In other words, whatever the source or the method of synthesis or extraction used, the L-ascorbic acid maintains its biological activity and its bioavailability unchanged regardless of its origin.
(Malpighia glabra L. fruits), we cannot forget the very important role of the phytocomplex: a more or less broad set of molecules that determines the overall biological activity of a drug, modulating the action of the characterizing active principles.In other words, taking 100 mg of synthetic vitamin C and taking the same amount through an acerola extract standardized in L-ascorbic acid is not the same thing, not because the vitamin C itself has a different biological activity, but because there are several substances associated with it.
While in the first case we have a pure and isolated vitamin C, in the acerola extract we also find substances that modulate its biological activity and bioavailability; the acerola fruits, in particular, contain other molecules with antioxidant activity, such as flavonoids and vitamins (carotenoids , B1, B2, PP); the high concentration of tannins, thanks to the astringent action, counteracts the potentially laxative action of high-dose vitamin C and sugars (fructose, dextrose).
The example, of course, can also be extended to common foods; on the other hand, the differences between eating an orange or a kiwi and taking a tablet that provides the same amount of vitamin C are evident even to inexperienced eyes. that food supplements cannot and will never be able - however complete and effective they may be - to replace a "healthy and balanced diet.
If a specific supplement of ascorbic acid is required, the choice between natural vitamin C and synthetic vitamin C depends on the functional meaning of the supplement: for example, if you simply want to enrich your diet with ascorbic acid for various reasons, it is worthwhile focus on the cheaper synthetic vitamin C, while if the intent is to increase the intake of antioxidants it is good to focus on plant extracts rich in vitamin C or on more complex supplements, containing - for example - also lipoic acid, resveratol, tocopherols and tocotrienols.
, kiwi, peppers and chillies, berries, broccoli, fresh fruit and vegetables in general) - remember:
- Acerola (Malpighia glabra L.) fruits, 1000-4500 mg of vitamin C per 100g
- Rosehip (Rosehip L.) fruits ,, 300-1700 mg of vitamin C per 100g
- Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruits, 150 - 499 mg of vitamin C per 100 g
- Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh) fruits, 2000-3000 mg of vitamin C per 100g
- Kakadu Plum (Ferdinandian Terminalia Exell) fruits, 3200-5000 mg of vitamin C per 100g
The vitamin C content, referred to 100 g of fresh fruit, varies in relation to the climate, the soil and the cultivated varieties, and significantly decays with the passing of the days after harvesting.
(or the dried fruit juice), in the phytocomplex together with natural vitamin C, unwanted substances could also be found for some particular categories of patients, especially for those with multiple allergies.
