Training hard suppresses your immune system. That is not opinion - it is a well-documented physiological response called the "open window" period, where intense or prolonged exercise temporarily reduces immune cell function for anywhere from 3 to 72 hours post-session. It is the reason athletes get sick more often during heavy training blocks and taper weeks leading into race day, and it is why a generic pharmacy vitamin C tablet is not built for this problem.
Pillar Performance Vitamin C + Zinc delivers 1000mg of ascorbic acid and 15mg of elemental zinc (as zinc gluconate) in a single film-coated tablet. One tablet per day, 60-day supply per bottle. No loading phase, no complicated timing, no splitting doses.
Why these two nutrients together?
Vitamin C is the most extensively studied antioxidant in exercise science. At 1000mg per day, it helps neutralise the spike in free radicals generated during high-volume resistance and endurance sessions - the oxidative stress that damages muscle cell membranes and slows recovery between sessions. It also plays a direct role in collagen synthesis, supporting connective tissue repair in tendons, ligaments, and joints under training load.
Zinc governs over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including immune cell communication and protein synthesis. The problem is that zinc is lost through sweat at meaningful rates during exercise, and most athletes don't replace it through food alone. Zinc gluconate - the form used here - is chosen for absorption efficiency and digestive tolerance, so it won't sit heavy alongside your morning meal or post-workout shake.
Who is this for?
Endurance runners, cyclists, triathletes, gym athletes, and anyone training four or more sessions per week. Equally suited to people managing demanding schedules, shift work, or seasonal immune pressure who want clinical-dose support without a complicated supplement stack. If you are already taking Pillar's Triple Magnesium or Electrolyte Hydration, this slots in as the immune layer of the same system.
Key specs at a glance
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): 1000mg per tablet | Zinc (as zinc gluconate): 15mg elemental per tablet | Format: film-coated tablet | Serves per bottle: 60 | Informed Sport Certified (every batch tested for WADA banned substances) | Free from gluten, dairy, nuts, soy, and egg
How to use
Take 1 tablet daily with food. Best absorbed alongside breakfast or a post-workout meal. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Not suitable for persons under 15 years of age or pregnant women. Store below 30°C in a dry place away from sunlight.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from a standard vitamin C + zinc from the pharmacy?
Three things. First, the doses are clinical-strength - 1000mg of vitamin C and 15mg of zinc, calibrated for the oxidative load of regular training rather than general wellness. Second, the zinc form (zinc gluconate) is selected for bioavailability and gut tolerance, not just cost. Third, every batch is Informed Sport Certified, meaning it has been independently tested for substances banned in sport - something no pharmacy brand offers.
Can I take this alongside other Pillar Performance products?
Yes. This is designed to work as part of the broader Pillar system. Pair it with Triple Magnesium for recovery and sleep, Electrolyte Hydration for training hydration, or Ultra Omega for inflammation management. There are no interaction concerns between these products.
Is one tablet per day enough during winter or heavy training?
The 1000mg vitamin C and 15mg zinc per serve is the evidence-based daily dose for immune support under training stress. If you are dealing with acute illness or extreme training volume, speak to your healthcare professional about short-term dosing adjustments. Do not exceed the stated dose without professional guidance, as excess zinc over prolonged periods can interfere with copper absorption.
Do I need to cycle off this product?
No. This is formulated for consistent daily use year-round. The nutrients are water-soluble (vitamin C) and essential (zinc), meaning your body uses what it needs and excretes the excess vitamin C. Consistent daily intake delivers better immune resilience than intermittent high-dose loading.
Training hard suppresses your immune system. That is not opinion - it is a well-documented physiological response called the "open window" period, where intense or prolonged exercise temporarily reduces immune cell function for anywhere from 3 to 72 hours post-session. It is the reason athletes get sick more often during heavy training blocks and taper weeks leading into race day, and it is why a generic pharmacy vitamin C tablet is not built for this problem.
Pillar Performance Vitamin C + Zinc delivers 1000mg of ascorbic acid and 15mg of elemental zinc (as zinc gluconate) in a single film-coated tablet. One tablet per day, 60-day supply per bottle. No loading phase, no complicated timing, no splitting doses.
Why these two nutrients together?
Vitamin C is the most extensively studied antioxidant in exercise science. At 1000mg per day, it helps neutralise the spike in free radicals generated during high-volume resistance and endurance sessions - the oxidative stress that damages muscle cell membranes and slows recovery between sessions. It also plays a direct role in collagen synthesis, supporting connective tissue repair in tendons, ligaments, and joints under training load.
Zinc governs over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including immune cell communication and protein synthesis. The problem is that zinc is lost through sweat at meaningful rates during exercise, and most athletes don't replace it through food alone. Zinc gluconate - the form used here - is chosen for absorption efficiency and digestive tolerance, so it won't sit heavy alongside your morning meal or post-workout shake.
Who is this for?
Endurance runners, cyclists, triathletes, gym athletes, and anyone training four or more sessions per week. Equally suited to people managing demanding schedules, shift work, or seasonal immune pressure who want clinical-dose support without a complicated supplement stack. If you are already taking Pillar's Triple Magnesium or Electrolyte Hydration, this slots in as the immune layer of the same system.
Key specs at a glance
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): 1000mg per tablet | Zinc (as zinc gluconate): 15mg elemental per tablet | Format: film-coated tablet | Serves per bottle: 60 | Informed Sport Certified (every batch tested for WADA banned substances) | Free from gluten, dairy, nuts, soy, and egg
How to use
Take 1 tablet daily with food. Best absorbed alongside breakfast or a post-workout meal. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Not suitable for persons under 15 years of age or pregnant women. Store below 30°C in a dry place away from sunlight.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from a standard vitamin C + zinc from the pharmacy?
Three things. First, the doses are clinical-strength - 1000mg of vitamin C and 15mg of zinc, calibrated for the oxidative load of regular training rather than general wellness. Second, the zinc form (zinc gluconate) is selected for bioavailability and gut tolerance, not just cost. Third, every batch is Informed Sport Certified, meaning it has been independently tested for substances banned in sport - something no pharmacy brand offers.
Can I take this alongside other Pillar Performance products?
Yes. This is designed to work as part of the broader Pillar system. Pair it with Triple Magnesium for recovery and sleep, Electrolyte Hydration for training hydration, or Ultra Omega for inflammation management. There are no interaction concerns between these products.
Is one tablet per day enough during winter or heavy training?
The 1000mg vitamin C and 15mg zinc per serve is the evidence-based daily dose for immune support under training stress. If you are dealing with acute illness or extreme training volume, speak to your healthcare professional about short-term dosing adjustments. Do not exceed the stated dose without professional guidance, as excess zinc over prolonged periods can interfere with copper absorption.
Do I need to cycle off this product?
No. This is formulated for consistent daily use year-round. The nutrients are water-soluble (vitamin C) and essential (zinc), meaning your body uses what it needs and excretes the excess vitamin C. Consistent daily intake delivers better immune resilience than intermittent high-dose loading.
