Appeton Activ-C 100mg and 250mg are available in amber glass bottles containing 70 tablets. Appeton Vitamin C 500mg is available in 30 tablets

There is no ideal time to take Appeton Activ-C. But preferably, make it a habit to take before meals. This is to maximise the absorption of iron.

Large concentrations of vitamin C can be found in fruits such as citrus fruits, papaya, strawberries and cantaloupe. Raw leafy vegetables, tomatoes, rose hips, blackcurrant, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, green and red peppers are also good vitamin C sources. Ascorbic acid is readily destroyed during cooking processes. Considerable losses may also occur during storage.

The minimum daily intake of vitamin C needed to prevent scurvy is 10mg. This, however, does not provide acceptable reserves of the vitamin. The US RDA for adults is 60mg per day. Some studies have shown that a daily dose of 100mg or more may be needed to maintain or maximise the body pool of vitamin C.

Smokers. Cigarette smoke has a negative effect on vitamin C metabolism. It is recommended that smokers increase their intake to at least 100mg per day due to the lower concentrations of ascorbic acid in their serum. But they may need 200mg or more to maintain the same concentration of serum ascorbate as a nonsmoker who gets 60mg of vitamin C per day.

Alcohol drinkers. Regular heavy consumption of alcohol impairs the absorption and utilisation of vitamin C. Research indicated that a large intake of alcohol can depress the concentration of ascorbic acid in plasma and increase urinary excretion of vitamin C. Another study suggested that doses at 500 to 1000 mg per day may help.

The elderly. Elderly people are known to be lacking of this vitamin because of their poor diet. According to two studies, men and women over age 65 need daily doses of 150mg and 75-80mg, respectively to maintain a plasma level of 1.0mg/dl.

Diabetics. The tissues and organs of diabetics may be deprived of vitamin C, requiring them to consume more of the nutrient. Diabetics seem to lack the ability to transport this vitamin across the cell membranes, and may result in serious blood vessel complications, which are common among diabetics.

Workers exposed to toxins. Studies also showed that the blood levels of vitamin C could be low in workers who are exposed to occupational pollutants such as lead and coal tar.

If this vitamin is taken specifically to improve iron absorption or to block nitrosamine formation, then it should be taken with meals.

Ascorbic acid is usually well tolerated. The body does not store vitamin C but tends to excrete the excess amount. However, large doses were reported to cause diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal disturbances. Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid has a mild laxative effect on some people. It does not last long, and can be avoided by taking vitamin C in several smaller portions over the day, which incidentally also allows better absorption into your system. It has also been stated that large doses may result in hyperoxaluria and the formation of renal calcium oxalate calculi. But healthy people can ingest large amounts of ascorbic acid with relatively small increases in oxalate excretion and without an increased risk of oxalate stone formation. Tolerance may be induced with prolonged use of large doses, resulting in symptoms of deficiency when intake is reduced to normal. However, large doses have resulted in haemolysis in G6PD patients.

The more vitamin C you take, the more will appear in your urine. But with higher doses, say 500mg per day, your tissues attain a vitamin C level close to saturation. This is desirable because it makes more vitamin C available for the body’s self defence system.

Rebound scurvy has been reported in those on massive intakes of vitamin C, when the dosage is discontinued. Thus, supplements should be decreased gradually.

Bioflavonoids are the water-soluble companions of ascorbic acid, usually found in the same foods. Bioflavonoids are helpful in the absorption of vitamin C and prevent the destruction of vitamin C from oxidation, thereby improving and prolonging its functions.

Yes. Iron deficiency anaemia is caused by insufficient intake of iron and also by the failure to absorb iron from the diet. When foods high in vitamin C (orange juice, cauliflower) or vitamin C supplements, are taken together with meals, the absorption of iron is improved and can reduce or prevent iron deficiency.

Vitamin C may play an important role in the prevention of common cold.

As an antioxidant and a constituent of collagen, vitamin C may play a number of roles in maintaining cardiovascular fitness.

Over the years, many studies have found that vitamin C is an effective anti-cancer agent. Studies suggested that the antioxidant mechanism of this vitamin may help to prevent cancer in several ways. It combats the peroxidation of lipids and help to optimize the immune system. Vitamin C can also reduce the development of nitrosamines from nitrates (commonly used in processed foods). Once formed, nitrosamines can become carcinogenic. High doses of vitamin C may reduce the physical suffering by terminal patients. A study, however, found that high-dose vitamin C therapy was not effective against advanced malignant disease.

Vitamin C is able to inhibit the formation of carcinogenic compounds. Studies suggested that the antioxidant mechanism of this vitamin could help to prevent cancer in several ways.