Some of the best vitamin C supplements come from brands such as Thorne, Mindbodygreen, and more. Learn about the benefits of vitamin C supplements and the best options to choose from here.
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.
In addition to supporting skin health and your immune system, vitamin C also
Vitamin C can be
Obtaining nutrients from whole foods is the preferred approach, but if you have difficulty meeting your nutrition needs for any reason, you may need to take a supplement. The supplements on this list were chosen based on quality, manufacturing standards, usability, and price.
Keep reading to learn about the best vitamin C supplements, picked by our dietitians Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD and Ansley Hill, RD, LD.
A note on price
Pricing guide
- $ = under $0.20 per serving
- $$ = $0.20 to $0.40 per serving
- $$$ = over $0.40 per serving
Vitamin C plays an essential role in the body. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, it has been found to have several benefits, particularly for skin and immune health.
Found concentrated in the skin, vitamin C
The most commonly known benefit of vitamin C, though, is for immune health, particularly as it relates to the common cold.
Older
Additionally, a
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What to know about vitamin C deficiency
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.
In addition to supporting skin health and your immune system, vitamin C also
Vitamin C deficiency is rare in developed countries, but inadequate intake of the vitamin can
If you smoke, have kidney disease, take certain medications, or consume a very limited diet, you may be at an
When shopping for a vitamin C supplement, you’ll want to consider:
- Quality: Evaluate whether a brand is reputable by exploring its ingredient sourcing and looking for companies that abide by the current Good Manufacturing Processes established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To ensure that a product contains what it says it does, it’s best to look for one that’s tested by a third-party organization, such as United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Consumer Lab, or NSF International. You should also asses the ingredients for added sugar, artificial ingredients, and additives.
- Dose: A very important consideration is the dosage, since vitamin C supplements come in a wide range of doses. For most healthy males and females, it’s
recommendedTrusted Source to consume 90 mg and 75 mg of vitamin C per day, respectively. Generally, high doses of 1,000 mg or above are unnecessary and couldcontributeTrusted Source to unwanted side effects. Consume high doses only if a doctor recommends doing so. - Form: Vitamin C supplements are available in tablets, capsules, liquids, powders, gummies, and chewable tablets. If you prefer to take a pill, you’ll want to check out encapsulated vitamin C supplements. However, if you don’t like swallowing pills or want to mix the supplement into beverages, you’ll want to purchase a liquid or powdered product.
- Price: Some professional-grade brands can be expensive, but keep in mind that a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean a better product. Think about how many servings you’ll get out of each purchase and consider how much this might cost long term.
Useful supplement shopping guides
Check out these two articles to help make supplement shopping a breeze:
Although vitamin C is a natural compound, getting too much of it can cause uncomfortable and potentially serious side effects.
Some of the
- headaches
- flushed skin
- nausea
- vomiting
Consuming high doses above 1,000 mg per day of vitamin C for prolonged periods may also
Always speak with a doctor before adding any nutritional supplement to your routine.
Though most vitamin C supplements come in the form of ascorbic acid, several other types are also available. Currently, there is no definitive answer as to which type of vitamin C is best, but some research shows that liposomal vitamin C can help increase the absorption of vitamin C.
The best brand of vitamin C supplements will depend on the dose of vitamin C you’re looking for and how rigorous the brand’s testing procedures are. Some of our top picks come from mindbodygreen, Thorne, and NOW supplements. You should prioritize buying supplements from brands that send their products through third-party testing.
The recommended daily amounts of vitamin C are 75 mg for adult females, and 90 mg for adult males.
There is some evidence that liposomal vitamin C can help with absorption. That said, regular vitamin C is still an effective supplement to try if you need to boost your levels.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that plays a diverse role in keeping your body healthy.
Although vitamin C deficiency is rare in developed countries, it can cause serious health concerns that, if left untreated, could be fatal.
If you have trouble getting enough vitamin C from your diet, supplements are a great option. They come in a variety of physical forms, dosages, and price points.
Always consult a healthcare professional prior to adding any new supplements to your health and wellness regimen.
