1)Ester-c. Is it worth the price? It’s almost double vs. regular C
2)Same question about “Time released” multi-vitamins vs. regular ones

I’m no vitamin expert, but here’s my take:
First of all, make sure you actually need the vitamins. Taking vitamin supplements won’t help if you already get what you need in your diet.

The Ester-c is supposed to be taken up in the body faster, but I have never seen anything about there being trouble with the rate of uptake from regular c-vitamins. Maybe it will be faster and maybe you will take up more of it, but the question is, do you need all that extra c vitamin compared to what the regular one has to offer (if you even need it at all)

Well, how can I be sure that I got all vitamins I need?
The primary sources of vitamins is fruits and vegetables.
Suppose I have 2-3 apples daily.
It will be enough?
Don’t think so.
And I take ester-c not because of speed of absorption but because it doesn’t create acid environment(At least it is what I heard)

Well, the most common form of vitamin c, Ascorbic acid, is an acid. However, the body does very well at buffering to keep the body in a PH-balance.

If all the fruit and vegetables you have each day is a few apples, then you probably need some vitamins.. but I think the whole acidic thing is bogus.

Are there claims that regular vit-c supplements are supposed to be bad for you because of the acidic environment it creates, and if so, why is this acidic environment dangerous? common form of vitamin c, Ascorbic acid, is an acid. However, the body does very well at buffering to keep the body in a PH-balance.

EDIT: just found this:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/vrxt15218q871023/

haven’t read the entire thing yet, but it’s the only thing I can find that compares them. It seems ester-c is just an alternative for people who are sensitive to acidic foods. They also used high dosages (1000mg).

Thanks, appreciate your help

I disagree- vitamins are nutritional insurance. True, a majority of them can be gotten through whole foods, but vitamins can help correct minor deficiencies. So why not take a multi?

Well, the most common form of vitamin c, Ascorbic acid, is an acid. However, the body does very well at buffering to keep the body in a PH-balance.

If all the fruit and vegetables you have each day is a few apples, then you probably need some vitamins.. but I think the whole acidic thing is bogus.

Are there claims that regular vit-c supplements are supposed to be bad for you because of the acidic environment it creates, and if so, why is this acidic environment dangerous? common form of vitamin c, Ascorbic acid, is an acid. However, the body does very well at buffering to keep the body in a PH-balance.

I agree. The ph is tightly balanced in the body. Even a slight variation can screw you badly. usually the kidney, buffer sytem and lungs take care of changes in balance.

And you need to eat plenty of vegetables and fruits. We don’t how many nutrients are yet to be discovered or how they act in synergy.

Mumford - 13 April 2010 12:53 AM

I disagree- vitamins are nutritional insurance. True, a majority of them can be gotten through whole foods, but vitamins can help correct minor deficiencies. So why not take a multi?

I’m mostly opposed to the ester-c. You can take a multi to be on the safe side, but don’t think that gets you off the hook on the fruits and vegetables. As anoop said above me, there are a lot of things we haven’t discovered yet and we don’t know how they act.