Difference Between Vitamin C and Ester C

The main difference between vitamin C and Ester C is that vitamin C is a natural product derived from fresh fruits and vegetables. whereas ester C is a synthetic product.

There seems to be a lot of confusion over the difference between vitamin C and Ester C. Vitamin C is a water-soluble essential vitamin and represents a group of nutritional organic composites that comprises L-ascorbic acid, ascorbate, and dehydro-ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is particularly significant for the health of the skin and immune system and collagen synthesis. In contrast, ester C is calcium ascorbate which is synthesized by buffering L-ascorbic acid with calcium. Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) has an acidic pH, and ester C has a neutral pH. Most importantly, vitamin C has low bioavailability compared to ester C.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Vitamin C
      – Definition, Chemical Structure, Properties
2. What is Ester C
      – Definition, Chemical Structure, Properties
3. Difference Between Vitamin C and Ester C
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Vitamin C, Ester C

What is Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for the overall health of human beings. It is chemically known as L-ascorbic acid, which is a weaker organic acid. Vitamin C represents L-ascorbic acid, ascorbate (salt of ascorbic acid), and dehydro-ascorbic acid (oxidized ascorbic acid). These three types of molecules have vitamin C biological activity. L-ascorbic acid can exist mainly at acidic pH or low pH. In the biological system, vitamin C acts as a cofactor in various enzymatic reactions and is also involved in collagen, norepinephrine, and carnitine synthesis. In addition, ascorbate may act as a natural antioxidant against oxidative stress.

Difference Between Vitamin C and Ester C

Figure 1: Lime and Lemon are exceptional sources of vitamin C

The deficiency of vitamin C can cause scurvy. Vitamin C is poorly absorbed by the mammalian intestinal tract and cannot be produced to reimburse for the deficiency. Recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C is 90 mg per day for an adult male and 75 mg per day for an adult female.

What is Ester C

Ester-C is an innovative patented form of vitamin C supplement formula, and chemically it is known as Calcium Ascorbate. The industrial production process involves buffering of L-ascorbic acid with calcium salt. This form of vitamin C has higher bioavailability because it is also combined with naturally-occurring vitamin C metabolites. As a result, the human gut can efficiently assimilate a higher percentage of ester C when compared to natural ascorbic acid. Ester C is a non-acidic product, and its pH is equal to 7.

Biologically, both vitamin C and ester C are involved in the same functions. The production of ester C may include heating up the ascorbic acid, which leads to the production of dehydro-ascorbate (DHA). DHA is a strong antiviral compound, and it can enter into the mitochondrial membrane which can protect from mitochondrial dysfunctions. DHA can also enter through the GLUT transporters and transform into ascorbate in the brain for normal functioning as well as to protect the neuronal tissue from ischemic stroke.

Difference Between Vitamin C and Ester C

Definition

Vitamin C is a water-soluble essential vitamin and represents a group of nutritional organic composites that comprises L-ascorbic acid, ascorbate, and dehydro-ascorbic acid. Ester-C is an innovative patented form of vitamin C supplement formula, and chemically it is known as Calcium Ascorbate.

Chemical Name and Formula

Regarding its chemical nature, vitamin C is a water-soluble sugar acid and is structurally allied to glucose. Its IUPAC name is 2-oxo-L-threo-hexono-1,4-lactone-2,3-enediol. Its chemical formula is C₆H₈O₆. Ester C contains Calcium ascorbate as its main chemical ingredient. Its IUPAC name is calcium (2R)-2-[(1S)-1,2-dihydroxyethyl]-4-hydroxy-5-oxo-2H-furan-3-olate. Its chemical formula is CaC₁₂H₁₄O₁₂. It also contains vitamin C metabolites.

Chemical Composition

Vitamin C only contains L-ascorbic acid.

Ester C is a combination of calcium ascorbate, Dehydroascorbate, calcium threonate, lyxonate, and xylonate.

Bioavailability

Vitamin C has less bioavailability compared to ester C. Ester C has three or four times greater bioavailability than regular natural vitamin C. But this fact is highly controversial.

Acidity

While vitamin C is an acidic compound, ester C is a pH-neutral product.

Source

Vitamin C is naturally derived from fresh fruits and vegetables. It is rich in guava, nelli, mangoes, tomato, red pepper, broccoli, grape, apricot, asparagus, pumpkin, papayas, carrots, yams, green leafy vegetables, and edible green leaves such as spinach, kale, sweet potato leaves, and sweet gourd leaves. However, ester C is not a natural product. It is a synthetic product. It is available in liquid, chewable, and powder form.

Economic Significance

Vitamin C is less expensive than ester C.

Side Effects

Excessive vitamin C consumption can cause gastrointestinal abnormalities, diarrhea, formation of kidney stones, reduced Vitamin B₁₂ absorption, excess iron absorption, and cellular damage for some individuals. Meanwhile, the use of ester C in chemotherapy patients/ with chemotherapy is controversial.

Food Additive

Vitamin C is widely used as a food additive to prevent oxidation and enhance shelf-life, while ester C is not used as a food additive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, vitamin C is an essential nutrient to the human body. Ester C is a vital vitamin supplement which is important to increase the vitamin C content in the human body. Both Vitamin C and ester C are involved in the similar biological functions without many significant differences. Both Vitamin C and ester C has proved to be effective against cancers, LDLs in atherosclerotic lesions and other cardiovascular diseases. However, vitamin C is a natural and safe supplement. But, ester C can be used in severe cases of scurvy as well as patients with gastrointestinal problems.