Ester C

Each caplet of this product contains 500 mg of vitamin C in the form of calcium ascorbate, along with 200 mg of citrus bioflavonoids. It also contains 110 mg of calcium from the calcium ascorbate.

Most vitamin C supplements use ascorbic acid. But, as the name implies, this form is acidic. And some find that this upsets their stomach. But the calcium in the Ester C "buffers" the ascorbate and thus lessens any stomach upset. Also, it is claimed that calcium ascorbate is better absorbed than ascorbic acid.

The citrus bioflavonoids are added to Ester C as this is how vitamin C is found in nature, in "complex" with bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids are antioxidants in their own right and help to increase the absorption of vitamin C. As the name implies, such bioflavonoids are found in citrus fruits like oranges. They are especially concentrated in the "white" portion on the inside of the rind. It is for this reason that it is recommended when peeling an orange that you leave as much of the white part on as possible.

That said, my experience with vitamin C is probably rather unique. Generally speaking, if I take more than a couple of hundred milligrams of vitamin C it will cause me to urinate frequently. So I generally need to avoid multiple vitamin and minerals supplements that have 500 mg or more of vitamin C in them. However, I am able to take Jarrow's Multi Easy Powder and Multi 1-3 with no problems despite them both containing 500 mg of vitamin C. But they both have it in the form of calcium ascorbate. So I can only assume that the calcium ascorbate is being better absorbed than ascorbic acid and thus does not cause me any problems.

But 500 mg is somewhat lower than what some recommend for vitamin C when taking it for its antioxidant protection or to reduce post-workout soreness. So I have tried taking additional vitamin C. And I've found that I can use as much as 1000 mg of vitamin C in my post-workout drink via Jarrow's Vitamin C Powder even though it is ascorbic acid. But if I try to take it at other times then I run into the urination problems. I can only assume that this is because my need for vitamin C is so great after a workout that I am fully absorbing it.

With my problem with ascorbic acid at times other than during my workouts and with my lack of problem with the calcium ascorbate in the Jarrow multis, I have tried supplementing with Ester C. Since it contains vitamin C in the same form as the multis, I figured it would not be problematic. And in fact, I did not run into the same urination problem with Ester C as I do with ascorbic acid. However, Ester C makes me drowsy. And if I take for several days in a row, it makes me light-headed. I'm not sure why this is as I do not get drowsy or light-headed from the Jarrow multis. Maybe it is the citrus bioflavonoids or the combination thereof.

But whatever the case, I cannot use Ester C on a regular basis. However, if I have trouble sleeping at night, I find that taking one caplet helps me to get to sleep. So I keep a bottle of Ester C on my nightstand so I can reach as need be.
Finally, it should be noted that Ester C is a trademarked combination that includes both calcium ascorbate and the bioflavonoids. Several different brands of Ester C are available in varying strengths. I am recommending Natrol's brand here as it has the same amounts as what I have used. But Jarrow Formulas has a version of "Buffered Vitamin C" that contains calcium ascorbate but without the bioflavonoids. I have not tried it, so I cannot say if it would have the same effect on me or not.