The gentle one
Buffered ascorbate (calcium, magnesium, or sodium ascorbate)
Less acidic, so it's easier on your stomach.
Good for: Everyday use · Easy on the stomach
What variations of vitamin C exist?
A water-soluble antioxidant the body needs to make collagen, support immune cells, and absorb iron from plant foods. The body can't make it, so it must come from food. It comes in 5 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Our top pick
- Also consider
- Budget-friendly: the classic one (Ascorbic acid)
Every form, in plain words
The gentle one
Buffered ascorbate (calcium, magnesium, or sodium ascorbate)
Less acidic, so it's easier on your stomach.
Good for: Everyday use · Easy on the stomach
The classic one
Ascorbic acid
The most studied and least expensive. Can bother a sensitive stomach.
Good for: Budget-friendly
The fruit-style one
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids
Comes with plant compounds found alongside it in fruit. Any extra benefit isn't well proven.
The fat-wrapped one
Liposomal vitamin C
Wrapped in tiny fat bubbles, which may be easier on digestion. Usually costs more.
Good for: Easy on the stomach
Usually skip
- The preservative (Ascorbyl palmitate)Mostly used to keep products fresh. Gives you little vitamin C.
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Buffered ascorbate' on the label (the gentle one)
Watch out for
- Chewables, gummies, or drink powders with added sugar
- Big servings that cause loose stools or gas, a sign it's more than your gut can absorb
Check with your provider first if…
- You've had kidney stones, especially oxalate stones (the most common kind)
- You have hemochromatosis or another iron overload, since vitamin C helps you absorb more iron
- You have kidney disease
- You have G6PD deficiency (an inherited red blood cell condition), especially before high-dose or IV vitamin C
- You're in cancer treatment. Check with your oncology team first.
In Dr. Lesher's store
13 products in Dr. Lesher's dispensary have vitamin C. Here's which form, where the label says.
Check with your provider before taking any of these, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
Designs for Health
C+BioFizz Effervescent Powder
Has buffered ascorbate (the gentle one)
Has ascorbic acid (the classic one)
2,569 mg per serving
Quicksilver Scientific
Hista-Aid
Has buffered ascorbate (the gentle one)
48 mg per serving
Vitanica
Nausea Ease
Has buffered ascorbate (the gentle one)
250 mg per serving
Seeking Health
Vitamin C Plus
Has buffered ascorbate (the gentle one)
Has ascorbic acid (the classic one)
2,600 mg per serving
Has ascorbic acid (the classic one)
15 mg per serving
MegaFood
Baby & Me 2™
Has ascorbic acid (the classic one)
50 mg per serving
MegaFood
Baby & Me 2™ Postnatal Multi
Has ascorbic acid (the classic one)
50 mg per serving
Designs for Health
CatecholaCalm™
Has ascorbic acid (the classic one)
33.33 mg per serving
Metagenics
Immune Active™
Has ascorbic acid (the classic one)
100 mg per serving
XYMOGEN
Leptin Manager
Has ascorbic acid (the classic one)
15 mg per serving
BioPharma Scientific
nanoLEAN®, Natural Berry
Has ascorbic acid (the classic one)
75 mg per serving
Wellex
Papillex
Has ascorbic acid (the classic one)
45 mg per serving
Designs for Health
Quercetin Ascorbate Powder
Has ascorbic acid (the classic one)
4,000 mg per serving
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.