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CL Answer

Is Ester-C the best form of vitamin C?

Info on Ester-C Vitamin C, including which form of vitamin C is best, fully-reduced, liposomal and others based on absorption and side effects. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Is Ester-C the Best Form of Vitamin C? -- bottle of Ester-C

Product Review

Vitamin C Supplements Review

Find the Best Vitamin C Supplements

Vitamin C Review 2023

CL Answer

When choosing a vitamin C supplement, should you look for one that is "reduced," "L" form (l-ascorbic acid), or "natural"?

Are supplements containing "natural" vitamin C, "reduced" vitamin C, or l-ascorbic acid better than regular vitamin c or ascorbic acid supplements? Find out if these forms are better absorbed or have other advantages, plus, learn about buffered and slow-release forms of vitamin C.

Forms of Vitamin C

Clinical Update

8/03/2016

Is Ester-C Better?

One of the forms of vitamin C in supplements is Ester-C. In addition to being non-acidic, a recent study suggests another possible benefit over regular vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Get more information about this and other forms of vitamin C in the "ConsumerTips" section of the Vitamin C Supplements Review >>

Product Review

Quercetin & Rutin Supplements Review

Quality's a Concern With Quercetin and Rutin Supplements -- Only 17% of Claimed Amount In One

News Release

February 25, 2024

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2024 Based on Consumer Satisfaction

White Plains, New York, February 25, 2024 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on over 10,000 responses collected in November/December 2023.

News Release

December 13, 2023

Best Vitamin C Supplements? ConsumerLab Selects Its Top Picks

White Plains, New York, December 13, 2023 —  It’s officially cold season in the U.S., a time when many people may turn to vitamin C supplements to help “boost” their immune system and ward off colds.

News Release

February 25, 2023

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2023 Based on Consumer Satisfaction

White Plains, New York, February 25, 2023 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 8,600 responses collected in November/December 2022.

CL Answer

Is it possible to take too much vitamin C?

Find out the daily value of vitamin C, along with possible side effects of excessive vitamin C intake. ConsumerLab explores the topic of proper vitamin C supplement usage, and why taking too much can be harmful.

Bottles of vitamin C pills

Product Review

Joint Health Supplements Review (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Boswellia, Collagen and Turmeric)

One-Third of Joint Health Supplements Failed to Pass Our Tests. See Which Passed or Failed, and our Top Picks.

Review of Supplements for Joint Pain

News Release

February 25, 2022

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2022 Based on Consumer Satisfaction

White Plains, New York, February 25, 2022 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 8,049 responses collected in November/December 2021.

News Release

February 25, 2021

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2021 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users

White Plains, New York, February 25, 2021 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 9,647 responses collected in November 2020.

News Release

June 06, 2020

Best Vitamin C Supplements Revealed by ConsumerLab

White Plains, New York, June 6, 2020 — Due to its role in maintaining immune system health, vitamin C has been promoted to help prevent and treat COVID-19, as well as other viral infections such as colds.

News Release

February 25, 2020

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2020 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users

White Plains, New York, February 25, 2020 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 9,782 responses collected in late November and early December 2019.

News Release

February 25, 2019

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2019 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users

White Plains, New York, February 25, 2019 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 10,931 responses collected in late November and early December 2018.

CL Answer

Which supplements, foods or diet and lifestyle changes help relieve acid reflux (heartburn), and which worsen it?

Find out which supplements and foods can help relieve acid reflux, and which can make it worse.

Supplements Making Acid Reflux Worse -- Man with acid reflux pain

News Release

February 25, 2018

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2018 Based on Consumer Satisfaction

White Plains, New York, February 25, 2018 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 11,446 responses collected in late November and early December 2017.

News Release

March 15, 2017

ConsumerLab.com Reveals Best and Worst Vitamin C Supplements -- 20% Fail ConsumerLab.com Tests of Quality

White Plains, New York, March 15, 2017 — Many people take large doses of vitamin C believing it will improve their health, prevent colds or reduce the risk of disease — but will it really? And when choosing a vitamin C supplement, can consumers be sure it contains what it claims? To ...

News Release

February 25, 2017

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2017 Based on Consumer Satisfaction

White Plains, New York, February 25, 2017 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 9,505 responses collected in late November and early December 2016.

News Release

February 25, 2016

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2016 Based on Consumer Satisfaction

Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 11,534 responses collected in November, 2015. Respondents gave ratings for 963 brands and 399 merchants.

News Release

February 25, 2015

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2015 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users

Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 10,329 responses collected in November, 2014. Respondents gave ratings for 1,709 brands and 891 merchants.

News Release

February 12, 2014

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2014 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users

Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 10,326 responses collected in November, 2013. Respondents gave ratings for 1,639 brands and 788 merchants.

News Release

January 29, 2014

You May Be Getting More Vitamin C Than You Think from Some Supplements, Cautions ConsumerLab.com -- 27% of Vitamin C Supplements Don't Meet Label Claims in Recent Tests --

White Plains, New York, January 29, 2014 — It's cold and flu season, which means many people are reaching for vitamin C, as it may modestly reduce cold symptoms (although it won't prevent a cold).

News Release

February 01, 2013

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2013 Based on Consumer Satisfaction

Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 10,862 responses collected in November, 2012. Respondents gave ratings for 1,438 brands and 851 merchants.

News Release

March 12, 2012

Review of vitamin C supplements by ConsumerLab.com finds many of high quality but a wide range in prices

White Plains, New York — March 8, 2012 — Vitamin C may boost the immune system and is critical for maintaining healthy connective tissue, but do you need to take a supplement and, if so, how do you find one that is right for you and at the best price? ConsumerLab.

News Release

February 01, 2012

Top-rated vitamin and supplement brands and merchants on consumer satisfaction for 2012 -- Based on ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users

Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 10,260 responses collected in November, 2011. Most respondents used multiple supplements.

News Release

March 07, 2008

ConsumerLab.com finds most vitamin C supplements pass quality tests but one short on ingredient and some exceed tolerable levels

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — MARCH 7, 2008 — ConsumerLab.com reported test results today for a wide variety of vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C is the top-selling single vitamin in the U.S., with sales of $863 million in 2006 according to Nutrition Business Journal.

News Release

October 10, 2006

Care advised with natural cold remedies: ConsumerLab.com finds few products with proper quality and directions — ConsumerLab.com offers advice from tests of echinacea, garlic, ginseng, vitamin C, and zinc supplements

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2006 — Autumn is the beginning of "cold season" — the period through early spring when people are most likely to develop a cold. But based on ConsumerLab.

News Release

March 14, 2005

ConsumerLab.com reports on vitamin C supplements — Test Results for 29 Products Reported Along with Information on Use

WHITE PLAINS, NY — MARCH 14, 2005 — ConsumerLab.com reported test results today for a wide variety of vitamin C supplements purchased at retail. Vitamin C is the top-selling single vitamin in the U.S., with sales of $770 million in 2003 according to Nutrition Business Journal.

Recalls & Warnings

June 20, 2020

FTC Warns 30 More Companies for Coronavirus Claims

On June 18, 2020, the FTC announced that it sent warning letters to 30 companies for selling products such as immune system boosters, colloidal silver, vitamin C, and CBD with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).

Recalls & Warnings

August 27, 2013

FTC Refunds Consumers of Children's Vitamins as Part of Deceptive Advertising Settlement

On August 8, 2013, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it has mailed 10,144 refund checks to consumers who purchased Disney or Marvel Hero -themed children's vitamins, including Disney Princesses, Winnie the Pooh, Finding Nemo, and Spider-Man varieties, between May 1, 2008 and September ...