Sodium Ascorbate & Oxidation

Sodium ascorbate is a mineral salt of ascorbic acid, an organic compound better known as vitamin C. Some proponents claim it's a more bioavailable form, meaning that more of the vitamin becomes available in the bloodstream. Like other forms of vitamin C, sodium ascorbate is an antioxidant.

Types

• Like other mineral ascorbates, sodium ascorbate is somewhat less acidic than plain ascorbic acid. It may therefore be beneficial in people who experience gastrointestinal distress with the plain form, although the evidence to support this claim is limited.

Function

• Sodium ascorbate is a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which is essential in the body for the synthesis of collagen (an important structural protein) and norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter critical to proper brain function. Severe vitamin C deficiency can result in a disease called scurvy.

Benefits

• Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant; since it is easily oxidized, it can protect other molecules like DNA or RNA from oxidation by free radicals or reactive oxygen species. Sodium ascorbate's benefits in this regard are the same as those of any other form of vitamin C.

Considerations

• Although it's thought that sodium ascorbate may be more bioavailable than other forms, there's little evidence at this point to suggest that it provides any more benefit than plain ascorbic acid. There is at present no reason to believe that any one form of vitamin C is better than another.

Warning

• 1,000 milligrams of sodium ascorbate typically contains 111 milligrams of sodium, so high levels of sodium ascorbate intake can significantly increase the amount of sodium in your diet. As always, if you're in doubt about whether this supplement is right for you, it's best to consult with your doctor.