Most people think ascorbic acid is the same thing as Vitamin C.

But ascorbic acid is an isolate, which doesn’t contain all the micronutrients and enzymes found in whole food Vitamin C.

Although it does have certain benefits, and it’s part of my natural medicine cabinet, ascorbic acid is not the same thing as real, honest-to-goodness Vitamin C.

Apparently, this is a well-kept industry secret.

Many ascorbic acid supplements are labeled as Vitamin C. However, this ingredient is only part of the nutrient. It would be like taking an elephant tusk and calling it an elephant.

There’s even debate over whether ascorbic acid is safe to take long term. In our house, we do have a form of ascorbic acid. But it’s only used if we’re fighting a stubborn cold or other infection. I’d never take it on a regular basis, because I believe it’s more like a drug, than an herb.

In fact, according to another published report,* the vast majority of ascorbic acid consumed in the United States comes from one facility in New Jersey. This plant is owned by the pharmaceutical conglomerate called Hoffman-LaRoche.

Best Natural Vitamin C

(This post contains affiliate links, and if you purchase anything I receive a commission, at no extra cost to you.)

This is why, in our house, if we want some extra Vitamin C in our diet, we make sure to get it from a natural source. One of the best comes from an Amazonian berry.

Sometimes, just to give my body a boost, or for a gentle detox, I mix some pure camu camu powder in a glass of water and drink it.

In my journey toward better health, I’ve explored this topic in depth. I came to understand that laboratory-made “Vitamin C” is not the same as natural Vitamin C.

Real Vitamin C is what I want, most of the time. (There is an important EXCEPTION. That’s when I’m fighting an infection.) That’s when I reach for a form of ascorbic acid encased in lipids, which helps the body better utilize this isolate.

What’s The Best Source Of Natural Vitamin C?

Although a good diet, rich in organic fruits and vegetables, should provide adequate amounts of this all-important nutrient, sometimes my body seems to need a therapeutic dose.

For instance, I suffer from chronic nerve inflammation. I fight it with a good diet and, occasionally, anti-inflammatory supplements, such as natural Vitamin C.

After thoroughly researching this issue, and deciding what type of whole-food supplement I wanted, I settled upon camu camu powder. (But rose hips, acerola and other super foods would have been good as well.)

Camu camu comes from a berry that grows in the Amazon River basin. This fruit contains one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C on the planet.

Truly Natural Vitamin C

Camu camu also has certain amino acids and flavonoids, something you won’t get with ascorbic acid. Many alternative health experts believe all the components of Vitamin C are needed for it to work properly.

Although I certainly can’t claim this or any other natural remedy will help anyone else, organic camu camu powder is one of the supplements I’ll continue taking on a rotating basis to help control my condition. (I notice that herbs and essential oils, at least for me, work much better when I don’t take them continually. This is part of the reason I like to switch them around.)

Natural Vitamin C Powder

After initially ordering another brand, I chose the one shown below for my second and third orders. I took camu camu powder every day for months.

It did seem to help boost my energy and lessen my pain. It’s one of the many natural remedies that has potentially contributed to my improved health.

The reason I stopped talking it is that supplements seem to work best at first. Then the effect diminishes. This is totally normal and not a bad sign. Actually, it signals to me the supplement has done it’s job and it’s time to move on.

Below you can see the brand of camu camu I own. It lasts a long time because a little goes a long way. However, I need to stress that I’m not claiming that camu camu alone will cure your chronic pain.

It’s just one of the many methods I’ve used to fight chronic inflammation.

Natural Vitamin C Supplement

When we think if natural Vitamin C, our minds automatically go toward citrus fruits. This is certainly one way to get a dose of this crucial nutrient. However, there are even better sources, if you’re looking for a healthy supplement. They include:

Camu Camu – One of the best sources of pure natural Vitamin C anywhere. (It’s available here)

Acerola Cherry – These small red delicious fruits are said to have more than 60 times the Vitamin C content of an orange. (It’s available here)

Amla Berry – This fruit is so good for you that it’s often used as a health tonic in traditional Indian medicine. It contains about 20 times the Vitamin C content as an orange, according to the authority health site Natural News. (It’s available here)

Guava – This is a tropical fruit now found in Latin American markets and sometimes at regular grocery stores.

Kakadu plum – This is an Australian super food that contains a whopping amount of Vitamin C.

Disclaimer

These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take herbal remedies, unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.

I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are presented for discussion purposes only.

For Additional Reading

The Doctor Within