NOW Foods C-1000 Sustained Release with Rose Hips (Product #N0680)
All-Day Antioxidant and Immune Support Delivered in a Gentle, Gradual-Release Matrix
If you take a standard 1,000 mg vitamin C tablet, your body rushes to process it all at once, flushing out what it cannot immediately absorb within two to three hours. NOW® C-1000 Sustained Release with Rose Hips solves this problem. It is engineered with a specialized slow-dissolve matrix that metes out pure vitamin C evenly throughout your day. Combined with natural rose hips, this formula provides long-lasting immune defense, promotes firm skin and joint collagen, and protects your cells against oxidative stress—all while staying remarkably gentle on sensitive stomachs.
Formula Highlights at a Glance
✓Steady 24-Hour Absorption: Sustained-release tablet prevents the rapid kidney excretion common with regular ascorbic acid.
✓Stomach-Friendly Delivery: Avoids the sudden, concentrated acid spike that often triggers heartburn or loose stools.
✓Natural Rose Hips Included: Supplies natural botanical bioflavonoids to support vitamin stability and antioxidant activity.
✓Verified Purity & Potency: Rigorously screened for heavy metals and pesticides in ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories.
✓Pure & Clean: Non-GMO, Vegan/Vegetarian certified, Kosher, Halal, and free of gluten, soy, dairy, and nuts.
The Science of Sustained Release: Why Your Body Needs Slow-Release Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins (such as A, D, and E), your body cannot build long-term reserve pools in fat tissue. Whatever your tissues do not absorb quickly enters the bloodstream and is removed by the kidneys.
Clinical pharmacokinetic research published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements and the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University reveals a biological bottleneck: your gut relies on specialized transport gates (known scientifically as sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 1, or SVCT-1) to bring ascorbic acid into your blood. When you ingest a single standard dose exceeding 1,000 mg all at once, these intestinal transport gates become completely overwhelmed. Consequently, gastrointestinal absorption plunges below 50%, and blood levels spike and drop within two to four hours.
The Sustained-Release Advantage: NOW Foods C-1000 utilizes an advanced, food-grade plant cellulose tablet core that gradually dissolves over several hours. By steadily metering small amounts of ascorbic acid into your intestinal tract, the SVCT-1 transport gates never become saturated. This provides two significant, practical advantages:
Comparison Point
Standard 1,000 mg Vitamin C Tablets
NOW C-1000 Sustained Release w/ Rose Hips
Absorption Window
Quick flood: creates an immediate peak followed by rapid excretion in urine within 2 to 3 hours.
Unabsorbed acid draws water into the colon, frequently causing stomach burning, cramps, or diarrhea.
Gentle on the stomach: slow liberation prevents concentrated acid exposure in the gut.
Cellular Utilization
Over 50% can be lost through the kidneys before white blood cells and tissues can utilize it.
High efficiency: matches your body's natural intake pace, minimizing waste.
Botanical Support
Often uses synthetic ascorbic acid alone without supportive co-factors.
Includes 25 mg of whole rose hips fruit powder to provide natural plant bioflavonoids.
Key Health Benefits: How Timed-Release Vitamin C Works for You
Vitamin C is one of the most widely researched micronutrients in human physiology. Because NOW C-1000 maintains continuous presence in your circulation, it provides consistent nutritional support across several critical systems:
1. Continuous Immune Cell Fuel
Your immune system's primary front-line defenders—neutrophils and lymphocytes—actively accumulate vitamin C at concentrations up to 100 times higher than blood plasma levels. They use it to generate reactive oxygen species to neutralize foreign microbes, while protecting themselves from self-inflicted oxidative damage. When an infection or physical stress begins, cellular vitamin C stores drop quickly. Sustained release guarantees your immune sentinels have access to fresh ascorbic acid around the clock.
2. Daily Collagen Synthesis for Skin, Bones & Joints
Collagen is the primary structural protein that gives youthful firmness to your skin, tensile strength to your blood vessels, and resilient cushioning to your joint cartilage. Your body cannot manufacture collagen without vitamin C. Ascorbic acid acts as an essential enzymatic cofactor for prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase, the enzymes responsible for cross-linking amino acids into stable collagen triple-helix structures. Without steady vitamin C, skin loses elasticity and connective tissues heal more slowly.
3. Botanical Synergy with Whole Rose Hips (Rosa canina)
In nature, vitamin C does not grow in isolation; it occurs within whole fruits surrounded by polyphenols and bioflavonoids. NOW includes 25 mg of genuine rose hips powder (the fruit of the wild briar rose, Rosa canina). Rose hips are naturally packed with bioflavonoids and carotenoids that shield ascorbic acid from premature oxidation in the gut, mimicking how nutrition is delivered in whole plant foods.
4. Enhanced Dietary Iron Bioavailability
Non-heme iron (the plant-based iron found in spinach, beans, grains, and nuts) is notoriously difficult for the human digestive tract to absorb. Ingesting sustained-release vitamin C alongside meals chemically reduces ferric iron (Fe3+) into ferrous iron (Fe2+), the highly bioavailable, soluble form that your intestinal cells readily accept. This provides crucial nutritional support for plant-based eaters, athletes, and women looking to maintain optimal energy levels.
Unrivaled Purity: NOW Foods Lab Testing & Contaminant Standards
When you take a daily dietary supplement, purity is just as critical as potency. Generic marketplace sellers often source bargain ingredients with unknown safety controls. In sharp contrast, NOW Foods operates one of the most advanced private analytical testing programs in the nutritional industry.
World-Class ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Laboratories
NOW employs over 45 full-time scientists, analytical chemists, and microbiologists across state-of-the-art testing facilities in Bloomingdale, Illinois, and Sparks, Nevada. Every month, NOW performs over 31,000 individual quality tests on incoming raw ingredients, intermediate blends, and finished batches to ensure full compliance with FDA Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
Strict Contaminant Screening Protocols:
Heavy Metal Screening (ICP-MS): Utilizing cutting-edge Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry, NOW conducts more than 11,000 tests annually to screen for toxic heavy metals—including Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), and Mercury (Hg)—detecting contaminants down to the parts-per-billion (ppb) level. NOW adheres to the rigorous safety constraints of California Proposition 65, which are significantly stricter than standard federal guidelines.
Pesticide Residue Analysis (LC-MS/MS & IC-MS/MS): Raw botanical ingredients such as rose hips undergo extensive testing with Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry to screen for over 500 pesticide residues. Ion Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (IC-MS/MS) is utilized to test specifically for glyphosate (Roundup) and agricultural chemical drift at parts-per-billion thresholds.
Botanical Identity & Potency Verification (HPLC & HPTLC): High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) compares the botanical fingerprint of Rosa canina against verified reference standards to prevent botanical adulteration or species substitution. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) verifies that each tablet contains 1,000 mg of active ascorbic acid through its entire shelf life.
Comprehensive Microbial Testing: Finished tablets are rigorously screened in clean rooms to ensure total absence of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, harmful molds, and wild yeast strains.
NOW Foods provides complete label transparency with zero proprietary blends, hidden fillers, or undisclosed binders.
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Sustained Release Tablet
Servings Per Container: 100 or 250 Tablets
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid) 1 g (1,000 mg)
1,111%
Rose Hips Powder (Rosa canina) (Fruit) 25 mg
†
† Daily Value (DV) not established.
Other Inactive Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetarian Tablet Coating [hypromellose, stearic acid (vegetable source), sunflower lecithin, triethyl citrate], and Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source).
Allergen Free & Clean Manufacturing Statement:
Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Safety Guidelines, Real Constraints & Practical Usage
Responsible health decisions require knowing when a supplement is appropriate and when caution is warranted. While vitamin C has an exceptional safety profile, high-potency formulations require thoughtful consideration:
Who Benefits Most from 1,000 mg Sustained Release?
Individuals seeking consistent, daily immune defense during seasonal shifts or heavy travel.
People with sensitive digestive systems who experience heartburn, stomach acidity, or loose stools from standard ascorbic acid pills.
Athletes and endurance exercisers experiencing high levels of physical oxidative stress and joint wear.
Smokers and those exposed to environmental pollutants (smoking depletes circulating vitamin C by approximately 30% to 40%).
Important Contraindications & Edge Cases (Health Precautions)
Kidney Stone History: Ascorbic acid is partially metabolized in the body into oxalate. Individuals with a personal history of calcium oxalate kidney stones or renal impairment should consult their nephrologist or physician before taking daily vitamin C exceeding 500 mg to 1,000 mg.
Iron-Overload Disorders (Hemochromatosis): Because vitamin C substantially increases dietary iron absorption, individuals diagnosed with hemochromatosis or thalassemia should consult their physician before supplementing.
G6PD Deficiency: Individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency should avoid high-dose vitamin C due to potential risks of red blood cell hemolysis.
Prescription Interactions: If you are taking anticoagulant medications (such as warfarin) or receiving chemotherapy, consult your healthcare provider before use.
Practical Administration Guidance
Recommended Adult Usage: Take 1 tablet daily, preferably in the morning with a meal and an 8-ounce glass of water. Important: Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, or split the tablet, as breaking the tablet breaks down the cellulose sustained-release matrix and converts it back into an immediate-release dose.
Why Buy NOW C-1000 from VitaNet®, LLC?
Where you buy your supplements matters just as much as what brand you select. When purchasing through online open marketplaces, consumers regularly face expired stock, heat-damaged inventory, and unauthorized third-party resellers. VitaNet®, LLC eliminates these risks entirely[cite: 1].
✓Over 31 Years of Hands-On Experience: Founded in 1995 as a family-owned, independent retail business in Hartville, Ohio, VitaNet® has delivered scientifically backed vitamins online for over three decades[cite: 1].
✓Direct Brand-Authorized Supply: Every bottle of NOW Foods C-1000 comes directly from climate-regulated manufacturer distribution centers to guarantee freshness and potency.
✓Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: VitaNet® stands behind every product with a risk-free 100% money-back guarantee—we even pay return shipping on opened bottles if you are not fully satisfied[cite: 1].
✓Better Business Bureau A+ Accredited: Dedicated telephone customer support, straightforward service, and deep commitment to consumer health[cite: 1].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does "sustained release" mean for vitamin C?
"Sustained release" (also called timed release or slow release) means the tablet is formulated with a natural plant-fiber matrix that dissolves gradually over several hours rather than disintegrating all at once. This delivers a steady trickle of ascorbic acid into your digestive system, preventing your body's absorption transporters from overloading and reducing the rapid flushing out of excess vitamin C in your urine.
Why are rose hips added to NOW C-1000?
Rose hips are the round seed pods of wild rose plants (Rosa canina). They are naturally rich in plant bioflavonoids and antioxidant compounds. Adding 25 mg of rose hips powder creates botanical synergy: it shields ascorbic acid against premature breakdown, supports antioxidant activity, and mimics the natural matrix found in whole fruits.
Is 1,000 mg of vitamin C safe to take every day?
Yes, for healthy adults. While the baseline Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 75 mg to 90 mg daily, the official Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) established by the Food and Nutrition Board is 2,000 mg per day. A daily dose of 1,000 mg stays well within safe upper boundaries. Because NOW C-1000 releases gradually, it avoids the common digestive side effects (like stomach cramping or loose stools) that can occur with immediate-release tablets.
Can I cut or crush the NOW C-1000 tablet if it is hard to swallow?
No. The sustained-release mechanism depends entirely on the intact structure of the tablet. If you crush, chew, or break the tablet, you destroy the slow-release matrix, causing the entire 1,000 mg dose to release immediately in your stomach. If you have difficulty swallowing larger tablets, consider taking it with a spoonful of applesauce or yogurt, or speak with your doctor about liquid or powder alternatives.
What testing does NOW Foods perform to verify product purity?
NOW Foods tests every batch in ISO/IEC 17025 accredited in-house laboratories, conducting over 31,000 quality tests monthly. They utilize Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to screen for toxic heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic) down to parts-per-billion levels under strict California Proposition 65 standards. They also use LC-MS/MS and IC-MS/MS to screen for over 500 pesticide residues and glyphosate, and HPLC to verify exact 1,000 mg potency.
When is the best time of day to take NOW C-1000 Sustained Release?
We recommend taking your tablet in the morning with breakfast and plenty of water. Taking it early allows the sustained-release matrix to provide continuous antioxidant, immune, and cellular support throughout your active daytime hours, while taking it with food further supports comfortable digestion.
