'
Solgar Ester-C Plus 500 mg
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Moderately Effective
Based on 3 Researches
8.3
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 15 Reviews
8.3
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Tablet
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Calories
5
 
Total Carbohydrate
1 g
<1%**
Vitamin C(as Ester C® calcium ascorbate)
1,000 mg
1,111%
Calcium(as Ester-C® calcium ascorbate)
100 mg
8%
Citrus BioflavonoidComplex
200 mg
***
Acerola Extract
25 mg
***
Rose Hips (fruit)
25 mg
***
Rutin
25 mg
***

Top Medical Research Studies

9
Vitamin C alleviates cold sores
Topical treatment of recurrent mucocutaneous herpes with ascorbic acid-containing solution.
Direct effectiveness evaluation noted
We investigated how an ascorbic acid-based solution could help treat recurrent cold sores, also known as mucocutaneous herpes. This study was carefully designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, which helps ensure the results are reliable and trustworthy.

Participants used a strong solution of Ascoxal, rich in vitamin C, applied to their cold sores multiple times on the first day of the outbreak. We monitored various symptoms daily, including the severity of scabs, redness, and blisters, comparing the experiences of those using the vitamin C solution to a placebo group.

Our findings were promising: the active treatment resulted in fewer days with scabbing and less severe symptoms overall. Moreover, those using the vitamin C solution showed reduced persistence of scabs compared to the placebo group, along with a lower frequency of detected herpes virus after treatment.

In conclusion, this brief course of vitamin C treatment appears to have significant clinical benefits against cold sores, opening the door for future research on more extensive and frequent treatment regimes.
Read More
8
Vitamin C shows potential for cold sores
A clinical pilot study of lignin--ascorbic acid combination treatment of herpes simplex virus.
Combination treatment lacks isolation
We conducted a clinical pilot study to evaluate the effects of a combination treatment of lignin—a substance derived from pine cones—mixed with vitamin C on cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Our study included 48 healthy participants, ranging from 4 to 61 years old, who had active lesions of HSV-1.

Participants received a daily dose of the lignin-ascorbic acid treatment for one month. Notably, those who began the treatment within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms did not develop typical cold sore lesions. For others who started later, we observed a shorter duration of cold sores and less severe symptoms compared to their previous outbreaks.

Many participants reported a reduction in both the severity and frequency of their cold sore episodes during treatment. Although the results suggest some benefits of this combination treatment, it’s important to note that vitamin C was part of the blend, making it challenging to evaluate its individual effect on cold sores directly.

Thus, while the combination of lignin and vitamin C appears promising for preventing and treating HSV-1 infection, further studies isolating vitamin C's effects would be helpful to understand its specific role in managing cold sores.
Read More
8
Potential effects on cold sores
The use of water-soluble bioflavonoid-ascorbic acid complex in the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis.
Moderate relevance of findings
We evaluated the effectiveness of a water-soluble complex combining bioflavonoids and ascorbic acid, which is commonly known as vitamin C, for treating cold sores caused by recurrent herpes labialis. The study involved 50 episodes of cold sores, with patients receiving different dosages of the vitamin C and bioflavonoid combination, while others were given a lactose placebo.

The regimen was followed for three days after participants felt the initial symptoms. We noted that the combination appeared to reduce the formation of blisters and helped maintain the integrity of the vesicular membrane. The best results came when treatment started during the early warning signs of an outbreak, leading to symptom relief in an average of about 4.2 days with the lower dosage.

Importantly, throughout the study, no adverse reactions were reported by participants. Although the combination product shows promise, it was difficult to isolate the specific impact of vitamin C alone due to its synergy with bioflavonoids.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

10
Prevented colds
I began taking vitamin C a year ago and haven't had a single cold since. 😎 Adding zinc made it even more effective.
Read More
9.5
Eases sore throat
I take high doses of vitamin C whenever I feel a sore throat coming on, and the pain usually goes away within a day or two instead of lasting a week. I highly recommend this!
Read More
9.5
Effective for colds
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps block free radicals and is essential for collagen production, keeping the skin youthful. I've taken Ester-C from Solgar for over three years, adjusting the dosage based on availability. I mainly take it alongside collagen and vitamin E for better absorption. Not only does it benefit my skin, but it also prevents colds and has alleviated symptoms whenever I felt a sore throat, usually after three days of taking it.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Moderately Effective
Based on 3 Researches
8.3
9
Vitamin C alleviates cold sores
Topical treatment of recurrent mucocutaneous herpes with ascorbic acid-containing solution.
Direct effectiveness evaluation noted
We investigated how an ascorbic acid-based solution could help treat recurrent cold sores, also known as mucocutaneous herpes. This study was carefully designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, which helps ensure the results are reliable and trustworthy.

Participants used a strong solution of Ascoxal, rich in vitamin C, applied to their cold sores multiple times on the first day of the outbreak. We monitored various symptoms daily, including the severity of scabs, redness, and blisters, comparing the experiences of those using the vitamin C solution to a placebo group.

Our findings were promising: the active treatment resulted in fewer days with scabbing and less severe symptoms overall. Moreover, those using the vitamin C solution showed reduced persistence of scabs compared to the placebo group, along with a lower frequency of detected herpes virus after treatment.

In conclusion, this brief course of vitamin C treatment appears to have significant clinical benefits against cold sores, opening the door for future research on more extensive and frequent treatment regimes.
Read More
8
Vitamin C shows potential for cold sores
A clinical pilot study of lignin--ascorbic acid combination treatment of herpes simplex virus.
Combination treatment lacks isolation
We conducted a clinical pilot study to evaluate the effects of a combination treatment of lignin—a substance derived from pine cones—mixed with vitamin C on cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Our study included 48 healthy participants, ranging from 4 to 61 years old, who had active lesions of HSV-1.

Participants received a daily dose of the lignin-ascorbic acid treatment for one month. Notably, those who began the treatment within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms did not develop typical cold sore lesions. For others who started later, we observed a shorter duration of cold sores and less severe symptoms compared to their previous outbreaks.

Many participants reported a reduction in both the severity and frequency of their cold sore episodes during treatment. Although the results suggest some benefits of this combination treatment, it’s important to note that vitamin C was part of the blend, making it challenging to evaluate its individual effect on cold sores directly.

Thus, while the combination of lignin and vitamin C appears promising for preventing and treating HSV-1 infection, further studies isolating vitamin C's effects would be helpful to understand its specific role in managing cold sores.
Read More
8
Potential effects on cold sores
The use of water-soluble bioflavonoid-ascorbic acid complex in the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis.
Moderate relevance of findings
We evaluated the effectiveness of a water-soluble complex combining bioflavonoids and ascorbic acid, which is commonly known as vitamin C, for treating cold sores caused by recurrent herpes labialis. The study involved 50 episodes of cold sores, with patients receiving different dosages of the vitamin C and bioflavonoid combination, while others were given a lactose placebo.

The regimen was followed for three days after participants felt the initial symptoms. We noted that the combination appeared to reduce the formation of blisters and helped maintain the integrity of the vesicular membrane. The best results came when treatment started during the early warning signs of an outbreak, leading to symptom relief in an average of about 4.2 days with the lower dosage.

Importantly, throughout the study, no adverse reactions were reported by participants. Although the combination product shows promise, it was difficult to isolate the specific impact of vitamin C alone due to its synergy with bioflavonoids.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 15 Reviews
8.3
10
Prevented colds
I began taking vitamin C a year ago and haven't had a single cold since. 😎 Adding zinc made it even more effective.
9.5
Effective for colds
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps block free radicals and is essential for collagen production, keeping the skin youthful. I've taken Ester-C from Solgar for over three years, adjusting the dosage based on availability. I mainly take it alongside collagen and vitamin E for better absorption. Not only does it benefit my skin, but it also prevents colds and has alleviated symptoms whenever I felt a sore throat, usually after three days of taking it.
Read More
9.5
Cold remedy
I continuously take these wonderful vitamins. The large packaging seems effective as I haven't caught any viruses. When I feel a cold coming on, I drink brandy with this vitamin, and in the morning, I'm fine. It's truly miraculous, as I read from a biochemist online.
9.5
Allergy relief
Since April 2016, these tablets have eliminated all my allergies, and I haven't had a cold since. I've gained plenty of energy and experienced no stomach issues. Highly recommend!
9.5
Sore throat remedy
This excellent vitamin C doesn’t irritate my stomach; it reduces symptoms of illness effectively. After my operation, it helped prevent me from getting sick, and I took it even with initial cold symptoms. I prefer this type over ascorbic acid without the side effects.
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