always have access to fresh fruits and vegetables that contain high levels of vitamin C. The recommended daily amount of vitamin C for adults is 90 mg for men, 75 mg for women, and up to 120 mg for people who are pregnant or nursing. However, certain medical conditions may require that you take much higher doses ( 1). Sarah was awarded Activist of the Year in 2010 at the International Wise Traditions Conference, subsequently serving on the Board of Directors of the nutrition nonprofit the Weston A. Price Foundation for seven years. Meanwhile, liposomal vitamin C is a form encapsulated in liposomes, a small vesicle made from cholesterol or other phospholipids. These supplements can help increase the absorption of vitamin C, but they are also often more expensive ( 14, 17).

The best sources of vitamin C include fruits like oranges, strawberries, kiwi, and cantaloupe as well as vegetables such as bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Because these are very common foods, vitamin C deficiency is relatively rare in the United States. However, “individuals that don’t eat many fruits and vegetables, smoke, or have certain gastrointestinal issues may benefit from a supplement,” says Stark. For most healthy men and women, it’s recommended to consume 90 mg and 75 mg of vitamin C per day, respectively ( 1).Third party testing does not test to see if a product is effective or safe for everyone, and it does not ensure the supplement will not interact with other supplements or medications.

Supplements that are third-party tested are sent to a lab where they are tested to ensure they contain what they say they contain and are not contaminated with specific high-risk, common contaminants. However, it’s important to note: Sourcing non-GMO vitamin C requires you to go outside the United States. There is no existing supply chain of certified organic, non-GMO ascorbic acid available anywhere in America (at least not to my knowledge). You can't even run batches of non-GMO ascorbic acid production in the USA because all the facilities are contaminated with residues of GM corn. I have been buying my ascorbic acid crystals from PureBulk for many years. This company has excellent prices and great service. It's the best vitamin C for me! Some brands offer something called liposomal encapsulated vitamin C, which small studies have shown may increase the amount that the body is able to use. But it may not be worth the additional cost since doses in supplements are typically significantly higher than the amount your body needs, so your body can likely get enough from other supplement forms. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in some of your body’s most vital functions.Mineral ascorbates, such as sodium ascorbate or calcium ascorbate, are less acidic and may be preferable by people who experience digestive side effects when taking regular ascorbic acid. However, there is limited research on whether these forms are actually more well-tolerated ( 16). If this article has caused you to throw up your hands in dismay because the vitamin C you had chosen for your family turned out to be synthetic and probably of GMO origins, don’t despair!