Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

[wattsup]

Vitamin C "The Miracle Vitamin - Your weapon against the medical establishment "

Was on GLP and, found this post by a Dr who talks about the proper way of administrating vitamin C and on page 3 of the thread, she tells us how to do it.

Might be of interest to some people here.

Article can be found here:
_www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message1579672/pg1 [moderator note: please do not leave active links to known disinformation forums]

Here is the intro Found on GLP of the subject:

Or...What you need to know if you find yourself on Death's doorstep.

The story of Allan Smith is a powerful example of why blindly following the advice of the medical profession can be fatal. As you can see in this video, numerous specialists had declared the 56-year old New Zealander beyond hope. Struck with a bad case of the swine flu, doctors put Mr. Smith on life support. After 9 weeks in an induced coma, they said he should be allowed to die.

Allan Smith's sons, all farmers themselves, insisted the hospital try intravenous vitamin C. The specialists refused, saying it wouldn't help. The family eventually brought in a lawyer to get their dying loved one on a vitamin C drip. Smith's infection immediately began to clear. He was taken off life support and brought out of the coma. He eventually walked out of the hospital (10 weeks earlier than rehab expected).

Cured. With nothing more than vitamin C.

 

[dantem]

FYI I've finally made an order of the 'Now' brand of Vit C. crystals (powder), and found it far more effective than the one I kept purchasing locally, for lack of cc funds. It's almost like I've never used Vit C. before, trying only surrogate ascorbic acid! The effects have been.. very effective :)

Just to tell ya that whenever you find a brand of Vit. C not delivering any 'change' on you, as discussed on the forum, you'd better change brand soon.

I've mentioned that brand by chance here, I'm sure there are others of equal or better quality around.
May a moderator zap me if that's considered an unfair ads :/

 

[thinker]

We started taking about 5 grams of ascorbic acid powder (flat tee spoon) in the mornings by mixing it with water. It helps with the hard stools that we started getting after letting go of potatoes and oats, so that's great. The mix is very sour (err acidic) though. Do you mix anything else into the water to make it better tasting?

 

[anart]

We started taking about 5 grams of ascorbic acid powder (flat tee spoon) in the mornings by mixing it with water. It helps with the hard stools that we started getting after letting go of potatoes and oats, so that's great. The mix is very sour (err acidic) though. Do you mix anything else into the water to make it better tasting?

I mix in a little stevia - makes a nice tasty drink!

 

[clearmiddle]

Buffered vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) does not taste as sour to me. You might have to use more of it to have the same effect, though.

 

[Don Genaro]

So I've just realized that a lot (if not most) Vitamin C is made from glucose (corn). Does that mean that it's potentially "unhealthy"?

_http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-c-000339.htm

Precautions:

Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

Vitamin C supplements have a diuretic effect, so drink plenty of fluids when taking them.

Most commercial vitamin C is made from corn. People sensitive to corn should look for alternative sources, such as sago palm.

 

[theos]

So I've just realized that a lot (if not most) Vitamin C is made from glucose (corn). Does that mean that it's potentially "unhealthy"?

_http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-c-000339.htm

Precautions:

Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

Vitamin C supplements have a diuretic effect, so drink plenty of fluids when taking them.

Most commercial vitamin C is made from corn. People sensitive to corn should look for alternative sources, such as sago palm.

Yes. I does seem as if it would be unhealthy. Thanks for sharing this. I found the following website and it seems that Vitamin C is not the only supplement made with corn derivatives. _http://www.livecornfree.com/2010/04/ingredients-derived-from-corn-what-to.html

Let’s review the usual suspects:

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

Baking Powder (corn starch)
Brown Sugar – look for use of Caramel color. Domino’s Brown sugar no longer uses Caramel color
Calcium Citrate - the calcium salt of citric acid. See Citrate below for details.

Caramel – coloring used in soft drinks, derived from corn “or cane sugar.” The “or” in Coca-Cola's explanation refers to a temporary change to make the ingredients Kosher for Passover. The rest of the year, it is from corn.

Cellulose, Vegetable, Powered, etc.
Citrate - can refer either to the conjugate base of citric acid, or to the esters of citric acid. An example of the former, a salt is trisodium citrate; an ester is triethyl citrate. Forms of Citrate include: Calcium Citrate, Magnesium Citrate, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, and more.

Citric Acid - the source sugar is corn steep liquor along with hydrolyzed corn starch

Corn

Corn Meal – items baked sitting on Corn Meal such as Bagels, Breads or Pizza, may not list Corn Meal as an ingredient

Corn Starch – in most over the counter medicines that come in a dry pill form. Yes, this includes Benedryl too. Watch for Corn Syrup in the liquid forms.

Corn Syrup
Decyl Glucoside - used in personal care products such as shampoo. It is produced by the reaction of glucose from corn starch with the fatty alcohol decanol which is derived from coconut.

Dextrin, Maltodextrin – thickening agents found in sauces (check those frozen veggies!) salad dressings, and ice cream

Dextrose (glucose) – corn sugar, found in cookies, ice cream, and paired with glucose in hospital IVs unless specified not to! Can also be used as a carrier with anesthetic shots such as Lidocaine and Novocaine! Dextrose is also injected into meat, lunch meats and deli cuts. Be weary of “honey baked” items, the sweet flavor may not be from honey.
Ethanol - made by fermenting sugars produced from corn starch.
Ferrous Gluconate - i.e. as found in canned olives, and comes from corn or potato acid.

Flavoring - Artificial or "Natural Flavors" - as defined by the FDA regulations of labeling of spices, flavorings, and colorings.
Golden Syrup - Sometimes recommended as an alternate to Corn Syrup, but it may contain Corn Syrup as well.

Honey - May contain corn syrup, as HFCS is sometimes fed to bees, resulting in corn in the honey produced.

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP)
Iodized Salt – Morton’s FAQ explains why they add Dextrose (corn) to their salt.
Lactic Acid - Commercially, lactic acid can be made synthetically from chemicals or organically as a byproduct of corn fermentation.
Lauryl Glucoside - is a surfactant used in cosmetics. It is a glycoside produced from glucose and lauryl alcohol.
Magnesium Citrate - Magnesium salt of citric acid.

Magnesium Stearate
Malic Acid

Malt

Malt Flavoring

Maltitol - (also known as Maltisorb and Maltisweet) Commercially, maltitol is a disaccharide produced by Corn Products Specialty Ingredients (formerly SPI Polyols), Cargill, Roquette, and Towa, among other companies. Maltitol is made by hydrogenation of maltose obtained from starch.

Maltodextrin
Maltose

Mannitol - A naturally occurring alcohol that is often combined with corn derived sugars. Here is the link on USDA's website explaining this practice.
Methyl Gluceth - an emollient used in cosmetics manufactured from corn sugar and corn starch.

Modified Food Starch
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - The MSGMyth site explains MSG is made from corn.
Polydextrose - is synthesized from dextrose, and contains sorbitol and citric acid. It is a food ingredient classified as soluble fiber and is frequently used to increase the non-dietary fiber content of food, replace sugar, reduce calories and reduce fat content. Note: Dextrose, Sorbitol, and Citric Acid are all on this list of ingredients derived from corn.
Polylactic Acid (PLA) - Plastic made from corn starch (U.S.) or sugarcane.

Polysorbates (i.e. Polysorbate 80) - Polysorbates are oily liquids derived from PEG-ylated sorbitan (a derivative of sorbitol) esterified with fatty acids.
Potassium Citrate - See Citrate above for details.
Powdered Sugar - contains corn starch

Saccharin – in powder form IS Sweet’N Low and therefore contains Dextrose.
Sodium Citrate - See Citrate above for details.
Sodium Erythorbate - is produced from sugars derived from sources such as beets, sugar cane and corn. It is a food additive used predominantly in meats, poultry, and soft drinks.
Sodium Starch Glycolate - is the sodium salt of a carboxymethyl ether of starch. It can be derived from any starch source (rice, corn, potatoes, etc).
Sorbitan - is a mixture of chemical compounds derived from the dehydration of sorbitol.

Sorbitan Monostearate - an ester of sorbitol and stearic acid. You will see this ingredient used in Yeast (and possibly other places as well).

Sorbitol – You will find Sorbitol in Sugar Free items such as candy, chewing gum, cosmetics, mouth wash, and toothpaste
Starch – often this is corn starch unless it specifies something else, like potato starch
Sucralose - Sucralose by itself may be corn free, though it is likely one best to avoid. Repackaged as the brand Splenda, it will contain dextrose and/or maltodextrin.

Sweet’N Low – contains Dextrose, and according to Sweet’N Low, ALL sugar substitutes in powder form contain Dextrose.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Vanilla Extract – most brands will have corn syrup, though you can find organic brands that do not, though the alcohol may be corn-derived.
Vinegar, Distilled White - can be made from any sugar, but the most common method is to use corn that has been converted from starch into sugar.
Vitamins - Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and Vitamin E (Tocopherols). Use caution with products that are "enriched" with added vitamins. The vitamins may be corn-derived, or corn-derivatives may be used in the binding (if solid) or suspension (if liquid) of the vitamin compound.

Xanthan Gum - a food additive that is used as a thickening agent. It is found in sauces, spices, and commonly in Gluten Free foods. Xanthan Gum is most often grown on corn, or corn sugars. If an item includes Xanthan Gum and states it is corn-free, call the manufacturing company and inquire as to the source of Xanthan Gum to be sure.
Xylitol - You will find Xylitol in Sugar Free items such as candy, chewing gum, cosmetics, mouth wash, and toothpaste

Zein – used in time-release medications, derived from Maize

Here is one site that sells corn-free VitC: _http://www.autismcoach.com/Vitamin%20C%20-%20Corn-Free.htm

99% of the Vitamin C used commercially in supplements in the U.S. is derived from genetically engineered corn (Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt Corn) and comes from manufacturing plants in China, where the quality of raw materials produced for supplements tends to be less than optimal, often with significant amounts of residual toxic solvents in the Vitamin C that are by-products of the manufacturing process used to extract the Vitamin C from the corn. For more information on the dangers of Bt Corn and other genetically modified foods, please click here.

Anecdotally, alternative doctors specializing in the treatment of cancer with high doses of Vitamin C orally or in IV drips, indicate that BT form is ineffective in treatment against cancer, that only the tapioca or beet forms of Vitamin C provide therapeutic benefit.

 

[clearmiddle]

Deep Nutrition mentions something about "plain" vitamin C not being as effective. I will have to look it up later.

The question is not so much what something was made from, but whether the "something" (or worse) is still in it after processing, in trace amounts or larger quantities. More information is needed.

Pharmaceutical grade supplements should generally not present this kind of problem, one would think, but I really don't know, and I do wonder about all those cellulose capsule casings. If you buy the lowest-cost form of vitamin C or other supplements that you can find, look out!

 

[ocean59]

Let’s review the usual suspects:

Citrate - can refer either to the conjugate base of citric acid, or to the esters of citric acid. An example of the former, a salt is trisodium citrate; an ester is triethyl citrate. Forms of Citrate include: Calcium Citrate, Magnesium Citrate, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, and more.

I'm confused, they are saying all the citrate forms of supplements are made from corn? Aren't those often the more effective versions?

 

[1984]

I read recently that 80% of the world's ascorbic acid is now produced in China. I buy from this website (non-GMO, manufactured in Europe and corn-free): vitamincfoundation.org/powder.shtml

 

[Kaigen]

:) Thanks for the Link 1984.
I need Vit. C now specially for the Winter time here.

 

[Nienna]

I read recently that 80% of the world's ascorbic acid is now produced in China. I buy from this website (non-GMO, manufactured in Europe and corn-free): vitamincfoundation.org/powder.shtml

I recently started using this one, thank you 1984. :) I find that it is not as "harsh" tasting and mixes up nicely in the water than the other one I was using.

 

[Rabelais]

I read recently that 80% of the world's ascorbic acid is now produced in China. I buy from this website (non-GMO, manufactured in Europe and corn-free): vitamincfoundation.org/powder.shtml

When I was employed at the Alacer Corp., we went through tons of ascorbic acid per year. It was all sourced from one of the most modern extraction plants in the world, in Shanghai. Our buyers visited it often and were stunned at the latest technology processes and equipment that they used, the overkill quality control measures in place... and the impeccable spotlessness of the facility... not to mention their very competitive pricing.

China officially bans GM agriculture. They allegedly do not allow GM to be grown in the country. I am not so sure about what they allow for import. They are still net importers of grains. Just because an ascorbic acid is from Europe and does not come from corn does not assure that it was not derived from a GM plant source. GMOs have been sneaking into Europe, especially eastern Europe, for some time and the next commercial source of sugar would likely be sugar beets, which are a notoriously widespread GM organism.

A good question for the Cs might be: what, if any, GM attributes remain in ascorbic acid extracted from GM plant sugar? It is possible that this is a non-issue, but I don't know.

I did just switch brands of vitamin E when re-ordering today. I discovered that the Carlson E-Gems, which I have been taking, are derived from soy and rice. I want nothing from soy, GM or not.

 

[1984]

China officially bans GM agriculture. They allegedly do not allow GM to be grown in the country.

It may not be prudent to assume anything is non-GMO these days. For example, here is an article from Feb 2008 discussing China's GM food issues: China's Genetically Altered Food Boom.

Faced with feeding every fifth person on the planet with less than one-tenth of the world's farmland, Beijing has been pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into transgenic crop research and development.[...]Most of China's cotton is already transgenic, and rice, wheat, maize, soybeans and livestock are in the pipeline.

China Perspectives reveals information re: their GM rice:

Rice being the most important crop in China, in 1997 China’s researchers began using AC/DS transposons and T-DNA insertion methods to create rice mutagenesis pools. And in 2001, the China Academy of Sciences initiated a major research programme to develop rice varieties that include Bt and CpTI genes, which are resistant to the stem borer (Chilo suprasselis), and Xa21 genes which are resistant to plant-hopper (Nilaparvata lugens) and bacterial leaf blight. At present, the herbicide-resistant rice (barsta—transgenic bacterial-blight-resistant rice) developed by China has passed the environment safety evaluation release stage and is ready for production testing, and is at the stage of field experimentation.

From Dec 2010 - China mulls GMO food law, grain law ready in 2011

Last year the Ministry of Agriculture's biosafety committee gave the first safety approval for GMO strains of rice and corn, paving the way for a large scale commercial production of those GMO strains within 2-3 years.

As always, the devil is in the details.

 

[dantem]

Doctor's Best Vit C. is told to be made in Scotland and I've once read a leaflet that said they avoided GMO crops. Can't remember if this brand's Vit C was also from plants/trees instead of corn at all.

You can have a look at iherb brands list.