Popular but Dangerous: The truth about Emergen-C Packets

Is The Immune Boosting Elixir Making You Sicker With It’s Synthetic Vitamins?!

Emergen-C® is vitamin C-based fizzy powdered drink mix that suggests it provides people with energy boost, elevated immunity response, and the benefit of overall health.

First things first.. The manufacturers website admits to using GMO products but they do not discuss which ingredients are GMO. From Alacer, Emergen-C manufacturers website: “We have chosen to source materials that are non-GMO whenever possible. That being said, we cannot guarantee that all of our raw materials are sourced from non-GMO ingredients and do not currently have this requirement in place for our vendors.”

A facility in New Jersey, owned by Hoffman-LaRoche, is one of the world’s biggest drug manufacturers (1 800 526 0189). Over 90% of ascorbic acid in this country is manufactured in this facility. Most U.S. vitamin companies buy ascorbic acid made from cornstarch and volatile acids, in bulk from this facility. Each company makes its own product formulations, labels and products claims including the exact same synthetic vitamin C.

What’s Wrong with Ascorbic Acid?

Contrary to popular belief, ascorbic acid and vitamin C are not the same thing.  Did you know that almost all vitamin C in dietary supplements is synthetic? Because it’s almost impossible to get much more than 100-150 mg of vitamin C from food into a tablet.

The vitamin C that is sold at the grocery is a man-made chemical copy of naturally occurring ascorbic acid, which is not vitamin C at all. It’s a chemical, a by-product of sulfuric acid and a GMO sourced cornstarch derivative. Synthetic vitamins in mega-doses have toxic effects and actually can increase the white blood cell count.

Gerard Mullin, director of integrative gastrointestinal nutrition services at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and author of The Inside Tract: Your Good Gut Guide to Great Digestive Health, stated “In high-enough doses, vitamin C can cause kidney stones.” Any amount larger than 500 milligrams per day can be enough to cause a problem, he says. That’s only half a 1-gram packet of Emergen-C. “It rarely happens, but there have been case reports.” 

Health Dangers of Ascorbic Acid

• Synthetic vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, kills beneficial probiotic bacteria in the gut
• Ascorbic acid impairs muscle’s mitochondrial function and adaptability to exercise.
• Increases risk of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes. (AJCN)
• Shown to cause an increased risk of kidney stones.
• Reacts with iron in “enriched” foods, causing neurological conditions.

Sandquist says, adverse reactions to synthetic vitamin C, such as stomach cramps, diarrhea and nausea can occur. Less common side effects include, insomnia, decrease in progesterone, headache, vomiting, heartburn, throat irritation, gluten reactions, poor drug interactions and allergic reactions could also occur.

If you are feeling a little run down and are looking for a natural energy and immune boost, I suggest you consider organic foods rich in vitamin C. These options are citrus fruits, green peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, white potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Other good sources include dark leafy greens, cantaloupe, papaya, mango, watermelon, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, red peppers, raspberries, blueberries, winter squash, and pineapples.

Sometimes eating enough fruits and vegetables daily to maintain good health isn’t easy. Whole food vitamins maybe an ideal addition. Whole food vitamins are derived from whole foods, which contain complex nutrients that are needed by our bodies.