Dave,

There is only ONE "Vitamin C" produced in nature, by vitually all plants and animals, and that is ascorbic acid (chemically C6H8O6). Other substances typically associated with it in plants, like bioflavinoids, are often considered by some to be an actual part of "Vitamin C." We could debate that forever, because it is all just opinion/viewpoint, i.e. the term vitamin C is just a manmade label. MY viewpoint is this: 99+% of all species of animals produce ascorbic acid in their livers or kidneys [from glucose, i.e. sugar]. Ascorbic acid is the substance that we humans, through a genetic liver disorder, no longer can produce for ourselves, and this is what we must ingest to avoid scurvy and the MANY disorders and ailments caused by sub-clinical scurvy, e.g. cardiovascular disease/stroke, virul and bacterial infections, etc., etc., etc.

It is basically irrelevant what ascorbic acid is made from Dave (it is usually made from corn syrup), because all you have left is the molecule C6H8O6. As an example, much of the water that is drank by astronauts in space is produced from their own urine. The H2O is extracted, and the rest of the molecules are discarded. H2O is H2O, regardless of its source. Now, if you are asking if there might be other molecules left behind in the manufacturing process, that just might be possible. Undoubtedly, if you get down to parts per million, it is true. But should you care? You cannot avoid eating and breathing in toxins everyday of your life. That is why your liver is the largest of your internal organs. The ascorbate itself acts as a detoxifier, so do not worry about trivial amounts of contaminants left over/behind in the process. If you want to really be a purist, buy only ascorbic acid that has the USP (Unites States Pharacopeia) seal of approval on it, but for all intents and purposes, any ascorbic acid sold will do.

Mineral ascorbates, e.g. sodium, magnesium, calcium, etc., are made by combining ascorbic acid with these mineral salts, e.g. sodium ascorbate can be made from 2.35 parts of ascorbic acid to 1 part of sodium bicarbonate. However, according to the doctor with more clinical experience than any other on earth (more than 20,000 patients treated with megascorbic therapies), Dr. Robert Cathcart, M.D., ascorbic acid is the most potent form of ascorbate you can take [orally] http://www.vitamincfoundation.org/esterc.htm

As "grist for your mill" Dave, I myself have taken a "bowel tolerance" dose (in HEALTH, not illness) http://www.orthomed.com/titrate.htm of ascorbic acid (in tablet form) every day since 1994, amounting to, on average, 30,000 to 60,000 milligrams (approximately 1 to 2 ounces) in 5 to 10 divided doses (and will continue to do so for the rest of my life). This is MY "bowel tolerance" dosage. Your "bowel tolerance" dosage may be more, or less, than mine, and will undoubtedly vary depending on your current overall health and diet. Each person must find their own "bowel tolerance" dose each day (although ingesting ANY ascorbate is MUCH better than none). Virtually any mammal you can name (standardized to 154 pounds/70 kilos) produces a minimum of from 2,000 to 19,000 milligrams of ascorbic acid EVERY day of its life, and under "stress" one was recorded to have produced 100,000 milligrams in 24 hours. Need we wonder why their health always seems to be so much better than ours?

I hope this helps Dave.

Regards,

David Smith