Super C. (wellness).(Ester-C)(Brief Article)

Entire books have been devoted to the benefits associated with vitamin C. It helps build better bones, boosts the immune system and contributes to a healthy heart. It also helps heal wounds, strengthens blood vessels and aids eyesight. And there are those who believe it may even prevent cancer.

Yet, just when it seems you couldn't ask for a more naturally beneficial nutrient, some researchers now claim that, yes, as a matter of fact, you can. Its name is Ester-C

Arizona physician Edwin Goertz, MD, discovered Ester-C 20 years ago while seeking help for his arthritic wife. Goertz's spouse couldn't tolerate traditional forms of vitamin C because it upset her stomach, so Goertz, an inventor of sorts, mixed water, ascorbic acid and calcium ascorbate to come up with a non-acidic alternative he dubbed Ester-C.

Today, even doctors who question the true superiority of Ester-C over plain old vitamin C agree it's ideal for patients who are sensitive to the traditional form. Chris Meletis, ND, dean and medical officer of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, says he has prescribed Ester-C for 10 years without complaint.

"I use it when patients need full vitamin C coverage as an antioxidant or for immune system support, yet cannot tolerate the normal quantity of pills that plain old vitamin C would require. I'm working on the premise that Ester-C has increased viability or potency--a little bit goes a little further."

But advocates say Ester-C isn't only for those sensitive to vitamin C.

Phil Brown, DVM, is the Ester-C product manager for Inter-Cal Nutraceuticals, which holds the patent for the formula. He describes Ester-C as "the Pentium processor" of the vitamin world.