Enzovita Proimmune C 60 Veggie Capsules

Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin that humans cannot synthesise and must obtain from food. Besides the common form, ascorbic acid, there is calcium ascorbate, bound to calcium to lower its acidity, and the Ester-C form, which also contains a vitamin C metabolite (L-threonate).

Vitamin C is a key water-soluble antioxidant that neutralises free radicals by donating electrons, and it regenerates other antioxidants such as vitamin E. As a cofactor for collagen-synthesising enzymes (prolyl and lysyl hydroxylases), it is needed for collagen formation in the skin's dermis. It accumulates at high concentrations in phagocytes such as neutrophils, supporting their migration and phagocytic function, and helps maintain the epithelial barrier of the skin and mucous membranes. It also aids the absorption of plant-based (non-heme) iron.

1. A Cochrane systematic review (2013, over 10,000 participants) found that regular vitamin C intake made no difference to the frequency of upper respiratory discomfort in the general population, but shortened symptom duration by 8% in adults and 14% in children, and in groups with intense physical activity such as marathon runners the risk of occurrence was reported to be about half (RR 0.48).
2. A review (2017) summarised evidence that vitamin C supports neutrophil migration and phagocytosis, lymphocyte differentiation and proliferation, and epithelial barrier function, and that an intake of 100–200 mg/day is needed to maintain adequate blood levels.
3. A review (2017) summarised that vitamin C is present at high concentrations in normal skin and is involved in promoting collagen synthesis and in antioxidant protection against UV-induced oxidative damage, and compared the evidence for improving skin vitamin C status through dietary intake.
4. A systematic review of 13 studies in healthy adults (2025) reported studies in which Ester-C (calcium ascorbate EC) caused less digestive discomfort than ascorbic acid and resulted in higher vitamin C concentrations in white blood cells.

1. meta-analysisHemilä H et al. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013. PMID 23440782
2. reviewCarr AC et al. Vitamin C and Immune Function Nutrients. 2017. PMID 29099763
3. reviewPullar JM et al. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health Nutrients. 2017. PMID 28805671
4. reviewCalder PC et al. Enhanced Vitamin C Delivery: A Systematic Literature Review Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Alternative Supplement Forms in Healthy Adults Nutrients. 2025. PMID 39861409

A plant polyphenol ingredient made by water extraction of the bark of New Zealand radiata pine (Pinus radiata). On a dry powder basis it contains over 80% proanthocyanidins, along with taxifolin (1–2%) and other flavonoids and phenolic acids.

Its main constituents, proanthocyanidins (oligomers of linked catechin and epicatechin units), are known to scavenge free radicals directly and regenerate vitamin C, supporting the body's antioxidant network. Studies have looked at its relationship to the nitric oxide (NO) production environment in vascular endothelial cells, and cell experiments observed reduced expression of endothelial adhesion molecules and reduced monocyte migration in response to TNF-α stimulation. Test-tube studies have also reported lowered activity of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase), so its relationship to post-meal metabolic responses is being studied. These antioxidant and vascular mechanisms form the background for research on blood flow to the brain and cognitive function markers.

1. In a 5-week double-blind controlled study of 42 men aged 50–65 with a body mass index of 25 or more, the Enzogenol + vitamin C group showed faster response times on spatial working memory and immediate recognition tasks, while the vitamin C-only group showed no change. There were no changes in blood safety markers.
2. In a study randomising 44 adult smokers to Enzogenol 480 mg + vitamin C or vitamin C alone for 12 weeks, vascular dilation response (FMD) improved similarly in both groups, but the protein oxidation marker (protein carbonyl) was significantly lower in the Enzogenol group, and lower fibrinogen levels were observed in heavier smokers.
3. In a crossover study in which 25 healthy adults took placebo and Enzogenol 50 mg and 400 mg before oral glucose tolerance tests, people with a single-peak glucose curve showed a lower post-meal incremental glucose area (iAUC) and lower peak glucose than with placebo.
4. Composition and toxicity studies of the ingredient reported no abnormal findings with repeated dosing in animals, and no adverse changes in liver or kidney function or haematological markers in humans taking 480 mg/day for 6 months or 960 mg/day for 5 weeks.

1. RCTPipingas A et al. Improved cognitive performance after dietary supplementation with a Pinus radiata bark extract formulation. Phytother Res. 2008. PMID 18683195
2. RCTYoung JM et al. Comparative effects of enzogenol and vitamin C supplementation versus vitamin C alone on endothelial function and biochemical markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic smokers. Free Radic Res. 2006. PMID 16298763
3. clinical studyLim WXJ et al. An Acute, Placebo-Controlled, Single-Blind, Crossover, Dose-Response, Exploratory Study to Assess the Effects of New Zealand Pine Bark Extract (Enzogenol(®)) on Glycaemic Responses in Healthy Participants. Nutrients. 2020. PMID 32075228
4. clinical studyFrevel MA et al. Production, composition and toxicology studies of Enzogenol® Pinus radiata bark extract. Food Chem Toxicol. 2012. PMID 22982471