Use a liposomal Vitamin C for superior absorption, not standard ascorbic acid.
The Absorption Revolution
I used to take massive, 2000mg tablets of standard ascorbic acid, thinking I was flooding my system with Vitamin C. The problem was, most of it was just being flushed out, leading to expensive urine and sometimes an upset stomach. Then I discovered liposomal Vitamin C. The vitamin is wrapped in a layer of fat, which protects it from the digestive system and delivers it directly into the cells. I could take a much lower dose and feel a far greater effect on my energy and immune health. It was a revolution in absorption.
Stop taking a single, massive 2000mg dose of Vitamin C. Do split it into several smaller doses throughout the day.
The Saturation Point
I thought I was being efficient by taking one huge Vitamin C tablet in the morning. I later learned that the body can only absorb a few hundred milligrams at a time. Anything beyond that saturation point is simply excreted. My single massive dose was incredibly wasteful. I switched to taking 500mg four times a day. This kept my blood levels of Vitamin C consistently elevated, providing my body with all-day antioxidant support instead of one brief, wasteful flood.
Stop only taking Vitamin C when you’re sick. Do take a consistent daily dose for its antioxidant benefits.
The Proactive Shield
I used to treat Vitamin C like a fire extinguisher, only reaching for it when I felt the first spark of a cold. It was a reactive strategy. Then I learned that its true power lies in its role as a daily antioxidant shield. By taking a consistent dose every day, I was helping my body fight off the daily damage from stress and pollution. My skin looked better, my energy was more stable, and I found myself getting sick less often in the first place. I was preventing fires instead of just putting them out.
The #1 secret for enhancing collagen production is combining Vitamin C with collagen powder.
The Collagen Cofactor
I started taking collagen powder for my skin and joints, and the results were pretty good. But then I learned the secret that unlocked its full potential. Vitamin C is an essential cofactor in the synthesis of collagen; your body literally cannot build new collagen without it. I started mixing a scoop of Vitamin C powder into my daily collagen drink. The results were astounding. My skin became more vibrant and my joints felt more resilient than ever before. The two supplements were good apart, but together they were unstoppable.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about Vitamin C is that it will prevent you from ever getting a cold.
The Duration, Not Prevention Lie
Every time winter approached, I would start mega-dosing Vitamin C, believing it was an impenetrable shield that would make me immune to colds. And every winter, I’d inevitably catch a cold and feel defeated. The truth is, even high doses of Vitamin C have not been proven to prevent colds in the general population. Where it shines is in potentially reducing the duration and severity of a cold once you have it. I stopped expecting it to be a magic force field and started using it as a tool to bounce back faster.
I wish I knew that buffered Vitamin C (like calcium ascorbate) was easier on my stomach than plain ascorbic acid.
The Stomach Soother
I wanted the benefits of Vitamin C, but every time I took a standard ascorbic acid tablet, I would get a sour, acidic feeling in my stomach. It was unpleasant and made me inconsistent with my supplementation. I wish I had known about buffered forms sooner. I switched to calcium ascorbate, which binds the ascorbic acid to calcium. This creates a non-acidic, pH-neutral form that is much gentler on the stomach. I could finally take an effective dose without any of the uncomfortable side effects.
I’m just going to say it: You don’t need to supplement with Vitamin C if you eat a diet rich in bell peppers, citrus, and broccoli.
The Real C
I used to diligently take my Vitamin C pill every morning. One day, I was making a salad and realized my red bell pepper had nearly three times the Vitamin C of my supplement. My morning orange had a full day’s worth. My side of broccoli had another huge dose. I realized I was paying for a pill to give me something that nature was offering in abundance, in a more delicious and bioavailable form. I ditched the pills and focused on eating a C-rich diet. I felt better and saved money.
99% of people make this one mistake when getting sick: waiting until they have a full-blown cold to start taking Vitamin C.
The Ticking Clock
The moment we get sick, we run to the store for Emergen-C, thinking we can stop the cold in its tracks. We are already too late. By the time you have full-blown symptoms, the virus has already replicated and taken hold. The mistake is waiting. The scientific evidence shows that the benefits of Vitamin C are greatest when taken at the absolute onset of symptoms—that very first sneeze, scratchy throat, or feeling of being “off.” Once the house is on fire, the extinguisher is less effective.
This one habit of squeezing fresh lemon into your water will change your daily Vitamin C intake forever.
The Lemon Water Ritual
I wanted to increase my Vitamin C intake but hated swallowing more pills. I started a simple, enjoyable habit. Every morning, I squeeze the juice of half a fresh lemon into my first glass of water. Not only did it make my water taste better and encourage me to hydrate, but it provided a nice, natural dose of Vitamin C and other antioxidants to start my day. It’s a small ritual that feels refreshing and cleansing, and it effortlessly boosts my nutrient intake without me even thinking about it.
If you’re still taking chewable Vitamin C tablets loaded with sugar, you’re losing the health battle.
The Sugary Sabotage
I thought chewable Vitamin C was a great way to get my kids—and myself—to take it. It tasted like candy. One day, I actually read the ingredients list. The first ingredient was sugar, followed by corn syrup. I was taking a supplement to improve my health that was simultaneously feeding inflammation and bad gut bacteria with a dose of sugar. It was a complete contradiction. I was trying to do something good for my body while sabotaging it with the other hand. I threw the bottle away.