Vit C tablets or soluble Vit C

[fred206]

Hi,

I was wondering what is the best method of taking Vit C?.
Is it in tablet form or dissolved in water soluble .

I currently take 1000mg tablets which dissolves in water.

I take it to ease constipation(IBS),but it was also suggested on the forum to take magnesium .

Cheers

[Paxiled]

Technically, a vitamin tablet shouldn't dissolve in water -- it contains fillers and binders that are supposed to prevent it from doing that.  It might get pasty, but it's intended to survive water until it hits the acidic/alkaline environment of the stomach during digestion (that's why vitamin C is recommended to be taken with meals).  I haven't personally heard of it being used for constipation, however.  Vitamin C, if not buffered, is acidic, and in high doses can cause heartburn and gas, another reason it's recommended to be taken with meals.  If you want a powder, try something like Emergen-C, a high dose powder with each dose enclosed in a separate packet protecting it from oxidation.  Vitamin C begins to oxidize instantly on contact with the air, another reason not to dissolve a tablet in water first.  Another option is to take it in capsule form, avoiding the fillers and binders.  Magnesium, on the other hand, can help with constipation.  A better combination for that problem, which isn't to say one shouldn't take vitamin C, it's a great supplement, is the magnesium in citrate form combined with a fiber supplement such as Daily Fiber Formula by Yerba Prima, a gentle non-laxative way of easing constipation.

[fred206]

Hi ,Thank you for the helpful advice.

Re-reading my original question,It was rather unclear.

The VitC I have been using is a special tablet which in designed to dissolve in water,similar to the Emergen-C you suggested.

I haven't been taking the Vit C with food,and yesterday I had discomfort and gas :-(

Today I purchased Vit C in tablet form 500mg.I will now follow your advice and only take with meals.

Thank you again for your help,Cheers

[caregiver222]

The answer to the question is the least problems come with crystaline C, taken in several small doses, with food.  All of the tablets can cause intestinal upset and have the potential to exacerbate lesions in the stomach or intestine as they rest against the wall waiting to dissolve.