Super Bio C - Buffered: 24-Hour Stomach-Friendly Vitamin C (1,000 mg)
Standard vitamin C supplements are notorious for triggering stomach burn, acid reflux, and digestive upset. Solaray Super Bio C - Buffered solves this challenge with a gentle, non-acidic mineral buffer combined with advanced Two-Stage Timed-Release Technology for steady, all-day cellular defense.
Medical Overview: Plain ascorbic acid has an acidic pH of roughly 2.5—similar to lemon juice. Super Bio C - Buffered blends ascorbic acid with natural calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide to neutralize excess acidity, making high-dose immune nutrition easy on sensitive digestive tracts.
Why Choose Super Bio C - Buffered? Key Highlights at a Glance
✓ Gentle on Sensitive Stomachs
Naturally buffered with calcium and magnesium to eliminate heartburn and acid sensitivity.
✓ Two-Stage 24-Hour Release
50% releases immediately for fast protection; 50% releases over 12 hours for continuous availability.
✓ 730 mg Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex
Enriched with lemon bioflavonoids, rutin, hesperidin, and citrus pectin to maximize antioxidant uptake.
✓ 100% Vegan & Lab Verified
Rigourously tested in Utah laboratories for heavy metals, microbial contaminants, and verified potency.
The Problem with Standard Vitamin C (and How Buffering Fixes It)
Most low-cost vitamin C supplements are made of 100% pure ascorbic acid. When you swallow a large 1,000 mg dose of pure acid on an empty stomach or with a light meal, it sharply drops gastric pH. For people with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), gastritis, or simple digestive sensitivity, this often results in cramping, nausea, burning, or loose bowels.
How buffering works in plain English: Think of a buffering agent as a natural acid shock absorber. Super Bio C - Buffered incorporates alkaline minerals—specifically Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Oxide. These minerals interact with ascorbic acid to soften the acidic punch without changing the vitamin's potency or cellular benefits. Clinical evaluations confirm that buffered vitamin C preparations significantly reduce gastric distress compared to plain unbuffered ascorbic acid while maintaining identical biological activity.
Clinical Reference: Research in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association demonstrated that mineral-buffered ascorbate options deliver equivalent circulating ascorbate levels with markedly fewer reports of gastrointestinal discomfort (Johnston & Luo, 1994).
Did you know your body cannot store vitamin C? Because vitamin C is water-soluble, your intestines can only absorb a certain amount at one time before the kidneys flush out the rest through your urine.
Landmark pharmacokinetic research by the National Institutes of Health (Levine et al., 1996) revealed that single oral doses of plain vitamin C above 200 mg to 500 mg lead to sharp urinary excretion because intestinal transport channels become saturated. Solaray's proprietary Two-Stage Timed-Release delivery system solves this:
Stage 1: Immediate Rapid Release (50%)
Half of the 1,000 mg dose releases right away, quickly restoring blood vitamin C levels and giving your immune cells the immediate antioxidant reserves they need.
Stage 2: Sustained 12-Hour Release (50%)
The remaining 500 mg is embedded within a vegetable cellulose matrix that dissolves gradually over up to 12 hours. This drip-feeds vitamin C into your bloodstream, maintaining steady tissue saturation throughout the day without overloading your kidneys.
By taking one VegCap with breakfast and one 12 hours later with dinner, you unlock consistent 24-hour antioxidant coverage.
The Bioflavonoid Advantage: Nature's Vitamin C Multipliers
In nature, vitamin C never appears by itself. When you pick a fresh orange or lemon, the ascorbic acid is tightly bound inside a protective web of citrus bioflavonoids, rutin, and pectin. These natural plant polyphenols work hand-in-hand with vitamin C, protecting it from oxidation and helping your body absorb and hold onto it longer.
Clinical human trials have confirmed that taking vitamin C alongside concentrated citrus extract increases biological availability by up to 35% compared to isolated synthetic ascorbic acid alone (Vinson & Bose, 1988). Each serving of Solaray Super Bio C - Buffered includes:
Lemon Bioflavonoids (500 mg)
Supports capillary strength, healthy circulation, and shields vitamin C from premature breakdown.
Rutin Concentrate (100 mg)
A powerful flavonoid that reinforces blood vessel walls and micro-vascular flexibility.
Hesperidin Concentrate (100 mg)
Known for supporting healthy blood flow and healthy inflammatory response in blood vessels.
Citrus Pectin (30 mg) & Superfruits
Soluble citrus fiber plus Rose Hips and Acerola Cherry provide naturally occurring vitamin cofactors.
Science-Backed Health Benefits in Everyday Terms
1. Robust Immune Defense & Pathogen Fighting
Your white blood cells (specifically neutrophils and phagocytes) rely heavily on vitamin C to hunt, engulf, and neutralize harmful pathogens. When your body is fighting off environmental stressors, intracellular vitamin C stores deplete rapidly. A peer-reviewed review in Nutrients confirmed that adequate daily vitamin C intake supports skin epithelial barrier integrity, enhances white blood cell movement (chemotaxis), and protects host tissues from collateral oxidative stress (Carr & Maggini, 2017).
2. Collagen Production for Youthful Skin, Joints & Bones
Collagen is the primary structural glue in your skin, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Your body cannot physically produce collagen without vitamin C; it acts as an essential cofactor for prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase enzymes that stabilize the collagen triple helix. As summarized by Pullar, Carr, and Vissers (2017), maintaining optimal vitamin C levels promotes dermal elasticity, combats ultraviolet light-induced free radical damage, and assists in natural tissue repair.
3. Cardiovascular, Capillary & Vein Integrity
Microscopic blood vessels (capillaries) require strong collagen lining and antioxidant defense to prevent bruising and leakage. The combination of hesperidin, rutin, and bioflavonoids in Super Bio C helps maintain healthy endothelial nitric oxide levels and promotes vascular relaxation, helping you maintain healthy circulation throughout your extremities (Perez-Vizcaino & Duarte, 2010).
4. Enhanced Dietary Iron Absorption
Non-heme iron (the form found in leafy vegetables, beans, and grains) is notoriously difficult for the human body to absorb. Taking vitamin C transforms dietary iron into a soluble chelate form in the duodenum, dramatically boosting iron uptake and supporting healthy hemoglobin production for energy and vitality.
Complete Supplement Facts & Ingredients
Authentic label values for Solaray Super Bio C - Buffered (VitaNet Item #4462 / #4460)
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 2 VegCaps
Servings Per Container: 50 (100ct) or 125 (250ct)
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid, Rose Hips, Acerola Cherry)
1,000 mg (1,111%)
Bioflavonoid Concentrate (from Lemon)
500 mg *
Rutin Concentrate
100 mg *
Hesperidin Concentrate
100 mg *
Citrus Pectin
30 mg *
* Daily Value (DV) not established.
Buffering Base: Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Oxide.
Other Ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose Capsule, Magnesium Stearate, Cellulose, Silica, and Stearic Acid.
Quality Verification: Non-GMO, 100% Vegan, lab-tested for identity, purity, and micro-contaminants in an ISO-accredited facility in Ogden, Utah.
Usage Guidelines, Safety, and Medical Precautions
Suggested Use: Take two (2) VegCaps daily with an 8-ounce glass of water or with a meal. For continuous 24-hour plasma saturation, take one capsule with breakfast and one capsule with dinner.
Consult Your Healthcare Practitioner: Always notify your doctor or pharmacist when starting any supplement, especially if pregnant, nursing, taking blood-thinning medications, or receiving chemotherapy.
Kidney Stone Warning: Individuals with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones or renal impairment should consult their physician before supplementing with doses of 1,000 mg or higher, as excess ascorbate can convert to oxalate in the body.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing. Keep out of reach of children.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What does "buffered" vitamin C mean, and why is it better for my stomach?
"Buffered" means that acidic ascorbic acid has been paired with natural alkaline minerals—in this case, Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Oxide. This combination cushions the natural acidity, keeping the pH in your digestive system balanced. If standard vitamin C gives you heartburn, nausea, or reflux, buffered vitamin C provides all the immune and antioxidant benefits with none of the burn.
Q2: How does the two-stage time-release formula work over 24 hours?
Solaray designs the capsule so that 50% of the contents dissolves immediately to elevate blood ascorbate levels quickly. The second 50% is embedded in a plant cellulose matrix that dissolves gradually over up to 12 hours. By taking one capsule every 12 hours (morning and evening), your cells receive unbroken 24-hour antioxidant defense without high spikes being lost in urine.
Q3: Why are bioflavonoids, rutin, and hesperidin included in this formula?
Bioflavonoids, rutin, and hesperidin are natural plant pigments found alongside vitamin C in citrus fruits. They serve two vital purposes: they enhance the absorption and cellular retention of vitamin C by up to 35%, and they provide their own clinical benefits by strengthening fragile capillaries, supporting blood flow, and combating free radicals.
Q4: Can I take Super Bio C - Buffered if I have acid reflux (GERD)?
Yes. Most people who experience acid reflux from regular ascorbic acid tolerate buffered vitamin C without issue. The inclusion of calcium and magnesium acts similarly to gentle antacids, preventing sharp drops in stomach pH. If you have severe acid sensitivity, taking your dose with a full meal and a large glass of water is always recommended.
Q5: Is 1,000 mg of Vitamin C safe to take every single day?
Yes. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies establishes the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for vitamin C in adults at 2,000 mg per day. At 1,000 mg daily, Solaray Super Bio C falls well within established safety parameters for healthy adults.
Q6: Are the capsules vegan and gluten-free?
Yes. The capsules are 100% vegetarian/vegan (made from plant-based cellulose), free of synthetic fillers, and verified gluten-free.
Peer-Reviewed Scientific References
Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017;9(11):1211. doi:10.3390/nu9111211.
Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866.
Levine M, Conry-Cantilena C, Wang Y, et al. Vitamin C pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers: evidence for a recommended dietary allowance. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1996;93(8):3704-3709. doi:10.1073/pnas.93.8.3704.
Vinson JA, Bose P. Comparative bioavailability to humans of ascorbic acid alone or in a citrus extract. Am J Clin Nutr. 1988;48(3):601-604. doi:10.1093/ajcn/48.3.601.
Johnston CS, Luo B. Comparison of the absorption and excretion of three forms of vitamin C. J Am Diet Assoc. 1994;94(7):779-781. doi:10.1016/0002-8223(94)92372-x.
Perez-Vizcaino F, Duarte J. Flavonols and cardiovascular health. Mol Aspects Med. 2010;31(6):478-494. doi:10.1016/j.mam.2010.09.002.
