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Safety and tolerance of ester-C compared with regular ascorbic acid.
Joerg Gruenwald1, Hans-Joachim Graubaum, Regina Busch
1Analyze and Realize AG, Berlin, Germany.
Advances in Therapy
|April 29, 2006
Summary
Ester-C calcium ascorbate, a vitamin C supplement, caused significantly fewer stomach issues than regular ascorbic acid (AA) in healthy volunteers sensitive to acidic foods. Ester-C demonstrated superior tolerability, making it a better option for sensitive individuals.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Nutrition
- Gastroenterology
- Dietary Supplements
Background:
- Acidic foods can cause epigastric distress.
- Ascorbic acid (AA) is a common vitamin C supplement.
- Ester-C is a patented form of vitamin C (calcium ascorbate).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare epigastric adverse effects of Ester-C versus regular ascorbic acid (AA).
- To evaluate the tolerability of Ester-C in healthy volunteers sensitive to acidic foods.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial.
- 50 healthy volunteers sensitive to acidic foods participated.
- 1000 mg of vitamin C (Ester-C or AA) was administered daily for 3 days, with a 3-day washout period between phases.
Main Results:
- 56% of participants reported mild to moderate epigastric adverse effects.
- Ester-C intake resulted in 37.5% of adverse effects, compared to 62.5% for AA.
- Ester-C was rated "very good" by 72% of participants, significantly higher than AA (54%).
Conclusions:
- Ester-C causes significantly fewer epigastric adverse effects than regular ascorbic acid.
- Ester-C is better tolerated by individuals sensitive to acidic foods.