California Gold Nutrition is a well-known brand with a range of Vitamin C supplements. However, out of all their Vitamin C products, this one is clearly the most promising as it is the only one containing 1000mg of liposomal Vitamin C, which we believe is the best form and dosage for optimal absorption and benefits. While some of the other supplements may be appealing due to their lower price, don’t be fooled, as they will yield much less effective results.
California Gold Nutrition Liposomal Vitamin C claims to provide antioxidant and immune system support. It uses a proprietary blend of sodium ascorbate, which is a buffered (non-acidic) Vitamin C, and phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid which is needed to form the liposomal shape of Vitamin C. This supplement comes in liquid form, with each serving in an individual packet. We were happy to see that this product is manufactured in the USA and has a GMP certification, but it’s ultimately the formula that gets you the results.
The two biggest issues with Vitamin C supplements are (a) low absorption and (b) stomach irritation. Vitamin C is not easily absorbed in the body, and simply increasing its concentration results in stomach discomfort. Additionally, simply adding more of an ingredient which has low bioavailability will not produce effective results. Hence, the proper way to get the recommended dosage of Vitamin C without negatively affecting the stomach is (a) using quality ingredients that increase the bioavailability and absorption of the supplement in the body, and (b) using a buffered form of Vitamin C, which is less acidic and thus gentler on the stomach. California Gold Nutrition claims that its formula addresses both of these issues, but does it really?
Is California Gold Nutrition Liposomal Vitamin C Effective?
In order to discern whether or not this supplement is effective, we must first look at the amount of liposomal Vitamin C found in each serving. In the case of California Gold Nutrition Liposomal Vitamin C, a daily serving is 1 packet which contains 1000 mg of Vitamin C. This is double the amount found in some other products we have reviewed, but another important point to consider is whether or not it can be absorbed by the body. If it is not highly bioavailable, it could contain twice the amount yet still not provide any benefits. Therefore we must look at the additional ingredients found in this liposomal Vitamin C complex.
This product contains 500 mg phospholipids, which are necessary for transforming Vitamin C into its liposomal form and increasing its bioavailability. So far, so good. However, when we looked for additional ways in which this product increases nutrient absorption, we found none. This is slightly disappointing, as both quercetin and piperine are known ingredients used to increase absorption while also providing additional health benefits. Perhaps this supplement could have benefited from fewer phospholipids, which are used in unnecessary abundance in this formula, and instead augmented with more all-around advantageous bioenhancers.
Another point worth considering is the liquid form of this supplement. First of all, the individual packaging is meant to provide precise daily servings and preserve their freshness, yet both of these issues can be easily avoided by simply providing the supplement in capsule rather than liquid form. Using a liquid form can make ingesting the supplement more difficult, as it isn’t always pleasing to everyone’s palate, as mentioned by some consumers. What is the point of buying a quality supplement if it is so unpleasant to take that it just sits on your shelf collecting dust? Furthermore, certain additives are included in the formula in order to improve the taste and preserve the ingredients. It’s a real shame that this product doesn’t just come in capsule form, which would eliminate the need for these added ingredients and help to retain a higher level of purity.
Is California Gold Nutrition Liposomal Vitamin C Safe?
In general, this product is marketed as natural and safe. There are no mentioned side effects. It does contain soy, so it’s not suitable for those with a soy allergy.
As a general rule, it is always recommended to speak to your doctor before taking any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have any health conditions or are taking other medications.
Summary
California Gold Nutrition Liposomal Vitamin C supplies a good dose of liposomal Vitamin C that provides antioxidant and immune system support while also being gentle on the stomach. However, there were some bioavailability and absorption enhancing ingredients we were looking for that weren’t included in the formula, making us question whether this product really is as effective as it could be. Additionally, we weren’t impressed with the liquid form of this supplement as it is less convenient and includes unnecessary additives, and the individual packaging seems wasteful. Compared to other products we reviewed, this is a decent product, but it doesn’t really come close to our Editor’s Choice #1 product.
This product is GMP certified and third-party tested. Finally, it can be purchased at a decent price and comes with a 30-day return policy.
