What is Qualia Vitamin C+?

Due to the numerous critical roles vitamin C plays in wellness, it’s not enough to simply supplement it; we believe it matters how you supplement it. You may have wondered this before: “If vitamin C is so healthy, why does it make my stomach hurt?” Have you ever asked whether any types of vitamin C are more bioavailable than others? Are any gentler on the stomach? Are there any phytonutrients that help the body retain and use vitamin C? Questions like this were what we had in mind when we created Qualia Vitamin C+. We wanted to create a product featuring forms of vitamin C known for enhanced bioavailability and gentleness on the stomach.* Before we dive into why we are thrilled to share Qualia Vitamin C+ with you, though, let’s provide a bit of background on vitamin C itself. 

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a vitamin found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, including citrus fruit (orange, grapefruit, lemons, limes), peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and strawberries. Vitamin C deficiency results in scurvy. The name ascorbic (“without scurvy”) is derived from the Latin word for scurvy, scorbuticus. Since vitamin C corrects this deficiency, it has antiscorbutic activity, which is actually where its name came from. 

In the historical context of vitamin C, scurvy had been known about since ancient times, and killed many sailors during the European age of exploration in the 1500s-1700s. In 1747, a British Royal Navy ship’s surgeon (Dr. James Lind) found that fresh citrus fruits prevented scurvy [1]. However, it wasn’t until the years 1928-32 that scientists isolated the compound responsible. A Hungarian biochemist, Albert Szent-Györgyi, is credited as vitamin C’s discoverer. As with many things in science, it was a team effort as other people were doing similar work at about the same time [2]. We mention this because Szent-Györgyi’s original starting material for isolating the compound was adrenal glands (he later switched to paprika) [3]. Adrenal glands are major players in the stress response: they produce cortisol, epinephrine, and other compounds as part of the body's stress-response system (called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, or HPA, axis), and they concentrate vitamin C. In fact, both the brain and adrenals concentrate vitamin C and appear to get priority when it comes to making sure they have enough [4].* 

What Szent-Györgyi stumbled on with the vitamin C-adrenal gland connection hints at an important foundational concept: vitamin C isn’t just an antioxidant. It is involved in a remarkably wide range of biological functions. It is essential for the synthesis of collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, which is critical for the health of your skin, joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and blood vessels [5]. It helps the body produce brain chemicals like norepinephrine and serotonin, which are important for  a healthy mood and cognitive functioning [6]. It supports the absorption of plant-based iron from the diet and helps the body use iron more effectively compared to without vitamin C [7]. It supports the immune system in multiple ways, from helping maintain the skin as a physical barrier, to supporting the normal activity of white blood cells [8]. Vitamin C is needed to make adrenal stress hormones, such as adrenaline and epinephrine [9]; the adrenal glands also release vitamin C as part of their response to stress, which can lower its availability over time [10,11]. Vitamin C may even have a “braking effect” on the adrenals, helping to balance the stress response and support a quicker recovery after stress [12–14]. Of course, it is well-regarded as one of the body’s most important water-soluble antioxidants, aiding in neutralizing free radicals and protecting cells from oxidative stress [15].* 

If you’re thinking that vitamin C plays a major role throughout the body’s normal biological processes from head to toe, you’d be right. However, there is a caveat to the relationship our bodies have with vitamin C. Unlike most animals, the human body is unable to synthesize vitamin C. Not only can’t we make it, but tissues store little vitamin C. In fact, the body only holds about 1500 mg of vitamin C at any given time [16,17]. So, we must consistently obtain vitamin C from the diet. Average intake of vitamin C from dietary sources alone is about 75-100 mg. The daily recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 90-120 mg, with the recommended upper limit of intake being around 2000 mg [18,19]. Although it may appear that dietary amounts cover what you need, some experts have suggested that additional intake may offer potential benefits for certain individuals. That thinking is reflected in studies conducted by the scientific community. Amounts of 500 mg, and even up to 1000 mg, are commonly studied in published scientific literature across a variety of the processes that we mentioned above [20–27].* 

That’s quite a big gap. You might be asking yourself: “Why is there such a large difference between the RDA and the studied doses?” To start, tissue saturation, or the amount your body can hold, is believed to occur around 200-400 mg of vitamin C [26]. Scientific studies tend to supplement this amount or more. For example, your body's need for vitamin C may increase to support its normal functions during times of physical stress, intense exercise, or as needed to sustain a healthy immune system response [26,28–30].*

There is some evidence that higher doses (i.e., 250-1000 mg) also let certain individuals “feel” like they’re taking something, with these amounts supporting a normal feeling of vitality [20,25,31]. Whether it’s by taking 1 capsule, 2 capsules or 4 capsules, we wanted to make sure we offered the flexibility for users to supplement an amount of vitamin C that is within these studied ranges. That’s why we designed Qualia Vitamin C+ with 500 mg per serving, one of the most popular scientifically studied doses, split across two 250 mg capsules for easy flexibility. The recommended serving size of Qualia Vitamin C+ (500 mg) follows the scientific literature and is more than five times the Daily Value (556% of the RDA for adult men and 667% of the RDA for adult women) [19,32,33]. For those who wish to consume a 1000 mg amount of Vitamin C, it would be 4 capsules.* 

Our approach to Qualia Vitamin C+ formulation was based on a belief that it may not be enough to simply supplement vitamin C; it can matter how you supplement it. The status quo of vitamin C supplementation tends to focus solely on a single source: ascorbic acid. This approach, however, comes with its own problems. Standard ascorbic acid has limited cellular uptake, relatively rapid bodily excretion, and can be harsh on the stomach at higher doses [32,34,35]. At Qualia, we believe the status quo isn’t good enough. Breaking through the status quo is what we had in mind when we created Qualia Vitamin C+.*  

Qualia Vitamin C+ is designed to supply comprehensive support to help maintain healthy vitamin C levels since this nutrient is needed for immune health, antioxidant defense, collagen production, and overall vitality. It achieves this through a unique combination of seven distinct sources of vitamin C using different delivery technologies, mineral-buffered forms, and high-potency superfruit extracts that set it apart in the market. These include the liposomal PureWay-C®, which has been clinically shown to achieve numerically higher blood levels than standard forms. It also includes Nutra-C®, a buffered (non-acidic) form with enhanced bioavailability that is designed to be gentle on the stomach [36,37]. These different delivery systems are supported by Citrus Bioflavonoids, which complement and work with vitamin C the way nature intended; Ferulic Acid, a plant-derived antioxidant that uniquely supports vitamin C’s antioxidant activity; Zinc Ascorbate, which delivers both zinc and vitamin C for two-ingredient immune support; and a full-spectrum blend of superfruit extracts, Camu Camu, Acerola Cherry, Amla, and Rose Hips, that provide vitamin C alongside the natural polyphenols and phytonutrients found in whole foods. We’re proud of Qualia Vitamin C+ and excited to share it with you. I invite you to try it and share your experience.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

A Few Notable Studies About the Ingredients in Qualia Vitamin C+

Don’t just take our word for it. These are a few publications from scientific journals highlighting some of the Qualia vitamin C+ ingredients.

In a clinical study of healthy elderly adults, 500 mg of vitamin C supported healthy immune cell function, with levels of activity approaching those in younger adults (PubMed 33091525).*

PureWay-C® achieved the highest numerical serum vitamin C levels among four tested forms and was significantly greater than calcium ascorbate, suggesting greater bioavailability (PubMed 18971870).*

In a double blind, placebo-controlled study, vitamin C supplementation (500 mg twice daily) supported mental vitality, including attention and work engagement, in healthy young adults with low vitamin C levels, a dosing achievable with two servings of Qualia VItamin C+ (PubMed 34476568).*

Nutra-C® demonstrated higher serum concentrations of vitamin C compared to synthetic vitamin C in a clinical study of healthy volunteers, indicating enhanced bioavailability (Korea Science JAKO201628740920330).*

Ferulic Acid demonstrated complementary antioxidant interactions with ascorbic acid in both isolated cell membranes and intact cells, per an in vitro study (PubMed 15080655).*

In a small clinical study, camu camu juice with vitamin C and natural phytonutrients supported greater antioxidant activity than a dose-matched standard vitamin C supplement (PubMed 18922386).*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Qualia Vitamin C+ Ingredients

Liposomal PureWay-C®

One of the issues with Vitamin C is that the portion absorbed decreases when increasing amounts are taken. The same finite capacity for uptake occurs in tissues and cells throughout the body. This is because vitamin C absorption and cellular uptake relies on transporters, and this transport system saturates with a moderate amount of vitamin C [38]. Originally introduced in 2007, PureWay‐C® is a patent-protected matrix of ascorbic acid bonded with lipid (fats) metabolites and natural citrus bioflavonoids. This matrix isn’t just there as a filler; it serves a functional purpose. It was developed as a way to overcome this transport limitation, supporting rapid intestinal absorption, cellular uptake, and tissue retention of vitamin C.*

The original PureWay-C® clinical study compared four different vitamin C forms. They were given at the same dose to healthy volunteers who had maintained a low vitamin C diet for 14 days prior to the study. PureWay-C® achieved the numerically highest serum vitamin C level at all time points measured (1, 2, 4, and 6 hours following supplementation). Further, it demonstrated a significantly greater amount of serum vitamin C than calcium ascorbate at all time points, indicating improved bioavailability compared to a mineral ascorbate. PureWay-C® supplementation also supported healthy antioxidant activity [36]. A cell study added additional evidence that PureWay-C® supported measures of cellular activity in vitro, significantly outperforming Ester-C on both measures [39].* 

Recently, the makers of PureWay-C® decided to add liposomal technology to this already advanced form of vitamin C. This liposomal technology adds another layer of support for bioavailability. We chose Liposomal PureWay-C® as the primary source of vitamin C in Qualia Vitamin C+ for a simple reason. We wanted to be able to take vitamin C in an amount more than the moderate dose where transport systems saturate, so we selected an ingredient developed as a solution to this issue. Liposomal PureWay-C® supplies 350 mg of vitamin C per serving of Qualia Vitamin C+, making it the backbone of our formula.* 

PureWay-C® and the Liposomal PureWay-C® logo are trademarks of One Innovation Labs, LLC in the U.S. and other countries.

Nutra-C®

If PureWay-C® is the deep-rooted anchor of the formula, Nutra-C® is the steady, reliable groundcover that fills in the rest of the garden. Nutra-C® is a patented form of vitamin C produced through a proprietary water-based process that creates calcium and magnesium ascorbates, along with naturally occurring vitamin C byproducts. While PureWay-C® excels at rapid uptake and retention, Nutra-C® excels at something equally important: it is a buffered, non-acidic form of vitamin C that is designed to be gentle on the stomach and ideal for everyday use.* 

Being gentle on the stomach matters more than many people realize. One of the most common complaints of taking vitamin C supplements, especially at higher doses, is gastric discomfort [32,40]. Standard ascorbic acid, as its name suggests, is acidic by nature, and, at the doses needed for meaningful supplementation, can cause occasional stomach upset in sensitive individuals. Nutra-C® avoids this problem. As a mix of mineral ascorbates, it has a neutral pH, around that of a glass of water, which means it can deliver vitamin C without the GI irritation that can accompany standard forms.* 

The bioavailability of Nutra-C® is also a compelling reason for formula inclusion. In a clinical study of healthy volunteers, a single 500 mg dose of Nutra-C® was better absorbed and supported longer retention than an equivalent dose of ascorbic acid [37]. The enhanced bioavailability, combined with its gentleness on the stomach, makes it an ideal complement to PureWay-C®. The combination of Liposomal PureWay-C® and Nutra-C® was formulated to support both rapid cellular delivery and sustained, comfortable daily supplementation. The calcium and magnesium naturally present in Nutra-C® also contribute trace amounts of essential minerals that support the overall cellular work the body performs to stay healthy. The included amount of Nutra-C® in Qualia Vitamin C+ supplies 110 mg of vitamin C per serving.* 

Nutra-C® is a registered trademark of Novotech Nutraceuticals, Inc. USA. 

Zinc Ascorbate

We chose Zinc Ascorbate as our zinc source for a straightforward reason: it delivers both zinc and vitamin C in a single compound. Rather than adding a separate zinc chelate that competes for space or adds unnecessary bulk to the formula, Zinc Ascorbate allows us to supply 25% of the daily value for zinc while simultaneously contributing an additional 14.25 mg of vitamin C per serving of Qualia Vitamin C+ [41].* 

Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in hundreds of chemical reactions throughout the body. Its role in supporting healthy immune function is particularly well documented [42–44]. A comprehensive review in Nutrients described zinc as a “gatekeeper of immune function,” highlighting its role in supporting the communication between different types of immune cells [42]. Zinc deficiency, even at marginal levels, can impair immune cell activity. Mild zinc deficiency, the kind that doesn't cause obvious symptoms, is more common than many people realize. For example, about 30% of older adults are considered to be zinc deficient, and those consuming plant-based-only diets also tend to have mild zinc deficiency [42].* 

What makes the pairing of zinc and vitamin C particularly compelling is their complementary roles in immune defense. A review examined the evidence for this pairing and concluded that adequate intakes of both nutrients can support the body’s normal immune processes [43]. Delivering zinc alongside vitamin C reinforces the immune-support foundation of Qualia Vitamin C+. We selected the amount of Zinc Ascorbate to support healthy immune activity without tipping the biochemical scales; zinc is a nutrient where balance matters, and excessive intake can potentially interfere with copper absorption [41]. This amount complements dietary intake and supports the overall immune and antioxidant framework of Qualia Vitamin C+ [41].*

Full-Spectrum Fruit Extract Blend

The "OG" source of vitamin C is, of course, fruit. Before there was ascorbic acid in capsules on a shelf in the store, there were citrus fruits on sailing ships, and, before that, wild berries and tropical fruits that indigenous cultures relied on long before anyone knew what a vitamin was. We included four of the most potent vitamin C-rich fruits (Camu Camu, Acerola Cherry, Amla, and Rose Hips) to provide a natural, food-matrix background for the formula. The reasoning for this is simple but important. In nature, vitamin C is never found in isolation. It exists within a matrix of polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and other protective plant compounds.*

There is some evidence indicating that this matrix matters for how the body works with vitamin C. In a clinical study, men received either pure ascorbic acid or acerola juice standardized to the same amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C from acerola juice tended to reach higher plasma concentrations and was excreted significantly less in the urine at 1, 2, and 5 hours after ingestion compared to standard ascorbic acid [45]. In other words, the whole-fruit source supports the amount of vitamin C that can get into, and how long it is retained in the body. This aligns with what we’ll discuss about Citrus Bioflavonoids below. It’s a recurring theme in the science of vitamin C metabolism, and a theme that has been baked into Qualia Vitamin C+ from the beginning.* 

Each fruit in our blend brings something distinct. Camu Camu is a vitamin-C rich Amazonian superfruit with over 50 identified antioxidant compounds, including ellagic acid derivatives and quercetin [46,47]. Amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry, is one of the most important plants in Ayurvedic medicine, rich in gallic acid, ellagic acid, and a variety of tannins [48]. Acerola Cherry, a small, ruby-red tropical fruit native to the Caribbean and Central America, that is one of nature's most concentrated natural sources of Vitamin C — containing up to 50 to 100 times more Vitamin C by weight than an orange — along with naturally occurring carotenoids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids [49]. Rose Hips, the small, ruby-red fruits of the rose plant, have a centuries-long history in European folk medicine. As a more recent example, during World War II, the British government organized the collection of wild rose hips as an alternative vitamin C source when citrus imports were cut off [50]. This blend's role is to supply vitamin C the way it occurs in nature: embedded in a matrix of whole-fruit compounds that complement the vitamin C from other sources and may support how the body absorbs, retains, and utilizes this essential nutrient.*

Citrus Bioflavonoid Blend

In nature, vitamin C is never found alone; it is always found with bioflavonoids. We’ve included citrus bioflavonoids rich in hesperidin, one of the most well-studied citrus bioflavonoids, to support the vitamin C in Qualia Vitamin C+ to perform as nature intended. Bioflavonoids were discovered in 1936 by Albert Szent-Györgyi, who found that vitamin C alone was not always as useful as crude extracts from oranges or lemons that contained both bioflavonoids and vitamin C [51–53]. This is a main reason why citrus bioflavonoids are often combined with vitamin C. Think of bioflavonoids as being a complement to vitamin C for supporting some of its functions.*

Historically, the human evidence for this combination is compelling. One study indicated that a citrus extract containing ascorbic acid, citrus bioflavonoids, carbohydrates, and proteins aided in the absorption of vitamin C compared to standard ascorbic acid alone [54]. This work was the human follow-up study to an earlier guinea pig trial by the same researchers. In this study, again, the ascorbic acid combined with bioflavonoids from citrus extract was more bioavailable than ascorbic acid [55]. The main citrus bioflavonoid is hesperidin, which is also the primary bioflavonoid in our blend. A recent study showed that hesperidin taken in combination with vitamin C led to a numerically greater increase in plasma vitamin C than either alone [56]. Beyond absorption, citrus bioflavonoids also support healthy vitamin C levels in some tissues, including the adrenal glands [55,57–59].* 

The citrus bioflavonoids in this formula are made from orange and lemon peels and quince fruits. Citrus bioflavonoids have been used in a wide range of doses in human studies, depending on the intended use, and whether they are alone or combined with other ingredients. Studies using citrus bioflavonoids for cognitive support have used doses ranging from about 70 to 380 mg, and the recent hesperidin study we spoke about earlier used 240 mg [56,60–62]. A single medium-sized orange has about 20 mg of flavanones, one of which is hesperidin [63]. More recently, a study using a 250 mg citrus bioflavonoid supplement daily found that it supported the body's natural metabolic function and antioxidant capacity over 12 weeks [64]. We selected our dose to be in the range commonly used in human studies. The 250 mg of citrus bioflavonoids provides an amount found in approximately 5-10 oranges.*

Ferulic Acid

Ferulic acid is a plant-derived antioxidant found abundantly in the cell walls of many fruits, vegetables, and cereal grains. Its name comes from Ferula, the genus of the giant fennel plant from which it was first isolated. Ferulic acid is actually a significant part of the average diet. One review estimated that consumption of vegetables, fruits, cereals, and coffee may result in up to 150-250 mg per day of ferulic acid intake [65]. It’s a compound that most people are consuming daily often without realizing it. Our reason for including ferulic acid in Qualia Vitamin C+ comes down to a single word: “complementary.”*

We’ve discussed the complementary actions of bioflavonoids and vitamin C. Ferulic acid extends that theme to a different class of plant antioxidant. Per an in vitro study, some evidence suggests it can cooperate with vitamin C in preserving the physiological integrity of cells exposed to free radicals [66]. This cooperative antioxidant relationship is the scientific foundation for including ferulic acid in the formula. Oxidative stress is not a single-pathway problem. Free radicals come in different forms: they operate in both water-soluble and lipid-soluble parts of the cell and attack different cellular targets (i.e., membranes, proteins, DNA, etc.). Combatting this requires multiple vectors of defense. Vitamin C is a powerful water-soluble antioxidant, but it can have limitations in lipid environments. Ferulic acid, due to its molecular structure, can operate at the boundary between the watery and fatty parts of cells, which is exactly where oxidative damage often occurs.* 

Pairing ferulic acid with vitamin C may support more of the antioxidant landscape than either compound could cover alone. Qualia Vitamin C+ supplies 10 mg of ferulic acid per serving. This amount is included as a complementary layer to the vitamin C and bioflavonoids in the formula. Think of ferulic acid as a fertilizer for the plants in the garden; it’s not visible, but it helps the plants thrive. It’s not here to carry the formula; it’s here because the science shows that antioxidants work more effectively as a team, and we believe ferulic acid is one of the best partners for vitamin C.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.References

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