L-ascorbic acid is commonly known as simply ascorbate and is often called Vitamin C. Being one of the best known vitamins, it's an irreplaceable and important nutrient for humans and some animals. It's water-soluble vitamin, naturally containing in some foods. As humans need this vitamin to stay healthy, it's often added to different foods and and available as a dietary supplement. People can't synthesize L-ascorbic acid, when most animals are able to do it.

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