Ascorbic acid and vitamin C are two common terms that chemically refer to the same substance. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin widely believed to be crucial for human health. And ascorbic acid is a form of vitamin C, usually appearing in pharmacies and health product markets under the name ascorbic acid.
The name ascorbic acid originated from the discovery that it can treat scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. Later, scientists determined that ascorbic acid is the chemical name for vitamin C and discovered that it also has a series of other important physiological functions.
Vitamin C is widely present in many organisms, including humans. It has antioxidant properties and can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. In addition, vitamin C also plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis, which is an important protein that constitutes tissues such as skin, bones, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also participates in the normal function of the immune system, helping to enhance the body’s resistance.
The name ascorbic acid emphasizes the important role of vitamin C in the treatment of scurvy, and perhaps it is not as eye-catching as the name vitamin C. Both ascorbic acid and vitamin C represent the same compound that the human body needs and play an important role in maintaining health.
We will also find many vitamin C supplements, among which the most common is ascorbic acid. So the question arises: is ascorbic acid and vitamin C the same thing?
1. Chemical structure
Ascorbic acid is actually a form of vitamin C, which is one of the water-soluble hydrochloride salts of vitamin C. Chemically, the structural formula of vitamin C is C6H8O6, which is a monosaccharide aldehyde, while ascorbic acid is its stable anhydrous form with the chemical formula C6H8O6. Therefore, from this perspective, ascorbic acid and vitamin C are the same substance.
2. Physiological effects
The physiological effects of ascorbic acid and vitamin C are basically the same, as ascorbic acid is the chemical name for vitamin C.
a. Antioxidants: Ascorbic acid and vitamin C are powerful antioxidants that can help reduce the production of free radicals and capture the already formed free radicals, thereby protecting cells from oxidative stress and free radical damage.
b. Immune enhancement: Ascorbic acid and vitamin C are crucial for the normal function of the immune system. They can promote the activity of white blood cells, increase antibody production, and support the activity of natural killer cells, thereby helping the body resist the invasion of viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens.
c. Collagen synthesis: Ascorbic acid and vitamin C are key elements in collagen synthesis. They promote the synthesis and cross-linking of collagen, maintaining the strength and elasticity of tissues such as skin, bones, articular cartilage, and vascular walls.
d. Iron absorption: Both ascorbic acid and vitamin C can increase the absorption rate of non hemoglobin iron, which is important for preventing iron deficiency anemia.
Although ascorbic acid and vitamin C have similar physiological effects, they still have the following differences:
a. Ascorbic acid is an anhydrous form of vitamin C, which is a comprehensive concept that includes two forms: reduced vitamin C and oxidized vitamin C.
b. Ascorbic acid is a chiral molecule that exists in two forms: L-ascorbic acid and D-ascorbic acid. And vitamin C usually exists in the form of L-ascorbic acid.
c. The sources of ascorbic acid and vitamin C are different. Ascorbic acid can be obtained from animal based foods or chemical synthesis, while vitamin C can only be obtained from plant-based foods.
3. Absorption and utilization
(1). Absorption: Ascorbic acid and vitamin C are mainly absorbed through the small intestine. They can be rapidly absorbed in intestinal epithelial cells through active transport mechanisms, namely active transport proteins (SVCT1 and SVCT2). In addition, ascorbic acid can also be absorbed through passive diffusion.
(2). Utilization: Once absorbed into the bloodstream, ascorbic acid will be distributed throughout various tissues throughout the body. Most vitamin C exists in the form of reduced (L-ascorbic acid), but a small portion is oxidized in the body to ascorbic acid (D-ascorbic acid). Ascorbic acid mainly participates in the following processes:
a. Antioxidant effect: Ascorbic acid captures free radicals within cells, reducing oxidative stress and cell damage.
b. Enzyme reaction: Ascorbic acid, as a cofactor of many enzymes, participates in various biochemical reactions, including collagen synthesis, hormone synthesis, and neurotransmitter formation.
c. Iron metabolism: Ascorbic acid facilitates the absorption and transport of non hemoglobin iron, promotes the formation of its reducing form (Fe2+), and improves the bioavailability of iron.
d. Immune regulation: Ascorbic acid participates in regulating the function of immune cells and the production of antibodies, enhancing the effectiveness of the immune system.
(3). Metabolism and excretion: After being metabolized in the body, ascorbic acid is mainly excreted from the body in the form of metabolic products in urine. The excretion of vitamin C is mainly carried out through the kidneys, and its excretion rate is positively correlated with the concentration in the body. When the intake of vitamin C in the body exceeds a certain limit, the filtration and reabsorption capacity of the kidneys will reach saturation, and excess vitamin C will be excreted from urine.
4. Supplementary methods
Although ascorbic acid and vitamin C are the same substance, their different characteristics lead to different supplementation methods. The best way to supplement with food is to choose fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, etc. If you want to supplement with oral supplements, the most common ones are various forms of vitamin C supplements, while ascorbic acid is usually a powder or granular supplement because it has a high solubility in water.
Although ascorbic acid and vitamin C are essentially the same, there are certain differences in absorption, utilization, and supplementation methods. Therefore, it is necessary to choose appropriate supplementation methods based on one’s own situation. Xi’an tgybio Biotech Co.,Ltd is Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid Powder supplier, our product support third party testing, we can supply free sample. At the same time, our factory also can supply OEM/ODM One-stop service. we have professional team to help you design packaging and labels. Our website is https://tgybio.goodao.net/. If you want to learn more, you can send e-mail to rebecca@tgybio.com or WhatsAPP +86 18802962783.
Post time: Jan-18-2024
