NOW Foods Buffered C-1000 Complex: Stomach-Friendly Immune & Antioxidant Support
If standard vitamin C supplements give you heartburn, stomach cramps, or acid reflux, you are not alone. Regular ascorbic acid is naturally sharp and acidic. NOW Buffered C-1000 Complex (180 Tablets) solves this problem by combining pure vitamin C with gentle calcium to create calcium ascorbate—a non-acidic, buffered form that is easy on delicate stomachs while providing maximum daily antioxidant and immune defense.
Quick Product Takeaways
✓Gentle on Sensitive Stomachs: Buffered with calcium to neutralize natural acidity, preventing digestive burn and reflux.
✓High-Potency Daily Dose: Each 1-tablet serving delivers 1,000 mg of bioavailable Vitamin C (1,111% DV) plus 100 mg of elemental calcium.
✓Enhanced Botanical Synergy: Formulated with 250 mg of Citrus Bioflavonoids, 50 mg of Acerola fruit, and 50 mg of Rutin to assist absorption and cellular protection.
✓Uncompromising Purity: Rigorously screened for heavy metals, microbes, and pesticides in ISO-accredited analytical laboratories.
Why "Buffered" Matters: Calcium Ascorbate vs. Regular Ascorbic Acid
Most common vitamin C supplements contain unbuffered ascorbic acid. In water or gastric fluid, pure ascorbic acid has a low, acidic pH between 2.3 and 2.8—comparable to vinegar or lemon juice. When you take a high-potency 1,000 mg dose on an empty or sensitive stomach, that sudden acidity can irritate your stomach lining, leading to nausea, indigestion, and loose stools.
What does "buffering" actually mean? In simple terms, buffering balances the acid. NOW Foods reacts ascorbic acid with calcium carbonate, creating a gentle mineral salt called calcium ascorbate.
Feature
Standard Ascorbic Acid
NOW Buffered Calcium Ascorbate
Acidity Level (pH)
Highly acidic (~pH 2.3 - 2.8)
Nearly neutral (~pH 6.8 - 7.4)
Stomach Comfort
Can trigger heartburn, cramping, or acid reflux
Gentle, non-acidic, soothing digestion
Bonus Mineral Content
Zero minerals supplied
Provides 100 mg elemental calcium per tablet
Clinical Bioavailability
Rapidly absorbed, quickly excreted
Equally high blood absorption with fewer side effects
In peer-reviewed human clinical research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association and Advances in Therapy, researchers found that calcium ascorbate delivered equivalent bioavailability and plasma vitamin C levels compared to ascorbic acid, while producing significantly fewer epigastric complaints in sensitive adults.
The Power of Synergistic Co-Factors: Bioflavonoids, Acerola & Rutin
In whole fresh fruit, vitamin C does not exist as an isolated chemical. It is naturally surrounded by specialized plant compounds called bioflavonoids that protect the vitamin from oxidation and help your blood vessels stay strong and flexible. NOW Buffered C-1000 Complex recreates this natural partnership by combining 1,000 mg of buffered vitamin C with three targeted botanical co-factors:
1. Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex (250 mg)
Extracted from whole citrus rinds, these flavonoids (including hesperidin and naringin) work hand-in-hand with vitamin C. Scientific studies indicate that bioflavonoids act as secondary antioxidants, prolonging the activity of vitamin C inside cells and supporting normal capillary tone.
2. Acerola Powder (50 mg — Malpighia punicifolia)
Acerola cherries are among the most nutrient-dense natural sources of vitamin C on Earth. Adding authentic acerola fruit powder provides whole-plant phytonutrients, trace minerals, and enzymes that support overall vitality and cellular uptake.
3. Rutin Powder (50 mg — Sophora japonica)
Rutin is a powerful plant flavonoid extracted from Japanese pagoda flower buds. It is clinically celebrated for its ability to protect microscopic blood vessels from oxidative stress, helping promote healthy microcirculation throughout tissues.
NOW Foods Lab Testing & Contaminant Constraints: Verified Purity
When taking high-dose dietary supplements daily, purity is essential. Because dietary supplements do not require pre-market approval by the FDA, true quality depends on brand integrity and verified testing standards.
NOW Foods operates one of the most advanced, privately owned testing programs in the nutritional industry. Their certified in-house laboratories perform more than 68 distinct categories of analytical tests every single day to guarantee safety, potency, and purity:
Parts-Per-Billion Heavy Metal Screening (ICP-MS):
Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)—the gold standard in analytical chemistry—NOW screens raw materials and finished tablets for toxic heavy metals: lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Their internal safety limits strictly adhere to or exceed the stringent safety thresholds of California Proposition 65 and U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines.
Microbiological Safety Screening:
Every production run undergoes strict screening for harmful biological organisms, verifying zero presence of Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, while strictly monitoring total aerobic plate counts, yeast, and mold.
High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) compares the chemical fingerprint of every botanical ingredient (such as Acerola and Rutin) against pure reference standards. This guarantees that you receive genuine plant extracts free of synthetic substitutes or cheaper fillers.
Tandem mass spectrometry instruments screen plant ingredients down to trace levels for hundreds of agricultural pesticides, herbicides (including glyphosate), and chemical solvents to guarantee clean nutrition.
Practical Guidance, Safety Precautions & Medical Considerations
Vitamin C is a water-soluble micronutrient. Because human bodies cannot synthesize or store vitamin C for extended periods, regular daily intake is required to support normal white blood cell activity, collagen synthesis for joint and skin health, and systemic free-radical defense.
How to Take for Best Results
Take 1 tablet daily, preferably with a meal and an 8-ounce glass of water. Because vitamin C is water-soluble, taking it alongside a meal further promotes balanced, gradual absorption throughout the day. Store the bottle tightly capped in a cool, dry place after opening.
Who Should Exercise Caution or Avoid High-Dose Vitamin C?
History of Kidney Stones (Hyperoxaluria): In the body, a fraction of excess vitamin C is naturally converted into oxalate. Individuals with a personal history of calcium oxalate kidney stones should consult their urologist or nephrologist before taking 1,000 mg daily doses.
Iron Overload Disorders (Hemochromatosis): Vitamin C significantly enhances non-heme iron absorption in the gut. Individuals with hemochromatosis or thalassemia should consult their doctor before using concentrated vitamin C.
Hypercalcemia: Because each tablet supplies 100 mg of elemental calcium from the buffering agent, individuals on calcium-restricted diets or with elevated serum calcium levels should track their total daily calcium intake.
Medication Interactions: Concentrated vitamin C may interact with blood thinners (such as warfarin) or certain statin therapies. Always speak with your prescribing physician or pharmacist before beginning any new nutritional supplement.
Allergen Free From: Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP-certified facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Why Buy From VitaNet, LLC? Family-Owned Trust Since 1995
When buying nutritional supplements online, who you purchase from matters just as much as what brand you select. VitaNet, LLC is an independent, family-owned discount vitamin and supplement store serving customers online since 1995[cite: 1].
✓Over 31 Years of Industry Experience: Based in Hartville, Ohio, our knowledgeable staff brings over 31 years of hands-on nutritional experience to help you make informed supplement choices[cite: 1].
✓Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: We offer a 100% money-back refund on all products—and we even pay the return shipping back to us, whether the bottle is opened or unopened[cite: 1].
✓Better Business Bureau (BBB) A+ Accredited: Shop with complete confidence knowing you are buying directly from an accredited, verified American family business[cite: 1].
✓Real People Answering the Phone: Have a question about your order? Reach our customer care team toll-free at 1-800-877-8702 or locally at (330) 877-8786[cite: 1].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between regular vitamin C and buffered vitamin C?
Regular vitamin C is pure ascorbic acid, which has an acidic pH of about 2.5 and can irritate sensitive stomachs. Buffered vitamin C is made by binding ascorbic acid with calcium carbonate, creating calcium ascorbate. This raises the pH to a near-neutral ~7.0, allowing you to absorb 1,000 mg of vitamin C without experiencing heartburn, burning, or acid indigestion.
Why are citrus bioflavonoids, rutin, and acerola included in this formula?
In nature, vitamin C works alongside plant bioflavonoids. The Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex (250 mg), Acerola fruit powder (50 mg), and Rutin (50 mg) provide synergistic antioxidant support, protect microscopic blood vessels, and help preserve active vitamin C levels within cells.
How does NOW Foods test for heavy metals and purity?
NOW Foods operates certified in-house ISO/IEC 17025 testing laboratories. They screen raw materials and finished tablets using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to detect trace heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury) at parts-per-billion levels. They also utilize chromatography to verify botanical authenticity and test for microbial pathogens and pesticide residues.
Can I take this supplement every day?
Yes. The recommended daily serving is 1 tablet taken with food and water. At 1,000 mg of Vitamin C and 100 mg of elemental Calcium per tablet, it is designed for consistent daily immune, connective tissue, and antioxidant maintenance. If you have a medical condition such as kidney stones or hemochromatosis, consult your doctor before daily use.
Is NOW Buffered C-1000 Complex vegan and allergen-free?
Yes. This product is 100% vegetarian and vegan, non-GMO, and formulated without wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, or sesame. It is produced in a facility adhering to strict Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
What is VitaNet's return policy if I am not satisfied?
VitaNet, LLC offers a risk-free 100% money-back guarantee[cite: 1]. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, VitaNet will refund 100% of your purchase price and will even pay the shipping cost back on all returns, whether the bottle is opened or unopened[cite: 1].
Helpful Customer Reviews
Review of C-1000 COMP 180 TABS - NOW Product N0702 Reviewed by Adam
Thursday, February 10, 2011 Rating: 3/5
C-1000 COMP 180 TABS are great if you have a sensitive stomach. The stomach is an important part of your digestive system and these tablets can help keep everything in order. I find it difficult to swallow tablets and usually have to prepare my mind before swallowing. With these tablets though there were not issues. For those of you who have problems remember to keep your mind clear and swallow hard before taking water. After taking the tablets the acid in my stomach felt like is resided back down. I would recommend these tablets for people who enjoy not having acid in their stomach.
