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Vitamin
C Myths! by Glen Gillard (Naturopath
& Health Consultant)
 Myth 1
Ascorbic Acid is a synthetic Vitamin.
 Myth 2
Ascorbic Acid interferes with the body's ability to absorb Vitamin C from fruit & vegetables
and in some way will damage the Immune System by this mechanism.
Myth 3
Ascorbic Acid causes Cardio Vascular Disease & Kidney Stones.
Because humans cannot synthesize Vitamin C in their liver like most animals, they are
dependent on exogenous sources (outside of the body) in the diet.
If people took all of their food from garden to meal plate, didn't lead
stressful lives and lived in a pristine environment with clean air and
water, then they could expect to get enough Vitamin C to support
immunity, strength, tissue repair, cellular detoxification, reduced
oxidation and aging. True Vitamin C is ascorbic acid, whereas
metallo Vitamin C Molecules like Calcium Ascorbate are not what you will
find in your vitamin rich Vitamin C foods like freshly picked Citrus,
Parsley etc. Ascorbic Acid stimulates Cytochrome P450 (dnase I)
enzymes in the liver. These enzymes neutralize chemicals or
convert them into intermediate forms that are further processed by phase
II enzymes which bind to these compounds for elimination. Ascorbic
Acid raises levels of important phase II Glutathione. This phase
II detoxifier protects liver cells from free radicals.
Myth
1
Vitamin C occurs in Nature with a number of molecules called Bioflavenoids. Hesperidin
from fresh citrus is a dominant flavenoid that has been shown to
increase the efficacy of Ascorbic Acid 8-10 fold. Hesperidin is
commercially derived from citrus, however it is difficult to
commercially derive a stable Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) economically from
plant sources, so we bio-synthesize from glucose (usually derived from
corn starch). The laboratory process is nature identical, the
shift of a hydrogen atom of glucose makes Vitamin C the same as animals
will bio-synthesize this on demand in their liver. The word
synthetic Ascorbic Acid does not fit as we usually view a synthetic
substance as a chemical from coal-tar (petroleum) of a true synthetic
like polyester.
Hard working people in our modern world need loads of Vitamin C & Bioflavenoids like
Hesperidin. Vitamin C is necessary for maintaining healthy adrenal
function to overcome fatigue from exertion and stress responses.
We rarely see scurvy in modern society, but most people who don't
supplement daily have sub-clinical deficiencies of Vitamin C e.g. we see
backache as common place and it is often a symptom of adrenal fatigue
due to the sub-clinical nutrition deficiencies such as Vitamin C and
Hesperidin. Today modern man has a serious problem with exposure
to industrial chemicals including heavy metals like lead, cadmium &
mercury. These contaminants can cause genetic damage and
accelerate aging and can also cause a myriad of chronic diseases
including neuronal damage, literally destroying quality of life.
Ascorbic Acid and Hesperidin have been widely accepted as binders and
detoxifiers of the various metals and contaminants. Mineral
Ascorbates whilst very beneficial as Vitamin C supplements, cannot
perform this task of binding heavy metals adequately as they are already
bound to a buffering agent which neutralizes the acid.
Vitamin C and Hesperidin play a significant role in the biosynthesis of endogenous collagens (the
body's cellular cement that holds us together) including maintaining the
integrity of this cement in our arteries and small vessels, thus
reducing the potential for fragility and breakage, hemorrhage and
profusion. Vitamin C and Hesperidin helps to prevent permeability
of our circulator system, hence lowering the risk of high blood pressure
and strokes, also reducing oxidation of cholesterol and the build up of
plaque. You may have seen the Anti Smoking advertisements showing
the clogged arteries in smokers i.e. smoking destroys Vitamin C so you
can get more oxidation of fats that clog arteries.
The groups over many years who have postered negative propaganda regarding side effects of
supplemental Vitamin C have always somewhat lost out as it is still the
number one Vitamin in the entire world and will probably always remain
so, as we all need it and our recommended daily requirements from our
respective government authorities fall well behind what many leading
nutritionists believe is good for you to meet your individual needs,
lifestyle stresses and contamination exposure. The idea that our
Vitamin C should be derived from fruits and vegetables, versus
bio-synthesized Vitamin C means at present sacrificing too much of our
fresh food supply to meet the world demand for plant derived Vitamin C
and puts it outside the affordability of most of the population.
To get the measurable doses we need daily, I am comfortable recommending
1-2 grams of Vitamin C twice daily to most adults and a portion of this
for children, depending on age and size. The only side effect I
have ever seen in 25 years of clinical practice is a loose bowel motion
from doses in excess of 2-4 grams per day and these extra doses are
often the best way to cleanse the colon for a day or two and arrest a
failing immune system and preventing Flu from early onset. The
common experience is that when Vitamin C is reduced, bowels normally
firm up within 24 hours.
Myth
2
The myth that bio-synthesized Vitamin C can damage your immune system can only be
deduced from the following phenomena which indicates it is actually good
for you, not bad. If you take a good dose of Vitamin C daily you
should drive your immune system to work harder, however if you suddenly
stop you may get a rebound deficiency quicker than if you tried to rely
on diet alone. So your immune system may stall for a few days,
making you slightly and temporarily more susceptible to infection.
However, resume supplementing with Vitamin C and recovery time from
infection normally improves significantly. Nutrients are essential
to maintain optimum health - no oxygen means death in minutes, no water
or potassium would mean death usually within days. Deficiency of
Vitamin C means breaking down of all systems of the body and faster
aging.
Myth
3
'Vitamin C is a major cause of kidney stones' - how can this be true? Ascorbic Acid helps
reduce the build up of oxalic acid in the system often attributed to
kidney stones. Low Calcium and Vitamin C intakes are higher risks
for kidney stones, as bone Calcium is often precipitated out of the
system via the kidneys. Those using Vitamin C supplementation
generally maintain stronger and higher integrity of their kidney
tubules.
'Vitamin C causes thickening of the arteries in cardiovascular risk patients'. This
may be true, but not a bad thing as these patients often have an age
related thinning of their artery walls which also may become engorged
with plaque. Vitamin C helps to restore tone and flexibility of
arteries and thus reduces thinning of arteries. Plaque on arteries
is not what always causes stroke. Plaque may be often a breeding
ground for bacteria and parasites which can create plaque related clots
that are more likely to break away and block an artery or vessel causing
stroke. Vitamin C helps the Immune System fight bacteria and
pathogens, reducing the risk of stroke.
A doctor could be found negligent if you had scurvy and he didn't recommend a diet rich in
Vitamin C. But many physicians miss the sub-clinical deficiencies
in our stressed population battling the host of modern industrialized
toxins, on a diet of stored and prepared foods with insufficient Vitamin
C to maintain optimal health. Remember not all Vitamin C
supplements are active. A powder of Vitamin C with Hesperidin and
Minerals like calcium, magnesium and zinc (the minerals assist as an
unbound acid buffer) is the best combination, giving good efficacy and
results. Chewable Ascorbic Acid tablets can injure teeth and
capsules of Vitamin C are beneficial but much more expensive.
There have been epidemiological studies conducted en masse that give testament to the
benefits of supplementation of Vitamin C. China is now one of the
world's largest producers of Ascorbic Acid and Hesperidin and the
Chinese people are considerably one of the largest group of consumers.
This has not come about because a large company wanted to create Vitamin
C sales. This has come mostly from the knowledge and experience of
the government and the consumers in this country, trying to maintain
health in the face of heavy pollution and rising stress levels compared
to the west. The Chinese people maintain a closer affinity with
traditional herbal medicines and are able to sustain lower overall
medical costs per capita due to a greater awareness amongst its people
of preventing diseases with acupuncture, herbs, vitamins and minerals.
Our need for Vitamin C, Hesperidin and Minerals increases as we age.
The skin ages as it loses flexibility due to cross linking of elastin
from free radical damage and loss of collagen production from vitamin C,
flavanoid, mineral and protein deficiencies. We should not be
concerned with taking too much Vitamin C (it is water soluble and
readily excreted with no residue) but taking too little. Taking
supplements of Vitamin C with Hesperidin & Minerals in water or
juice consumed a few times daily is a tasty way to enjoy good health and
prevent illness and premature aging.
Author's Note
The above information has been compiled from my years of study and experience and the comments
reflect my personal views and opinions which are my right to express.
This information is not advice to substitute the recommendations of your
health care practitioner. If you feel there is merit in my
submission to you on this please feel free to discuss it with your
practitioner and friends as the sole purpose of writing this document is
to widen public debate and awareness.
Please feel free to send correspondence to:
PO Box 366
STRATHPINE Qld
Australia 4500
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