USANA Poly C® Delivers More Vitamin C to the Bloodstream Than Pure Ascorbic Acid

Poly C® is USANA’s proprietary vitamin C blend. It’s a unique combination of calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc mineral ascorbates (mineral salts). This mixture has been shown to increase and maintain higher levels of vitamin C in the blood than equal amounts of ascorbic acid alone.

In the clinical research conducted by Alexander Rabovsky,Phd And John Cuomo,Phd, they have undertaken to compare the pharmacokinetics of  Poly C and ascorbic acid, and to substantiate claims  of improved bio-availability. 

This study was a prospective, double-blind pharmacokinetic study involving 19 healthy volunteers. Subjects were randomly assigned to two treatment groups –Poly C (nine individuals), and ascorbic acid (ten individuals).

Results showed that Poly C, USANA’s proprietary blend of four mineral ascorbates, delivered more vitamin C to the bloodstream than did an equivalent dose of pure ascorbic acid (Figure 1). Plasma vitamin C concentrations were consistently higher in the Poly C group than in the ascorbic acid group across the 10-hour study period. Differences were most pronounced be-tween two and four hours following supplementation. During this time, vitamin C levels in the Poly C group averaged 10–15% higher than in the ascorbic acid group. Similarly, increases in plasma vitamin C per kilogram of body weight were 8% higher in the Poly C group than in the ascorbic acid group (results not shown). This difference was statistically significant (p<0.01) and, as before, was largest between two and four hours after treatment. When per-cent increases in plasma ascorbic acid were not normalized for body weight, differences between groups were not statistically significant.

 Figure 1

It was concluded in the study that, from the standpoint of bio-availability, Poly C is superior to pure ascorbic acid as a supplemental source of vitamin C.

To learn more, read Pharmacokinetics of Poly C versus Ascorbic Acid.

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that must be provided by the diet, because your body can’t make it naturally. As a source of vitamin C, Poly C offers a number of important benefits:

• Antioxidant activity neutralizes damage caused by free radicals to maintain cellular health
• Helps your body use iron
• Supports collagen synthesis (a major structural protein in the body) to help maintain healthy skin, gums, cartilage, blood vessels, muscle, and bones
• Supports immune function
• Supports eye health

Your body can absorb approximately 500 mg of vitamin C at one time. And, levels of vitamin C in your blood begin to decline after about five hours (as you can see in the chart above). So, spread your Poly C across two or more supplement doses during the day to optimize absorption and maintain protective levels.*


USANA Poly C®, features the proprietary vitamin C blend plus citrus bioflavonoids, rutin, and quercetin. Together, these antioxidants provide powerful defense against oxidative damage to support overall health and wellness. Poly C is also included in a number of USANA supplement formulas, including the CellSentials™, Proflavanol®