We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Diet

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Calcium Ascorbate?

By Rebecca Mecomber
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 18,537
Share

Calcium ascorbate is one of the mineral ascorbates, or mineral salts of ascorbic acids. It combines calcium, a mineral, with ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C. The addition of calcium salts to ascorbic acid buffers the acidity of the ascorbic acid, making it much easier for a person to digest the mineral salt and for it to be absorbed by the digestive tract. The combination is also convenient in that it provides supplementation for both calcium and vitamin C in one dose. Generally, 1,000 milligrams of calcium ascorbate provide approximately 900 milligrams of vitamin C and 100 milligrams of calcium.

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin and antioxidant, providing vital functions such as boosting the immune system and destroying free radical cells that can cause cancer. Calcium is essential for strong bone and teeth development. Combined into supplements, calcium ascorbate provides necessary nutrients while minimizing gastrointestinal discomforts such as diarrhea and nausea. This substance is especially helpful for severely ill patients who require increased nutrition for recovery but are unable to tolerate the more acidic supplements such as vitamin C.

Available in powder, chewable tablets and oral tablets, calcium ascorbate is best taken with food. Food slows down the digestive system, allowing the body to slowly absorb the calcium ascorbate supplement into the bloodstream and thus receive maximum benefits. Slow-release capsules are available for patients who are unable to consume food. Studies have shown that the absorption rate of calcium ascorbate remains largely the same no matter whether it is taken as a powder or as capsules.

This supplement is not without risks, however. Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means that the body flushes it out of the body through the urinary tract. Even so, excessive vitamin C intake of 500 milligrams or more has shown that it might cause damage to healthy DNA and increase the chances of hemochromatosis, a disease in which the body stores too much iron. High levels of calcium might cause kidney stones, soft tissue calcification and renal insufficiency.

Calcium ascorbate has limited uses. Besides supplements, it also is used as a food supplement source of vitamin C and as an additive to keep fruits fresh. It is added to freshly cut fruits and vegetables to prevent them from turning brown and to extend their shelf life.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-calcium-ascorbate.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.