Vitamin C can be obtained from many natural sources.  The best known sources are the citrus fruits: oranges, lemons. tangerines, limes, and grapefruits.  The fruits with the highest natural concentrations are citrus fruits, rose hips, and acerola cherries.

Vegetable sources include: red and green peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, asparagus, parsley, dark leafy greens, cabbage, and sauerkraut.

Natural vitamin C supplements are made from rose hips, acerola cherries, peppers, or citrus fruits.  Synthetic ascorbic acid is usually made from food sources.

As a natural supplement it is available as infastacting and time-released tablets, chewable tablets, and in liquid form.  It is also available as various mineral ascorbate salts, such as sodium or calcium ascorbate.

The RDA (recommended daily allowance) for adults is considered to be 60mg.  Requirements for vitamin C vary according to age (needs increase with years), state of health, weight, activity and energy levels, and metabolism.  Needs are increased with stress (emotional and environmental), illness, and injuries.  Smoking, birth control pills, cortisone use, and aspirin all decrease vitamin C levels.  Only 10-20mg is needed to prevent scurvy.  The suggested allowances for various groups are as follows: