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Vitamin C

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a high strength formation with a pleasant orange flavour in a chewable tablet.

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Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are compounds formed when our bodies convert the food we eat into energy. 

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are compounds formed when our bodies convert the food we eat into energy.


  • Reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms 
  • Support healthy immune system function 
  • Support wound healing and collagen formation
  • Assists healthy bone development

*This fact sheet by vivaLAB is for information purposes only and should not take the place of medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Most people get enough vitamin C from foods and beverages. However, certain groups of people are more likely than others to have trouble getting enough vitamin C like: 

  • People who smoke and those who are exposed to secondhand smoke, in part because smoke increases the amount of vitamin C that the body needs to repair damage caused by free radicals. People who smoke need 35 mg more vitamin C per day than nonsmokers. 
  • People who eat a very limited variety of food. 
  • People with certain medical conditions such as severe malabsorption, some types of cancer, and kidney disease requiring hemodialysis.

People who get little or no vitamin C (below about 10 mg per day) for many weeks can get scurvy. Scurvy causes fatigue, inflammation of the gums, small red or purple spots on the skin, joint pain, poor wound healing, and corkscrew hairs. Additional signs of scurvy include depression as well as swollen, bleeding gums and loosening or loss of teeth. People with scurvy can also develop anemia.

Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamin C. You can get recommended amounts of vitamin C by eating a variety of foods including the following: 

  • Citrus fruits (such as oranges and grapefruit) and their juices as well as red and green pepper and kiwifruit, which have a lot of vitamin C. 
  • Other fruits and vegetables—such as broccoli, strawberries, cantaloupe, baked potatoes, and tomatoes—which also have vitamin C. 
  • Some foods and beverages that are fortified with vitamin C. To find out if vitamin C has been added to a food product, check the product labels. 

The vitamin C content of food may be reduced by prolonged storage and by cooking. Steaming or microwaving may lessen cooking losses. Fortunately, many of the best food sources of vitamin C, such as fruits and vegetables, are usually eaten raw.

Vitamin C dietary supplements can interact or interfere with medicines that you take. Here are several examples: 

  • Vitamin C dietary supplements might interact with cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is not clear whether vitamin C might have the unwanted effect of protecting tumor cells from cancer treatments or whether it might help protect normal tissues from getting damaged. If you are being treated for cancer, check with your health care provider before taking vitamin C or other antioxidant supplements, especially in high doses. 
  • Vitamin C plus other antioxidants (such as vitamin E, selenium, and beta-carotene) may reduce the heart-protective effects of two drugs taken in combination (a statin and niacin) to control blood-cholesterol levels. It is not known whether this interaction also occurs with other statins. Health care providers should monitor lipid levels in people taking both statins and antioxidant supplements.

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional. Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet. If you have any pre-existing conditions, or are on any medications always talk to your health professional before use. Store your daily packs below 25°C in a cool, dry place, away from humidity and direct sunlight.