Left-handed vitamin C has healing properties, and right-handed vitamin C does not work or is even harmful, some sources say. Such claims are incorrect and result from a misunderstanding of the nomenclature. To convince that levorotatory vitamin C is the he althiest, best digestible and most effective in treating various diseases is pure marketing gimmick. We explain what vitamin C really is and how it works.
Only vitamin C left-handedhashealing properties. Only left-handed vitamin C is natural, the he althiest, the best absorbed and the most effective in treating diseases, some sources say. In turn, the right-handed vitamin C either does not work or is even harmful because it acidifies the body, others add. There is also information on the Internet that pharmacies only offer "non-effective" or "harmful" dextrorotatory vitamin C. However, these claims are false and often used as a marketing ploy. Vitamin C advertised as left-handed costs several dozen times more than regular, pharmacy vitamin C and is available only in online stores (and only advertised on the Internet).
Left-handed vitamin C - facts and myths
Vitamin C, or L-ascorbic acid, is clockwise. The perception that the opposite is true is due to a misunderstanding. The letter "L" in the name L-ascorbic acid has been mistakenly identified with left-handedness. In fact, the letter "L" and the term "left-handed" mean something else. To understand this, learn about the structure of ascorbic acid.
An ascorbic acid molecule consists of six carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms and six oxygen atoms. When we draw this three-dimensional molecule on the plane in the right way, then the group of atoms consisting of hydrogen and oxygen can be on the right or left side of the diagram .¹ In L-ascorbic acid this group of atoms is on the left, hence the letter "L" in name. In chemistry, the expression of right- or left-handedness in ascorbic acid is the signs (+) or (-).
A molecule that is considered vitamin C is assigned the L configuration (wrongly and commonly equated with left-handedness), and right-handedness (+).
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Vitamin C is a marketing ploy
Only the L configuration of ascorbic acid, i.e. L-ascorbic acid, is considered to be vitamin C. Any other form of ascorbic acid is not vitamin C, but a completely different compound and cannot be named or sold as a vitamin. All C vitamins available on the market - regardless of the manufacturers' assurances - are L-ascorbic acid.
Vitamin C - natural and artificial (synthetic)
Many myths also apply to natural and artificial (synthetic) vitamin C. Some argue that the he althiest is natural vitamin C (found, for example, in fruits), and that artificial (synthetic), produced in a laboratory, is less valuable.
In this case, the misunderstanding also stemmed from a misunderstanding of the concepts. Synthetic does not mean "not found in nature", but "being the result of chemical synthesis". From a chemical point of view, the vitamin C found in fruits and vegetables is also synthetic because it is formed by a chemical reaction from sugars. Therefore, regardless of where vitamin C comes from (fruit or laboratory), it has the same structure and properties. Scientists, however, have seen greater absorption of ascorbic acid from the diet compared to taking pure vitamin supplements. In addition, naturally occurring vitamin C stayed in the body longer.
READ MORE>>> Bibliography: 1. Dobosz A., Vitamin C. Facts and myths, "World of the Pharmaceutical Industry" 2016, no. 1