Alternative Health Blog

You might say the “C” in vitamin C stands for “controversy.” And you might be right. To wit, a major new study showed that mega-doses of vitamin C reduces growth of aggressive tumors in lab mice, as reported the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Brain, ovarian and pancreatic cancers—some of the nastiest cancers—were all studied.

In contrast, another recent study determined that large doses of vitamin C doses during chemotherapy can potentially blunt the action of the cancer drugs. Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York determined that timing of vitamin C doses (in the hours right before or after chemotherapy) can be most counterproductive.

While both studies were published in 2008, the concept of vitamin C as a cancer therapy has existed since the 1970s. Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel Prize winner, was a major proponent of larger daily C doses (5,000 milligrams and up) to protect against cancer and other conditions. Pauling championed vitamin C as a way to protect against the common cold; research since then has been mixed but makes a good case for C reducing the length of a cold and severity of symptoms.

Italian researchers published a 2008 study showing that vitamin C may help decrease high blood pressure by neutralizing an overactive central nervous system—especially among individuals who otherwise don’t respond to medical intervention.

What’s more, a British study suggested that regular C doses can significantly cut down on risk for stroke. It becomes hard to dispute that preventive doses of C might hold off any number of conditions that affect us as we grow older. Best of all, vitamin C supplements are inexpensive and accessible to the bloodstream.

It’s anecdotal but we all know someone who insists that taking 500 to 1,000 milligrams every hour when s/he feels a cold coming on acts to reduce the intensity of the cold. It’s possible drinking the fluids that come with taking the vitamin C help as much as the ascorbic acid in the vitamin, or that the placebo effect is in full bloom. But it is hard to dispute that co-worker or family member who seems to always avert major colds with all the requisite sneezing and coughing.

Scientists at Indiana University have produced some intriguing results from their vitamin C investigations. Along with preventing the aforementioned conditions (protecting against heart disease and anemia are others), the IU researchers have found that vitamin C is vital to producing collagen in the body. Collagen is a protein that binds cells together and is critical to connective tissue in our skin, teeth, bones, organs and even the cartilage in our joints. Collagen is widely regarded as the reason why someone’s skin looks so youthful and less wrinkled.

If you are convinced, start with 500 milligrams of vitamin C two to four times per day. Space out your intake. Too much vitamin C at one time is not absorbed by the body’s digestive and might cause stomach upset and diarrhea. You can use trial and error to see if 500 milligrams is too much at one time. Some people can tolerate 1,000 milligrams per dose, which is reasonable but researchers are far from convinced we can absorb all of the dose. You might also find that vitamin C during the morning and mid-day hours works best for your energy levels.

Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  < i>