Side-by-Side Comparison
Essential Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) vs. Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol)
Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol)
Vitamin C is a water-soluble electron donor and antioxidant essential for collagen proline/lysine hydroxylation, non-heme iron absorption, and immune phagocyte function. Adult RDA is 90mg (men) / 75mg (women), with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 2,000mg/day.
Vitamin E is the principal fat-soluble peroxyl radical-scavenging antioxidant protecting cellular polyunsaturated membrane phospholipids. Adult RDA is 15 mg (22.4 IU) of d-alpha-tocopherol, with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 1,000 mg (1,500 IU)/day.
Specification Comparison Table
9 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Nutrient Type
|
Water-Soluble Vitamin | Fat-Soluble Chromanol Lipophilic Vitamin |
|
Adult RDA / RDI
|
90 mg (Men) / 75 mg (Women) (+35mg for smokers) | 15 mg / day (22.4 IU) of 2R-alpha-tocopherol |
|
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
|
2,000 mg / day (Avoid osmotic diarrhea) | 1,000 mg / day (1,500 IU synthetic) (Excess impairs Vitamin K clotting cascade) |
|
Chemical Forms
|
L-Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Calcium Ascorbate | RRR-alpha-Tocopherol (Natural d-alpha), all-rac-alpha-Tocopherol (Synthetic dl-alpha), Gamma/Delta-Tocopherols |
|
Primary Biological Function
|
Prolyl/Lysyl Hydroxylase cofactor (Collagen), ROS scavenger, Carnitine synthesis | Breaks lipid peroxidation chain in PUFA cell membranes, protects LDL from oxidative modification, maintains erythrocyte membrane integrity |
|
Deficiency Condition
|
Scurvy (Collagen breakdown, capillary fragility, impaired wound healing) | Hemolytic anemia, Spinocerebellar ataxia, Peripheral neuropathy, Loss of vibratory/proprioceptive sense |
|
Top Whole Food Sources
|
Red Bell Pepper, Strawberries, Citrus, Kiwi, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts | Wheat Germ Oil, Sunflower Seeds, Raw Almonds, Hazelnuts, Sunflower Oil, Spinach, Hass Avocado |
|
Thermolability
|
Highly heat- and oxygen-sensitive (degrades rapidly with prolonged boiling) | — |
|
Hepatic Alpha-TTP Specificity
|
— | The liver secretes only alpha-tocopherol into VLDL via Alpha-Tocopherol Transfer Protein (alpha-TTP); other tocopherols are degraded in bile |
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