Is Acid in Your Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) causing you Gastric?

The Star - 'Home Supplement' - 18th January 2009, Sunday

Too much stomach acid can cause stomach discomfort and in severe cases causes gastric.

Take this after meals to avoid it from causing gastric are common advised by doctors or pharmacists for medications that may cause stomach irritations.

Among all the supplements in the pharmacy today, Vitamin C remain the most commonly purchased vitamin after the ‘must-haves’ multivitamins and minerals. However, little is known that taking the acidic form of vitamin C (eg. ascorbic acid form), may have some effect ‘unpleasant effect’ on the stomach.


What type of Vitamin C should I take?


To answer that, we will need to know the types of Vitamin that is available in most pharmacy today.


There are 3 common types of Vitamin C:

Type 1: Vitamin C in Acid-Free form (eg. Kordel’s Acid Free Vitamin C - 100% non-acid)


This is the most popular type of Vitamin C as it is 100% Acid-Free as there are no residues of the acidic form of Vitamin C left in the product.


For individuals who are concern about gastric problems or have ‘sensitive stomach’ this type of Vitamin C in the Acid-Free form is the safest and most recommended type of Vitamin C.


Acid-Free type also the best type of Vitamin C for elderly, busy working executives who skip lunch often, smokers and children. In fact, Acid-Free Form of Vitamin C is suitable for everyone.
Type 2: Vitamin C in Ascorbic Acid Form (eg. Redoxon, Blackmores Vitamin C, Natural Factors Chewable C)


This form of vitamin C is the most common types of vitamin C found in pharmacy. It is in the ‘most basic’ type of vitamin C which is in the ascorbic acid.

Because it is in the ‘Acidic’ form, it is not advisable for individual who have gastric problems or who have ‘sensitive stomach’.

Type 3: Vitamin C in Buffer Form (eg. Blackmores Buffer C - is not 100% acid free)


This form of Vitamin C is the second most common type of Vitamin C found in pharmacy. Buffering is a term used by scientists to show that the Vitamin C has been added with a ‘buffering agent’ to reduce its acidic nature.

However, buffered form of Vitamin C is NOT 100% acid-free.

The buffering process, leaves some ‘acid’ residue in from the ascorbic acid making Vitamin C in Buffer Form only ‘marginally’ safe for individuals who have gastric problems or who have ‘sensitive stomach’.

Not sure if the Vitamin C you’re taking is Non-Acidic?


Look on the product label. If the in the ingredient panel, the ingredient list includes ascorbic acid or has the word low acid, this means the vitamin C product contains acid.

A 100% Non-Acidic Vitamin C labels should carry the word ‘acid-free’ or ‘non-acid’, showing that the Vitamin C is 100% Non-Acidic.

So, the next time an office colleague or a family member catches a flu or cold, make sure you choose a 100% Non-Acidic type of Vitamin C for him or her.

You’ll choose only 100% Acid-Free Form of Vitamin C from Kordel's, because you care!

This article is brought to you by Kordel’s as part of the ‘Cares Project’.


For more information, please call 03-55694337 or e-mail: ask-kordels@cambert.com.my