What Else Is Vitamin C Called? Other Names and Key Facts

December 10, 2025 •

3 min read

Over a third of adults in the United States report taking a multivitamin, which almost always contains a hefty dose of vitamin C. But beyond its common moniker, what else is vitamin C called? Scientifically, it's known as L-ascorbic acid, and it plays a critical role in human health.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals the various names for vitamin C, including L-ascorbic acid and ascorbate. It details the functions, key health benefits, and different forms of this essential nutrient, clarifying its role in the body and in supplements.

Key Points

Scientific Name: Vitamin C is most accurately called ascorbic acid, a water-soluble organic compound essential for human health.
Active Form: The biologically active form in humans is L-ascorbic acid, which is the version found in most food and supplements.
Salt Form: In the body's tissues, vitamin C is primarily found as ascorbate, the ionized or salt form of ascorbic acid.
Historical Context: The name 'ascorbic acid' stems from the term 'a-scorbutus,' highlighting its role in preventing the disease scurvy.
Oxidized Form: Dehydroascorbic acid is the oxidized form that the body can convert back into active vitamin C.
Differentiation: It's crucial to distinguish nutritional vitamin C from isoascorbic acid (erythorbic acid), a less active food preservative.
Key Functions: Beyond its antioxidant properties, it is vital for collagen formation, iron absorption, immune function, and hormone synthesis.

What is Vitamin C? Unpacking the Science

Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin, is an essential nutrient for humans, meaning the body cannot produce it on its own. Its primary function is as a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. It's crucial for the growth and repair of tissues throughout the body, playing a pivotal role in maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage.

The most prominent and scientifically recognized name for vitamin C is ascorbic acid. This name comes from its ability to prevent and cure scurvy, a disease caused by severe deficiency of the vitamin. The chemical name, L-ascorbic acid, specifically refers to the active, biologically available form of the vitamin.

Other Common Synonyms and Terms for Vitamin C

In addition to ascorbic acid, other names and terms for vitamin C include:

Ascorbate: This refers to the salt form of ascorbic acid, predominant in the body at physiological pH levels. Mineral ascorbates, such as sodium and calcium ascorbate, are often found in supplements.
Antiscorbutic Vitamin: This name highlights its historical role in preventing scurvy.
L-ascorbate: A specific term for the ionized form of L-ascorbic acid.
Dehydroascorbic acid (DHA): The oxidized form of vitamin C, which the body can convert back to L-ascorbic acid.
Erythorbic acid (Isoascorbic acid): An isomer used as a food additive (E315) for its antioxidant properties, not a nutritional substitute for vitamin C.

Forms of Vitamin C in Supplements vs. Natural Sources

While the body recognizes L-ascorbic acid from any source, natural sources provide it alongside bioflavonoids and other nutrients, which some studies suggest may enhance absorption. However, the bioavailability of ascorbic acid from supplements is generally comparable to that from food sources.

Comparison: Natural vs. Supplemental Vitamin C


Feature	Natural Vitamin C (e.g., Oranges, Broccoli)	Supplemental Vitamin C (e.g., Ascorbic Acid Tablets)
Form	Primarily L-ascorbic acid with other nutrients.	Isolated ascorbic acid or mineral salts.
Absorption	High, potentially enhanced by bioflavonoids.	Comparable to natural sources, though high doses may reduce efficiency.
Cost	Varies by season and local availability.	Often inexpensive.
Benefits	Provides a complete nutritional package.	Convenient for dietary gaps or deficiency.

Essential Functions and Health Benefits

Vitamin C is a cofactor for enzymes involved in the synthesis of important substances and offers numerous health benefits.

Collagen Synthesis: Crucial for strong skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels.
Antioxidant Activity: Protects cells from oxidative stress.
Immune System Support: Important for immune cell function.
Iron Absorption: Improves the absorption of nonheme iron.
Hormone Production: Acts as a cofactor in the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters.

Conclusion: More Than Just 'Vitamin C'

Understanding the various names like ascorbic acid and ascorbate is key for navigating nutrition. Whether from food or supplements, this nutrient is essential for protecting cells, building connective tissue, and supporting overall health. Informed consumers can make better choices by recognizing what else vitamin C is called.

Why Knowing the Other Names for Vitamin C Matters

Knowing that vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid aids in understanding supplement labels and scientific information.

A Broader Understanding of Ascorbate

Ascorbate is the form in which vitamin C primarily functions within the body.

The Role of Dehydroascorbic Acid

Dehydroascorbic acid is recycled back to ascorbic acid by the body.

The Function of Mineral Ascorbates

Mineral ascorbates like sodium or calcium ascorbate are often used in supplements and may be easier on the stomach.

The Distinction of Isoascorbic Acid

Isoascorbic acid (erythorbic acid) is a food preservative with little vitamin activity and should not be confused with nutritional vitamin C.

Frequently Asked Questions

The chemical name for Vitamin C is ascorbic acid, which is often specified as L-ascorbic acid to denote its biologically active form.

Yes, ascorbic acid is the chemical name for Vitamin C. In nutritional contexts, the terms are used interchangeably, and most dietary supplements contain vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid.

The name 'antiscorbutic vitamin' comes from the fact that vitamin C deficiency causes the disease scurvy. Its discovery as the cure and preventative for scurvy led to this historical name.

Ascorbate is the salt form of ascorbic acid, which is the state in which it is found in the body at a normal physiological pH. Mineral ascorbates, like sodium and calcium ascorbate, are often used in supplements.

No, isoascorbic acid (erythorbic acid) is an optical isomer of vitamin C and is not an effective substitute for nutritional intake. It is mainly used as a food preservative and is rapidly excreted by the body.

The name 'ascorbic acid' was given in 1933 by Albert Szent-Györgyi and Norman Haworth. It is derived from 'a-scorbutus,' which is Latin for 'no scurvy,' referencing its ability to prevent and treat the disease.

Dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) is the oxidized form of L-ascorbic acid. The human body can efficiently convert DHA back into the active ascorbic acid, making it a usable form of the vitamin.