LIFE EXTENSION MAGAZINE

Blood lab vials lined up for sustained vitamin C levels

Sustained Vitamin C Blood Levels

A patented delivery system elevates vitamin C more than unformulated vitamin C, maintaining higher blood levels over an extended period.

By Michael Downey.

Vitamin C supports the immune system and other aspects of health.

The human body cannot produce vitamin C.¹

Daily intake is required to sustain vitamin C levels.

At doses above 200 mg, however, vitamin C is only partially absorbed and rapidly meta-bolized by the body.²

By combining it with plant-based compounds, more vitamin C can be absorbed and maintained.

Consumers can achieve nearly seven times greater vitamin C bioavailability compared to an equivalent dose of regular (unformulated) vitamin C.³

Absorbing More Vitamin C

Studies show that higher levels of vitamin C enhance immune function and may help reduce cardiovascular risks. ^4,5

At doses over 200 mg, unformulated vitamin C is only partially absorbed and rapidly used by the body.

A new delivery system circumvents this problem. It elevates blood levels of vitamin C nearly seven times more than unformulated vitamin C—and it delivers higher levels over an extended period.³

This improved delivery of vitamin C was achieved by combining two different plant-based formulation methods. Both have been used in the past to enhance bioavailability (absorbability) of other nutrients.

The first method involves liposomes. These are small structures made of plant-derived phospholipids, the same types of compounds making up cell membranes of all living cells. Encapsulating vitamin C in liposomes improves its absorption into the bloodstream.
But liposomes themselves can degrade. The second method uses a compound known as a hydrogel to protect the liposomes. A hydrogel is comprised of fiber called galactomannans, derived from fenugreek seeds. It surrounds and shields the liposomes, allowing for sustained absorption of the vitamin C released in the intestines.

Together, these techniques enable more vitamin C to be absorbed over a longer period of time.

Sustained Vitamin C Blood Levels

When regular, unformulated vitamin C is taken, blood levels peak about one hour after ingestion and then rapidly drop back to baseline.

When liposomal hydrogel vitamin C is taken, blood levels continue to rise up to four hours after ingestion and reach a much higher level. Taking this formulation just once a day leads to high around-the-clock vitamin C levels in the blood.

A recently published clinical study measured blood plasma levels of vitamin C and found: ³

Taking 400 mg of vitamin C in the liposomal hydrogel formula increased average overall body exposure to vitamin C over a 12-hour period by close to seven times compared to the same dose of unformulated vitamin C.

At 12 hours after ingestion, this liposomal hydrogel formula maintained higher blood levels than the same dose of regular, unformulated vitamin C.

Defense Against Infections

Maintaining high levels of vitamin C can help it achieve its benefits, which include helping to improve cardiovascular health, initiate tissue-healing processes,^6,7 and reduce the risk, duration, and severity of the common cold.^8,9

Vitamin C’s most important function may be helping the immune system to defend against viral and other infections.¹⁰

Vitamin C fights infection by:

Helping neutrophils, a first line of immune defense, reach an infection. In a study of participants with inadequate vitamin C status, daily vitamin C intake led to a 20% increase in neutrophil migration.¹¹ In another study, vitamin C intake (with vitamin E) enhanced neutrophils’ ability to kill infectious agents.¹²
Promoting the growth, maturation, antibody production, and survival of lymphocytes.^13-16 Lymphocytes include B cells, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, all vital parts of the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack foreign invaders.
Providing infection barrier support. Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen, a structural protein providing strength and durability to barrier tissues that prevent viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents from entering the body in the first place.¹⁷

Liposomal hydrogel vitamin C makes it easier to achieve these and other health benefits.

What you need to know

More Efficient, Longer-Lasting Vitamin C

Vitamin C is critical for immune function, protection against infection, cardiovascular health, and more. It is not made by the body and must be taken orally.
Doses above 200 mg of unformulated vitamin C are only partially absorbed and metabolize quickly.
A new liposomal hydrogel formula protects the vitamin C, allowing more of it to be absorbed over a longer period of time. This results in significantly higher blood levels of vitamin C that persist for 24 hours.

Summary

Higher vitamin C levels can improve immune function and provide other benefits.

However, at doses greater than 200 mg, unformulated vitamin C is partially absorbed and rapidly metabolized.

A liposomal hydrogel delivery system yields approximately seven times higher vitamin C plasma levels and maintains higher levels all day long.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension^® Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

The Importance of High-Dose Vitamin C

Maintaining optimal levels of vitamin C throughout the day delivers wide-ranging benefits, including:
Immune support. Immune cells need vitamin C for activation and proper function, including fighting infections, reducing risk, duration, and severity of colds, and reducing breathing difficulties associated with airway irritation and asthma.^8,10-18
Wound healing and tissue strengthening. Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen, which provides strength to connective tissues throughout the body (including skin, bones, and cartilage) and helps accelerate wound healing after injury.^19-21
Cardiovascular protection. Compared to those with the lowest levels, people with the highest blood levels of vitamin C may be less likely to die from all causes, cardiovascular disease and ischemic heart disease and have a 42% lower risk of stroke.^2,22-25
Antioxidant activity. Vitamin C can help prevent or reduce oxidative damage, a major contributor to aging and age-related disease.²⁶

References

Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional. Accessed September 18, 2022.
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Joseph A, Kumar D, Balakrishnan A, et al. Surface-engineered liposomal particles of calcium ascorbate with fenugreek galactomannan enhanced the oral bioavailability of ascorbic acid: a randomized, double-blinded, 3-sequence, crossover study. RSC Adv. 2021Nov 23;11(60):38161-71.
Available at: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-C. Accessed September 18, 2022.
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Myint PK, Luben RN, Welch AA, et al. Plasma vitamin C concentrations predict risk of incident stroke over 10 y in 20 649 participants of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer Norfolk prospective population study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008Jan;87(1):64-9.
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