Wholefood Vitamin C

This is a critical distinction that sets our formula apart from isolated synthetic vitamin C. When you eat an orange, you're not just getting ascorbic acid—you're getting a complex matrix of bioflavonoids (hesperidin, rutin, quercetin), enzymes, phytonutrients, fiber, and cofactors that work synergistically to enhance vitamin C absorption, utilization, and retention in your body. Isolated ascorbic acid (the form in most vitamin C supplements) is just one component of the vitamin C complex. While it provides antioxidant benefits, it lacks the supporting nutrients that maximize effectiveness. Our Wholefood Vitamin C provides 500mg of vitamin C from multiple sources—acerola cherry extract (one of nature's richest vitamin C sources), whole food complex blend with 23 organically grown fruits and vegetables, plus ascorbic acid for therapeutic potency. You also get citrus bioflavonoids, rose hips, and rutin which enhance vitamin C absorption and provide additional antioxidant protection. The 60mg probiotic and enzyme blend (500 million CFU) supports digestion and immune function—your gut health is intimately connected to immune health. This whole food approach provides the vitamin C your body recognizes and utilizes most effectively, just as nature intended, without the massive sugar load (252 grams!) you'd get from eating 18 oranges to achieve the same vitamin C dose.

The RDA for vitamin C is quite low—75mg for women and 90mg for men—but these amounts are designed to prevent scurvy, not optimize health. Many functional medicine practitioners and researchers recommend 500-2,000mg daily for optimal immune function, antioxidant protection, and overall health, with higher doses (2,000-6,000mg daily in divided doses) during illness, high stress, or immune challenges. Our formula provides 500mg per serving (1-2 capsules), which can be increased to 2-3 capsules 2-3 times daily (3,000mg total) during acute needs. Vitamin C is water-soluble, meaning your body excretes excess amounts through urine rather than storing it—this makes vitamin C very safe even at high doses. The main side effect of excessive vitamin C is loose stools or diarrhea, which occurs when you exceed your body's absorption capacity (called "bowel tolerance"). This varies by individual and increases during illness—when you're sick, your body can absorb much more vitamin C than when you're healthy. If you experience loose stools, simply reduce your dose. Some people use the "bowel tolerance" method during illness—gradually increasing vitamin C until loose stools occur, then backing off slightly. There's no risk of toxicity from vitamin C, though individuals with kidney disease, kidney stones, or hemochromatosis (iron overload) should consult their healthcare provider before high-dose supplementation.*

This is what makes our formula truly comprehensive for immune and overall health. The connection between gut health and immune function is profound—approximately 70-80% of your immune system resides in your gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). The probiotics in our formula (Lactobacillus plantarum at 500 million CFU, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) support healthy gut flora balance, which is essential for proper immune response, nutrient absorption, and even mood regulation. These beneficial bacteria help crowd out pathogenic organisms, produce antimicrobial compounds, and communicate with immune cells to modulate immune function. The enzyme blend (acid-stable protease, protease, amylase, bromelain, cellulase, glucoamylase, papain) serves multiple purposes: they help break down the whole food complex for better nutrient absorption, support overall digestion (reducing bloating and discomfort), and some enzymes like bromelain and papain have direct anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting properties. Bromelain, derived from pineapple, has been shown to support respiratory health and reduce inflammation. Papain from papaya aids protein digestion and has antimicrobial properties. By combining vitamin C with probiotics and enzymes, we're supporting your immune system through multiple pathways—antioxidant protection, gut health, and digestive function—creating a synergistic formula that's greater than the sum of its parts.

Vitamin C is one of the most important nutrients for immune function, and your needs increase dramatically during certain situations. Increase your intake (2-3 capsules 2-3 times daily) during: cold and flu season, at the first sign of illness (scratchy throat, fatigue, sniffles), during high stress periods (stress depletes vitamin C rapidly), when traveling (exposure to new pathogens, disrupted sleep), after intense exercise (oxidative stress from training), during wound healing or recovery from surgery, and if you're a smoker (smoking depletes vitamin C significantly). Vitamin C supports immune function through multiple mechanisms: it's concentrated in white blood cells and is rapidly depleted during infection, it supports the production and function of neutrophils and lymphocytes (key immune cells), it enhances the activity of natural killer cells that destroy infected cells, it acts as a powerful antioxidant protecting immune cells from oxidative damage during the "respiratory burst" they use to kill pathogens, it supports the integrity of skin and mucous membranes (your first line of defense), and it modulates inflammatory responses to prevent excessive inflammation. Studies show that adequate vitamin C can reduce the duration and severity of colds, though it's most effective when taken consistently rather than only after symptoms appear. The whole food complex in our formula provides additional immune-supporting phytonutrients from 23 organic fruits and vegetables, creating comprehensive immune defense. For prevention, take 1-2 capsules daily; for acute support, increase to 2 capsules 2-3 times daily at the first sign of illness.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by The Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.