Vitamin C – Ascorbic Acid

Summary
“Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid,
the antiscorbutic vitamin, L-xyloascorbic acid and L-threo-hex-2-uronic acidy-
lactone, is a much talked about vitamin, with people claiming it as a cure-all for
may diseases and problems - from cancer to the common cold. Yet, this miracle
vitamin cannot be manufactured by the body, and needs to be ingested.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is a very important essential nutrient, that is, we must
obtain it from diet. It is found only in the fruit and vegetable foods and is highest
in fresh, uncooked foods. Vitamin C is one of the least stable vitamins, and
cooking can destroy much of this water-soluble vitamin from foods.

In recent years, the C of this much-publicized vitamin has also stood for
controversy. With Linus Pauling and others claiming that vitamin C has the
potential to prevent and treat the common cold, flus, and cancer, all of which
plague our society, concern has arisen in the medical establishment about
these claims and the megadose requirements needed to achieve the hoped-for
results. Some studies suggest that these claims have some validity; however,
there is more personal testimony from avid users of ascorbic acid than there is
irrefutable evidence. There has also been some recent research that disproves
the claims about treatment and prevention of colds and cancer with vitamin C.
However, in most cases, studies showing vitamin C to be ineffective using lower
dosages than Dr. Pauling recommended. Overall, vitamin C research is heavily
weighted to the positive side for its use in the treatment of many conditions,
including the common cold.

C also stands for citrus, where this vitamin is found. It could also stand for
collagen, the protein "cement" that is formed with ascorbic acid as a required
cofactor. Many foods contain vitamin C, and many important functions are
mediated by it as well.

Vitamin C is required in the synthesis of collagen in connective tissue,

neurotransmitters, steroid hormones, carnitine, conversion of cholesterol to bile
acids and enhances iron bioavailability. Ascorbic acid is a great antioxidant and
helps protect the body against pollutants. Because vitamin C is a biological
reducing agent, it is also linked to prevention of degenerative diseases - such
as cataracts, certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

Ascorbic acid also promotes healthy cell development, proper calcium

absorption, normal tissue growth and repair, such as healing of wounds and
burns. It assists in the prevention of blood clotting and bruising, and
strengthening the walls of the capillaries. Vitamin C is needed for healthy gums,
to help protect against infection, and assisting with clearing up infections and is
thought to enhance the immune system and help reduce cholesterol levels, high
blood pressure and preventing arteriosclerosis.

When there is a shortage of VITAMIN C, various problems can arise, although

scurvy is the only disease clinically treated with vitamin C. However, a shortage
 of vitamin C may result in "pinpoint" hemorrhages under the skin and a
tendency to bruise easily, poor wound healing, soft and spongy bleeding gums
and loose teeth. Edema (water retention) also happens with a shortage of
vitamin C, and weakness, a lack of energy, poor digestion, painful joints and
bronchial infection and colds are also indicative of an under-supply.

Since ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, toxic levels are not built up or
stored in the body, and any excess is lost mostly through urine. If extremely
large amounts are taken gastrointestinal problems may appear, but will
normalize when the intake is cut or reduced. To determine a level where a
person might experience discomfort is difficult, since some people can easily
stomach up to 25,000 mg per day, while others start having a problem at 600 or
1,000 mg. Some people using mega dose therapy of vitamin C may have side
effects such as gastrointestinal complaints including diarrhea, nausea and
abdominal cramps. These side effects normally stop as soon as high potency
intake is reduced or stopped.

Good sources of vitamin C are green leafy vegetables, berries, citrus fruits,
guavas, tomatoes, melons, papayas, etc.

Ongoing research is looking at the clinical use of vitamin C in the prevention

and treatment of human diseases.”

[1]

“There is no scientific evidence that large amounts of vitamin C (up to 10 grams

[g]/day in adults) exert any adverse or toxic effects. “

[2]

Role in immunity
“Vitamin C affects several components of the human immune system in vitro; for
example, vitamin C has been shown to stimulate both the production (5-9) and
function (10, 11) of leukocytes (white blood cells),
especially neutrophils, lymphocytes, and phagocytes. Specific measures of
functions stimulated by vitamin C include cellular motility (10), chemotaxis (10,
11), and phagocytosis (11). Neutrophils, mononuclear phagocytes, and
lymphocytes accumulate vitamin C to high concentrations, which can protect
these cell types from oxidative damage (12-14). In response to invading
microorganisms, phagocytic leukocytes release non-specific toxins, such as
superoxide radicals, hypochlorous acid ("bleach"), and peroxynitrite;
these reactive oxygen species kill pathogens and, in the process, can damage
the leukocytes themselves (15). Vitamin C, through its antioxidant functions,
has been shown to protect leukocytes from self-inflicted oxidative damage (14).
Phagocytic leukocytes also produce and release cytokines, including
interferons, which have antiviral activity (16). Vitamin C has been shown to
increase interferon production in vitro (17). Additional studies have reported that
vitamin C enhances the chemotactic and microbial killing capacities of
 neutrophils and stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of B- and T-
lymphocytes (reviewed in 18).

It is widely thought by the general public that vitamin C boosts immune function,
yet human studies published to date are conflicting. Disparate results are likely
due to study design issues, often linked to a lack of understanding of vitamin
C pharmacokinetics and requirements (19, 20).

Finally, vitamin C increases the bioavailability of iron from foods by enhancing

intestinal absorption of non-heme iron (see the article on Iron) (21).”

[2]

Objections to Vitamin C
“(OMNS October 12, 2010) In massive doses, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) stops a
cold within hours, stops influenza in a day or two, and stops viral pneumonia
(pain, fever, cough) in two or three days. (1) It is a highly effective antihistamine,
antiviral and antitoxin. It reduces inflammation and lowers fever. Administered
intravenously, ascorbate kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. Many
people therefore wonder, in the face of statements like these, why the medical
professions have not embraced vitamin C therapy with open and grateful arms.

Probably the main roadblock to widespread examination and utilization of this

all-too-simple technology is the equally widespread belief that there must be
unknown dangers to tens of thousands of milligrams of ascorbic acid. Yet, since
the time megascorbate therapy was introduced in the late 1940's by Fred R.
Klenner, M.D. (2), there has been an especially safe, and extremely effective
track record to follow.

Still, for some, questions remain. Here is a sample of what readers have asked
OMNS about vitamin C:

Is 2,000 mg/day of vitamin C a megadose?

No. Decades ago, Linus Pauling and Irwin Stone showed that most animals
make at least that much (or more) per human body weight per day. (3,4)

Then why has the government set the "Tolerable Upper Limit" for vitamin
C at 2,000 mg/day?
Perhaps the reason is ignorance. According to nationwide data compiled by the
American Association of Poison Control Centers, vitamin C (and the use of any
other dietary supplement) does not kill anyone. (5)

Does vitamin C damage DNA?

No. If vitamin C harmed DNA, why do most animals make (not eat, but make)
between 2,000 and 10,000 milligrams of vitamin C per human equivalent body
weight per day? Evolution would never so favor anything that harms vital
genetic material. White blood cells and male reproductive fluids contain
unusually high quantities of ascorbate. Living, reproducing systems love vitamin
C.
 Does vitamin C cause low blood sugar, B-12 deficiency, birth defects, or
infertility?
Vitamin C does not cause birth defects, nor infertility, nor miscarriage. "Harmful
effects have been mistakenly attributed to vitamin C, including hypoglycemia,
rebound scurvy, infertility, mutagenesis, and destruction of vitamin B-12. Health
professionals should recognize that vitamin C does not produce these effects."
(6)

Does vitamin C . . .
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 14 day trial of 3,000 mg per day
of vitamin C reported greater frequency of sexual intercourse. The vitamin C
group (but not the placebo group) also experienced a quantifiable decrease in
depression. This is probably due to the fact that vitamin C "modulates
catecholaminergic activity, decreases stress reactivity, approach anxiety and
prolactin release, improves vascular function, and increases oxytocin release.
These processes are relevant to sexual behavior and mood." “

[3]

Dosages
“A Therapeutic Level of Vitamin C Supplementation as Employed by F .R.
Klenner, M.D. (from "The Significance of High Daily Intake of Ascorbic Acid in
Preventive Medicine," p. 51-59, Physician's Handbook on Orthomolecular
Medicine, Third Edition, Roger Williams, PhD, ed.)

A Working Summation of Dr. Klenner's Formula:

350 mg Vitamin C per kg body weight per day (350 mg./kg./day)

These quantities may seem high; Klenner actually used as much as four times
as much, typically by injection.  These are moderate oral doses. You may also
give twice as many doses, with half as much "C" per dose.  Injections of C may
be arranged with your physician.

Vitamin C may be given as liquid, powder, tablet or chewable tablet.  Infants

often prefer finely powdered, naturally sweetened chewable tablets, which may
 be crushed between two spoons. You may make your own liquid vitamin C by
daily dissolving C powder in a small (1 ounce) dropper bottle and adding a
sweetener if necessary.  Dr. Klenner of course recommended daily preventive
doses, which might be about 1/6 of the above therapeutic amount, divided 3
times daily.”

[4]

Vitamin C and COVID-19

Official statement from China for recommended treatment of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) is
ascorbic acid.
[5]

“Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has antioxidant properties. When

sepsis happens, the cytokine surge caused by sepsis is activated, and
neutrophils in the lungs accumulate in the lungs, destroying alveolar capillaries.
Early clinical studies have shown that vitamin C can effectively prevent this
process. In addition, vitamin C can help to eliminate alveolar fluid by preventing
the activation and accumulation of neutrophils, and reducing alveolar epithelial
water channel damage. At the same time, vitamin C can prevent the formation
of neutrophil extracellular traps, which is a biological event of vascular injury
caused by neutrophil activation.”

[6]

Successful High-Dose Vitamin C Treatment of Patients with Serious and Critical COVID-19
Infection
“Dr. Mao stated that his group treated ~50 cases of moderate to severe cases
of Covid-19 infection with high dose IVC. The IVC dosing was in the range of
10,000 mg - 20,000 mg a day for 7-10 days, with 10,000 mg for moderate
cases and 20,000 for more severe cases, determined by pulmonary status
(mostly the oxygenation index) and coagulation status. All patients who
received IVC improved and there was no mortality. Compared to the
average of a 30-day hospital stay for all Covid-19 patients, those patients who
received high dose IVC had a hospital stay about 3-5 days shorter than the
overall patients. Dr. Mao discussed one severe case in particular who was
deteriorating rapidly. He gave a bolus of 50,000 mg IVC over a period of 4
hours. The patient's pulmonary (oxygenation index) status stabilized and
improved as the critical care team watched in real time. There were no side
effects reported from any of the cases treated with high dose IVC.”

[7]

Vitamin C and COVID-19 Coronavirus by Damien Downing, MBBS, MRSB and Gert
Schuitemaker, PhD
[8]
References
[1](http://orthomolecular.org/nutrients/c.html)
[2](https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-C)
[3](http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v06n24.shtml)
[4](http://www.doctoryourself.com/klenner_table.html)
[5](https://www.worldhealth.net/news/official-statement-china-recommended-treatment-
covid-19/)
[6](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04264533)
[7](http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n18.shtml)
[8](http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n14.shtml)

Additional References and Reading

(1) Cathcart RF. Vitamin C, titration to bowel tolerance, anascorbemia, and acute induced scurvy." Medical
Hypothesis 7:1359-1376, 1981. http://www.doctoryourself.com/titration.html

See
also: http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v05n09.shtml and http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v
05n11.shtml

(2) Saul AW. Hidden in plain sight: the pioneering work of Frederick Robert Klenner, M.D. J Orthomolecular
Med, 2007. Vol 22, No 1, p 31-
38. http://www.doctoryourself.com/klennerbio.html and http://orthomolecular.org/hof/2005/fklenner.html

Dr. F.R. Klenner's Clinical Guide to the Use of Vitamin C is posted in its entirety
at http://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/198x/smith-lh-clinical_guide_1988.htm

(3) Pauling L. How to Live Longer and Feel Better. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press, 2006.
Reviewed at http://www.doctoryourself.com/livelonger.html . Linus Pauling's complete vitamin and nutrition
bibliography is posted at http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_pauling_ortho.html

(4) The complete text of Irwin Stone's book The Healing Factor is posted for free reading
at http://vitamincfoundation.org/stone/

(5) http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v06n04.shtml

(6) Levine M et al. JAMA, April 21, 1999. Vol 281, No 15, p 1419.

(7) High-dose ascorbic acid increases intercourse frequency and improves mood: a randomized controlled
clinical trial. Brody S. Biol Psychiatry 2002 Aug 15; 52(4):371-4.

(8) McCormick WJ. Lithogenesis and hypovitaminosis. Medical Record, 1946. 159:7, July, p 410-413.

(9) Cheraskin E, Ringsdorf, Jr. M and Sisley E. The Vitamin C Connection: Getting Well and Staying Well
with Vitamin C. New York: Harper and Row, 1983. Also paperback, 1984: New York, Bantam Books. "Vitamin
C in the urine tends to bind calcium and decrease its free form. This means less chance of calcium's
separating out as calcium oxalate (stones)." [page 213] See also: Ringsdorf WM Jr, Cheraskin E. Nutritional
aspects of urolithiasis. South Med J. 1981 Jan;74(1):41-3, 46.

(10) Gerster H. No contribution of ascorbic acid to renal calcium oxalate stones. Ann Nutr Metab.
1997;41(5):269-82. See also: http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v01n07.shtml

(11) Mayland CR, Bennett MI, Allan K. Vitamin C deficiency in cancer patients. Palliat Med. 2005
Jan;19(1):17-20. See
also: http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v01n09.shtml and http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v
04n19.shtml

(12) Free full text paper at http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/99/25/3234

See also: http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v06n20.shtml
and http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v01n02.shtml

(13) Duffy SJ, Gokce N, Holbrook M, Huang A, Frei B, Keaney JF Jr, Vita JA. Treatment of hypertension with
ascorbic acid. Lancet. 1999 Dec 11;354(9195):2048-9.

(14) http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v06n08.shtml

(15)http://www.doctoryourself.com/titration.html