Doc, can you explain the difference between Vitamin C, Ester-C and rose hips? Given any differences, what is the best form to take?

Vitamin C comes in two basic forms, ascorbic acid and the different types of ascorbates. Ascorbic acid is the cheapest form, and it's the standard form of vitamin C. It's what I use as long as it's tolerated. (Some people don't handle the acidity of ascorbic acid in their stomachs well in high doses.) Capsule form using the standard ascorbic acid manufactured by Roche (and retailed by most supplement companies) is the way I usually go.

The ascorbates are vitamin C attached in a non-acidic form to other molecules such as sodium, calcium or magnesium. It's easier on the stomach but usually more expensive. (It's a great way to get one's calcium and magnesium along with the C.)

Ester-C is an expensive proprietary (patented) product that is basically an ascorbate with some additional ingredients to make it more powerful for the same-strength dose of vitamin C. Dr. Linus Pauling didn't buy the idea for a second, and I don't either, but it is mild on the stomach like the ascorbates.

Rose hips are a natural (and expensive) source of vitamin C. Most supplements that say "with rose hips" are misleading, as they have minimal amounts of rose hips mixed with good ol' synthetic vitamin C. I've not yet seen 100 percent rose hip supplements, and I'd be scared to see the price.

There are natural sources of vitamin C such as sago palm. These can be all natural and are more expensive, used by the purist or those sensitive to other sources of vitamin C.

However, unless you can't tolerate ascorbic acid, it is a fine and relatively inexpensive option and the one I'd recommend.

Good health,
A.N. Spreen, M.D.