The human body does not produce vitamin C, so all of this important nutrient's requirements must be obtained through our diets, which are frequently deficient in vitamins. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, environmental pollutants and food-processing techniques can impact the level of vitamin C in your body. In addition, vitamin C is not stored in the body, so it must be replaced daily.

Vitamin C benefits many systems in our bodies, particularly the cardiovascular system. It is integral to the production of collagen molecules that provide the stability necessary for proper cardiovascular function. Bio-C provides a balance of high-potency vitamin C formulated with four select forms of this important antioxidant nutrient plus bioflavonoids to promote absorption.

Formulated to assure disintegration and dissolution to meet and exceed all standards, Bio-C does not contain sugar, starch, salt or preservatives.

RESEARCH BRIEF

Vitamin C is widely touted for benefiting the immune system, but it also offers significant benefits for cardiovascular function.

First, it aids in the production of collagen and elastin, which are the reinforcement rods of the body. Current clinical evidence suggests that the lack of adequate amounts of vitamin C over a period of years results in a breakdown of the collagen and elastin structure of the blood vessel walls. This breakdown leads to tiny, microscopic cracks or fissures in the walls. Cholesterol globules, surrounded by sticky lipoprotein (a) molecules, lodge in these cracks forming a sort of natural "plaster cast" to prevent blood leakage. This natural repair system eventually overshoots and the buildup of atherosclerotic deposits results. These fat deposits in the arteries of the heart can cause heart attacks and strokes.

Q. There are so many different types of vitamin C. Which one is the most easily assimilated and absorbed by the body?
A. A composition of different forms of vitamin C helps optimize your body's usage of this nutrient. Ascorbic acid and ascorbic salts are very important along with ascorbyl palmitate, a fat-soluble form of vitamin C that remains active in the body for about 24 hours and is very well absorbed. Bio-C contains all of these, along with citrus bioflavonoids, which work with vitamin C to increase its biological efficacy in your body.

Q. My multivitamin contains vitamin C. Why do I need to take Bio-C in addition to a multivitamin?
A. Most multivitamins offer a number of beneficial nutrients. To provide the variety and quantity of vitamin C offered in Bio-C, a multivitamin would be too large to swallow easily. Multivitamins are beneficial, but you can enhance your nutritional program by also including Bio-C.

Q. If I take Bio-C and a multivitamin, will I be consuming too much vitamin C?
A. No. This important nutrient is water-soluble, so your body can naturally eliminate excess supplies. Because of its water-soluble nature, vitamin C must be replaced in your body daily.

Q. In addition to increasing my vitamin C intake through supplements, what are some food sources from which I can obtain beneficial amounts of this nutrient?
A. Many fruits - including oranges, cantaloupe, kiwi, blueberries, strawberries and honeydew melon - are good sources of vitamin C. Red and green bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower and tomatoes also contain vitamin C.

REFERENCES

Liu J.F.; Lee Y.W. Vitamin C supplementation restores the impaired vitamin E status of guinea pigs fed oxidized frying oil. School of Nutrition and Health Science, Taipei Medical College, Taipei Taiwan, R.O.C., J. Nutr., 1998 Jan., 128:1, 116-22

Wen Y.; Cooke T.; Feely J. The effect of pharmacological supplementation with vitamin C on low-density lipoprotein oxidation. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol., 1997 July, 44:1, 94-7

Johnston C.S.; Thompson L.L. Vitamin C status of an outpatient population. Department of Family Resources and Human Development, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-2502, USA, J. Am. Coll. Nutr., 1998 Aug., 17:4, 366-70

Gustafsson U.; Wang F.H.; Axelson M.; Kallner A.; Sahlin S.; Einarsson K. The effect of vitamin C in high doses on plasma and biliary lipid composition in patients with cholesterol gallstones: prolongation of the nucleation time. Department of Surgery, Danderyd Hospital, Sweden, Eur. J. Clin. Invest,May, 27:5, 387-91

Cunningham J.J. The glucose/insulin system and vitamin C: implications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Department of Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003-1420, USA, Am. Coll. Nutr.,8 April, 17:2, 105-8

Maramag C.; Menon M.; Balaji K.C.; Reddy P.G.; Laxmanan S. Effect of vitamin C on prostate cancer cells in vitro: effect on cell number, viability and DNA synthesis. Division of Urologic and Transplantation Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655, USA, Prostate, 1997 Aug., 32:3, 188-95

Girodon F.; Blache D.; Monget A.L.; Lombart M.; Brunet Lecompte P.; Arnaud J.; Richard M.J.; Galan P. Effect of a two-year supplementation with low doses of antioxidant vitamins and/or minerals in elderly subjects on levels of nutrients and antioxidant defense parameters. Laboratoire de Biochimie des Lipoproteines, Universite de Bourgogne, Dijon, France J. Am. Coll. Nutr., 1997 Aug., 16:4, 357-65 50-81-7

Simon JA, Hudes ES, Tice JA. Relation of serum ascorbic acid to mortality among US adults. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001 Jun;20(#):255-63.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.