Evidence supporting the use of: Potassium ascorbate
For the health condition: Scurvy
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5
Potassium ascorbate is justified for use in treating or preventing scurvy based on scientific evidence. Scurvy is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is essential for the synthesis of collagen and certain neurotransmitters, as well as for immune function. Potassium ascorbate is a salt formed from ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and potassium bicarbonate or carbonate. It provides a bioavailable form of vitamin C, and upon ingestion, it dissociates to release ascorbate ions, which the body can utilize in the same way as other forms of vitamin C. Multiple clinical studies and decades of medical consensus have established that vitamin C supplementation reverses the symptoms of scurvy, such as fatigue, gum disease, and poor wound healing. The form of vitamin C—whether ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, or potassium ascorbate—is largely a matter of formulation preference, with all providing effective vitamin C activity. Official guidance from health authorities such as the World Health Organization and the U.S. National Institutes of Health confirms the efficacy of vitamin C in treating scurvy, and potassium ascorbate has been used in clinical and supplemental settings for this purpose. Therefore, the use of potassium ascorbate to support or treat scurvy is scientifically validated, with the highest level of evidence supporting its efficacy due to its role as a direct source of vitamin C.