Synthetic L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C）

Why You Should Beware of Ascorbic Acid: Synthetic L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C）?

L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C） is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that your body doesn’t store it. You have to get what you need from food, including citrus fruits, broccoli, and tomatoes. When individuals are not getting enough  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C） in their diets, they often take synthetic  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C） supplements. Nearly all  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C） supplements on the market are made from ascorbic acid.

Many juices and fruit products are loaded up with ascorbic acid, even many organic, health food store versions. It seems that if a product is labeled “high in  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C）,” consumers will buy more of it. But let’s slow down and take a real look at how consuming acsorbic acid can be the opposite of “good for you”.

Why do we need  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C）?

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, you need  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C） for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body.  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C） helps the body make collagen, an important protein used to make skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels.  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C） is necessary for healing wounds, and for repairing and maintaining bones and teeth. It also helps the body absorb iron.

 L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C） is an antioxidant, along with vitamin E, beta-carotene, and many other plant-based nutrients. Antioxidants block some of the damage caused by free radicals, substances that damage DNA. The build up of free radicals over time may contribute to the aging process and the development of health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.

Why getting  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C） through ascorbic acid is a problem

According to an article in The Healthy Home Economist, ascorbic acid is actually synthetic  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C）, usually derived from GMO corn. And, there is a growing body of evidence that those consuming high doses of ascorbic acid should have reason to worry.

The Winter 2009 edition of Wise Traditions cites 3 studies, which give pause about large doses of  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C）. The first study (from the Jun 15, 2001 issue of Science) showed that “synthetic  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C） may contribute to the formation of genotoxins that can lead to cancer.” A second study presented to the American Heart Association showed a link between consumption of only 500mg of  L(+)-Ascorbic acid（Vitamin C） per day and a greater propensity toward thickening of the arteries (Los Angeles Times, March 3, 2000).

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