Overview

Ester-C is a patented form of longer-acting vitamin C that is bioavailable and non-acidic. This new ingredient is an exciting evolution and at the forefront of modern nutritional management.

Ester-C is a unique, patented form of Vitamin C presented as calcium ascorbate/threonate. Prepared using a water-based manufacturing process, Ester-C is a pH neutral (non-acidic) product containing naturally occurring vitamin C metabolites.

This form of vitamin C is rapidly absorbed and shows an extended profile of retention within the immune system. Vitamin C activity from Ester-C is detected in white blood cells up to 24 hours after administration compared to 4-6 hours with other sources. The pH neutral nature of Ester-C ensures that this formulation is also gentle on the stomach.

Chemical Properties

Ester-C® is a unique, patented form of calcium ascorbate-threonate produced in Arizona exclusively by The Ester C Company. Production uses a water-based manufacturing process resulting in a non-acidic, pH neutral product that also contains naturally occurring vitamin C metabolites. Ascorbate is the active form of vitamin C, corresponding to the fully reduced form of ascorbic acid.

Ascorbate (Vitamin C) functional properties

Vitamin C as ascorbate is a powerful reductant, with the capacity to donate an electron to substrate molecules. The biological roles of ascorbate are related to this activity and can be divided into enzymatic and non-enzymatic functions.

The best known enzymatic function of ascorbate is as a cofactor for dioxygenases involved in collagen synthesis. These enzymes participate in the hydroxylation of amino acids proline and lysine which is necessary for formation of the triple-helical structure of mature, functional collagen fibres. Ascorbate is also involved in the function of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of carnitine and noradrenalin (norepinephrine). Additionally, regulation of the expression of proteins involved in iron homeostasis, blood vessel formation and cell proliferation is influenced by ascorbate-mediated hydroxylation activity. Recently it has been discovered that ascorbate prolongs vasorelaxation through dilation of the vascular wall by increasing the formation and bioavailability of nitric oxide.

Ascorbate forms a central part of the antioxidant network that effectively protects biologic molecules from oxidative damage. Ascorbate directly reduces or ‘scavenges’ many reactive oxygen species and free radicals. Additionally, ascorbate reduces urate and glutathione radicals which permits them to function within the antioxidant network of cells. Ascorbate also indirectly inhibits the peroxidation of lipids by regenerating the active, reduced  form of Vitamin E from its’ oxidised form.

Advantages of Ester-C®

Ester-C® as ascorbate provides all of the benefits ascribed to vitamin C, including anti-oxidant properties, immune system support and effective collagen synthesis and vasodilation. In addition, provision of vitamin C as Ester-C® has several functionally central advantages.

• The vitamin C (ascorbate) activity remains in white blood cells for up to 24 hours, whereas that from dosing with standard ascorbic acid is gone within 6 hours. The presence of key metabolites including threonate appears to be responsible for this enhanced retention of activity.
• The ascorbate in Ester-C® is taken up more effectively by cells than ascorbic acid. This may be due to the presence of threonate in Ester-C® which has been shown to increase cellular uptake of vitamin C.
• Ester-C® is non-acidic and is therefore gentle on the stomach.