Vitamin C, known for its outstanding antioxidant and immune boosting properties, continues to be the one of the most popular and consumed vitamins anywhere in the world. LifeSource’s Vit. C-500 Chewable’s are pleasant tasting, convenient and guaranteed to provide you with 500 mg of the highest quality Vitamin C available. To increase the quality and effectiveness of our formula, we’ve included Acerola and Citrus Bioflavonoids.*

From the FDA's website: "Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of antioxidant vitamins may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive."

Great Tasting & Great for you! Kids love them!

Is this a necessary vitamin or can our bodies make enough to satisfy our needs?
Many plants and animals do not need to consume foods high in ascorbic acid to meet their need for Vitamin C because they are genetically programmed to produce enzymes that convert glucose into ascorbic acid. Unfortunately humans have only 3 of the 4 enzymes necessary for internal production of ascorbic acid, therefore we must satisfy our physical needs for this important vitamin through our intake of foods rich in vitamin C and/or take a good supplement.

What is the function of the Citrus Bioflavonoids?

Bioflavonoids are biologically active Flavonoid compounds found throughout the entire plant kingdom. Since the discovery of Flavonoids in 1936 when they were first isolated from lemons and called citrin and Vitamin P over 4,000 different types have been characterized. Though there are several forms of Bioflavonoids in the complex the predominant form is Hesperidin. These Flavonoids exhibit beneficial effects on capillary permeability and therefore support blood flow. They are antioxidants that work synergistically with Vitamin C as well as exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity.

Why are there color variations in your different Vitamin C products, and are they safe to take?

Most natural Vitamin C products vary in color from batch to batch and bottle to bottle. There are normally variations in the color of the raw material used during manufacturing, which is a normal occurrence. This is due to natural color variations in the source of the Vitamin C – generally, you will find C supplements to range in color from a light tan color to a light gray color.

Over the course of the shelf-life of a Vitamin C supplement, oxidation can cause a slight change in color, this is a normal occurrence, and the product is safe to use up until the expiration date, and even beyond. LifeSource is generally conservative with expiration dates, so a Vitamin C product is still safe after the date, (which is usually 2 years) it just may not be as effective due to oxidation.

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Vitamin C’s major role is to make collagen, the main protein substance of the human body that holds connective tissues together in skin, bone, teeth, and other parts of the body. Vitamin C is also critical for the proper function of our immune system, for manufacturing certain nerve transmitting substances and hormones, and for the absorption and utilization of other nutrients, such as Vitamin E and Iron. Vitamin C is also a very important and powerful antioxidant that works in the aqueous (water) environments of the body, such as the lungs and lens of the eye. Its primary antioxidant partners are Vitamin E and the carotenes, as well as working along with the antioxidant enzymes. Vitamin C regenerates oxidized Vitamin E, and restores the antioxidant potential of Vitamin E in the body. Chewable Vitamin C is recommended to be part of a daily regimen.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that functions as a powerful antioxidant. Acting as an antioxidant, one of vitamin C’s important functions is to protect LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage. (Only when LDL is damaged, does cholesterol appear to lead to heart disease, and vitamin C may be the most important antioxidant protector of LDL.)

Vitamin C is needed to make collagen, the “glue” that strengthens many parts of the body, such as muscles and blood vessels. Vitamin C also plays important roles in wound healing and as a natural antihistamine. This vitamin also aids in the formation of liver bile and helps to fight viruses and to detoxify alcohol and other substances.

Although vitamin C appears to have only a small effect in preventing the common cold, it reduces the duration and severity of a cold. Large amounts of vitamin C (e.g., 1–8 grams daily) taken at the onset of a cold episode shorten the duration of illness by an average of 23%.

Recently, researchers have shown that vitamin C improves nitric oxide activity. Nitric oxide is needed for the dilation of blood vessels, potentially important in lowering blood pressure and preventing spasm of arteries in the heart that might otherwise lead to heart attacks. Vitamin C has reversed dysfunction of cells lining blood vessels. The normalization of the functioning of these cells may be linked to prevention of heart disease.

Evidence indicates that vitamin C levels in the eye decrease with age and that supplementing with vitamin C prevents this decrease, leading to a lower risk of developing cataracts. Healthy people have been reported to be more likely to take vitamin C and vitamin E supplements than those with cataracts in some, but not all, studies.

Vitamin C has been reported to reduce activity of the enzyme aldose reductase in people. Aldose reductase is the enzyme responsible for accumulation of sorbitol in eyes, nerves, and kidneys of people with diabetes. This accumulation is believed to be responsible for deterioration of these parts of the body associated with diabetes. Therefore, interference with the activity of aldose reductase theoretically helps protect people with diabetes.