Lose 56 lbs by Memorial Day

Startling German research reveals a vitamin C surprise that heals your whole body—fast

As millions turned to vitamin C– rich foods and supplements to boost immunity during the pandemic, most had no idea they were setting themselves up for a slew of slimming side effects. Indeed, women have suddenly begun melting up to 11 pounds a week— a phenomenon that doesn’t surprise experts one bit. “We know people with the highest levels of vitamin C in their body burn more fat and weigh less,” confirms Arizona State University’s Carol Johnston, PH.D., who has led dozens of studies on the nutrient.

Meanwhile, British scientists now have proof that C helps women over 50 build more metabolism-boosting muscle. There’s also evidence the vitamin releases flab that accumulates when blood sugar is high. “Getting optimal amounts of C can be a game changer,” says top natural-health expert Natasha Turner, N.D. Of course, not everyone who increases their C gets lean. But there’s a breakthrough fix for that…

Turns out, vitamin C is water soluble, meaning as soon as it hits fluid in our GI tract, it begins to dissolve. “This allows it to enter cells quickly yet makes it hard to store,” explains Harvard-trained integrative physician Amy Shah, M.D. If we consume a lot of C at once or take a traditional supplement, 50% or more is simply flushed away in our

urine. So here’s what scientists did: They put vitamin C in little bubbles of fat called liposomes to slow the nutrient’s breakdown. Better yet, they realized these bubbles end up sticking to cell membranes, so as C is gradually released, it’s pulled directly into cells. “That means much more gets absorbed,” notes Dr. Shah, author of I’m So Effing Tired: A Proven Plan to Beat Burnout,

Boost Your Energy and Reclaim Your Life. The proof: A recent German study found liposomal supplements increase vitamin C in cells by a whopping 265%. The formulation works so much better, word spread quickly— causing all liposomal C supplements to sell out on Amazon!

Why fat melts

Extensive testing at Arizona State has found vitamin C plays a key role in metabolism; one small study even found folks who reverse a C deficiency start burning 300% more fat. The vitamin also lets us make carnitine, an amino acid that builds muscle tissue, says Ailsa Welch, PH.D., a nutrient researcher at England’s University of East Anglia. Her study determined that older women with the most C have the most muscle. And more muscle means burning more calories— even as we sleep.

There’s more: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect the body against damage linked to diabetes. In fact, in one six-week study, “a group given 1,000 mg. of vitamin C experienced a significant decrease in blood sugar and insulin, while a group given less C saw no improvements,” reveals Dr. Turner, bestselling author of The Supercharged Hormone Diet. She adds that the hormone insulin often malfunctions, driving hunger and fat storage in our midsection. “Anything that lowers insulin will help control hunger, prevent cravings and eliminate belly fat.”

And C isn’t just about slimming. It keeps immunity strong, plus lowers high blood pressure and cholesterol, regulates moods and much more—there’s no downside to getting C up!

Get this much C

“When I do blood tests, I find over 95% of women have less than optimal levels of C,” says

Dr. Turner. “So almost everyone can benefit from a serving of C-rich foods at every sitting.” Best bets include citrus, bell peppers, tropical fruit, berries, cruciferous veggies, leafy greens, tomato and sweet potato. Worth noting: C and blood sugar use the same “door” to get into cells, so a high-sugar diet lowers C absorption. It’s best to avoid added sugar and excess starch.

Want to try a supplement? The docs we spoke to typically recommend 1,000 to 3,000 mg. a day. If you opt for a liposomal supplement, you can take your whole dose at once; for standard supplements, divide into two or three doses. Dr. Shah notes that folks who have C-depleting lifestyle factors like high stress or smoking may need more of the vitamin. Always speak to your doctor before taking any supplement to determine how much is right for you.

Real-world wow

When Melissa Dorff read about liposomal vitamin C on the web, she ordered herself a $20 bottle of Align Organics

Liposomal Vitamin C and began taking 1,400 mg. a day after breakfast. “I also tried to eat healthier—and that meant a lot of C-rich foods like oatmeal with berries, homemade tomato sauce and baked sweet potatoes,” recalls the New Jersey marketing director, 38. “I didn’t add any exercise or try to cut back my portions. I noticed I was a little less hungry, but even that doesn’t really explain it. I just started losing weight really fast. Much faster than when I’ve been on strict diets!” All told, she’s shed 49 pounds. And she still makes sure to get her C daily. “It was the easiest thing ever. I feel fabulous. And despite a lot of crazy stress in my life, I haven’t gotten sick once!”