The Chemistry of Emergen-C

-Main Ingredients have * in front.

• Antioxidants help protect cells from cancer and other viruses.
• Vitamin C helps maintain a healthy immune system,, supports collagen, and has a protein in it to help our skin.
• Zinc sustains white blood cell activity, also provides antioxidant protection.
• Manganese promotes healthy skin, bone, and cartilage formation.
• B1 (Thiamin) boost energy, breaks down carbs for metabolism and a normal nervous system.
• B2 (Riboflavin) breaks down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Used for energy and repair of the body.
• B3 (Niacin) produces energy and builds fatty acids and hormones.
• B6 the body does not make this nutrient.
• B9 (Folic Acid) has healthy effects on body working with enzymes. Maintain amino acid in the blood.
• B5 (Pantothenic Acid) used in body to generate energy from fat, carbs, and proteins.
• Electrolytes help stay hydrated and support energy production. Lose this when sweating.
• Calcium and Magnesium backing hydration and muscle function.
• Sodium like above also supports blood pH.
• Potassium important for functioning body.

Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components

Vitamin C

• (C6H8O6) or Ascorbic Acid.
• Vitamin C enables the body to efficiently use carbohydrates, fats, and protein.
• The body does not store Vitamin C.
• Vitamin C is a cofactor in at least eight enzymatic reactions. Also, Vitamin C is the formation of collagen which is produced by special ribosomes in cells. During the process of the collagen formation the body must manufacture hydroxyproline (amino acid proline). Without the Vitamin C for this process the body will become very weak.
• When the body does not receive enough Vitamin C this causes the collagen synthesis to have a reaction and cause severe symptoms of scurvy.
• Vitamin C in the body acts an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are compounds formed when our bodies convert the food we eat into energy.

Potassium

• K
• Potassium is soft silvery-white reactive metal.
• A mineral that helps your muscles contract, helps regulate fluids and mineral balance in and out of body cells and helps maintain blood pressure by blunting the effect of sodium.
• Deficiencies of potassium are increased risk of hypertension, kidney stones, osteoporosis, and stroke.

Chemistry's Role

It may have been hard to find but Chemistry has a very important role in the composition of Emergen-C. Most of the ingredients in this mixture are straight from the periodic table! Also, they each have their own molecular formula. All the ingredients are combined into one to make the fizzy drink of Emergen-C. Vitamin C is not stored in our body. We must get this vitamin other ways as in the foods we eat. The Chemistry role that Vitamin C plays in our body is that Vitamin C is a cofactor in a least eight enzymatic reactions. It is the formation of the collagen which is produced by special ribosomes in cells. During the process, of the formation the body must make hydroxyproline an amino acid proline. Hydroxyproline’ molecular formula is C5H9NO3. Without Vitamin C for the collagen process the body will become very sick and this is when the disease scurvy with start to occur. This reason being that Vitamin-C is most abundant ingredient in this product to supply our body with the right amount of Vitamin C needed.

Background Research

In 1978, Alacer Corps introduced Emergen-C the “champagne of nutritional drinks.” The fizzy drink mix featured 1000mg of vitamin C, B vitamins and electrolytes, which became Alacer’s signature formulation. Emergen-C is a tasty drink that only takes seconds to mix with water. Emergen-C products are either manufactured in Foothill Ranch, CA or Carlisle, PA facilities. Alacer’s mission is to build on it's legacy of innovation by providing the world with nutritionally enhanced products that support an energetic, healthy lifestyle.

Resources

http://www.emergenc.com/nutrient-glossary

Definitions on every Vitamin/Nutrient/Antioxidant and it's purpose of being in Emergen-C

Food Label: http://www.emergenc.com/products#original-formula.super-orange

Other Ingredients : Fructose, citric acid, natural orange flavors, malic acid, orange juice powder, , tapioca, maltodextrin, silica, beta carotene, glycine, aspartic acid, tartaric acid, and cysteine hydrochloride.

http://www.emergenc.com/misc/alacer

Background info on Emergen-C

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergen-C

Emergen-C is a powdered drink mix vitamin supplement made by Alacer Corp

It includes many vitamins in a small dose instead of taking each vitaman individually

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-emergen-c.htm

Core ingredients

http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-6651-alacer-emergen-c-vitamin-c-super-orange-1000-mg-30-packets

How to take Emergen-C and what is it.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5036106_emergen_c-side-effects.html

Emergen-C facts.

http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/szentgyorgyi.html

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/vitamin-supplements/question129.htm

Vitamin C info

http://www.webelements.com/potassium/history.html

Potassium info

http://science.uvu.edu/ochem/index.php/alphabetical/s-t/structural-formula/

Vitamin C molecular structure

About the Author