C-500 Calcium Ascorbate-C by NOW

If regular vitamin C upsets your stomach, buffered vitamin C fits. Calcium ascorbate is non‑acidic, so people with heartburn or sensitive digestion tolerate it better. It’s practical if your fruit-and-vegetable intake is low, you smoke or vape (needs are higher), or you want steady collagen support for skin and joints. If you’re taking iron for low Ferritin, use vitamin C, but consider a form without added calcium or take this at a different time.

Calcium ascorbate delivers ascorbate (the active vitamin C) paired with a small amount of calcium, which makes it gentler on the gut than plain ascorbic acid. Vitamin C powers collagen-making enzymes, the steps that strengthen skin, bone, and tendons. It also regenerates vitamin E, helps white blood cells function, and improves non‑heme iron absorption by reducing iron to a more absorbable form. Citrus bioflavonoids add plant compounds that ride along in foods where vitamin C naturally appears.

Take 1 capsule 1 to 3 times daily. Vitamin C uses a saturable transporter, so smaller split doses are absorbed better than a single large dose. Take with food if you’re sensitive; empty stomach is fine for most. If you supplement iron for low Ferritin, pair iron with plain ascorbic acid or take your iron at a different time than this calcium ascorbate—the small calcium here can compete with iron absorption at the same meal.

If you’ve had recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones, avoid high-dose vitamin C; stick to modest intakes unless your clinician agrees. People with iron overload disorders (like hemochromatosis) should not use vitamin C to boost iron absorption. Certain chemotherapy regimens are sensitive to antioxidants—ask your oncology team before use. For colds, daily vitamin C slightly shortens duration in some, but starting it after symptoms begin hasn’t shown meaningful benefit.

Skin and gum health changes are gradual; give collagen-related effects 8 to 12 weeks. Iron status (Ferritin and Iron) typically improves over 8 to 12 weeks when vitamin C is paired correctly with iron. hs‑CRP (an inflammation marker) doesn’t reliably drop with vitamin C alone. NOW includes 500 mg vitamin C and 55 mg calcium per capsule—useful for gentle daily use rather than megadoses.