Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Megan said:
NutriBiotic sodium ascorbate is what I take, although in a fairly small dose. I have a risk of cancer recurrence and it is one of a number of precautions that I take. Here in the forum we have also discussed the possibility that uric acid may play a role similar to vitamin C for people on a ketogenic diet, and I have a sense (for myself, anyway) that large doses of vitamin C may not be necessary, let alone safe.

I use pure ascorbic acid and have for years now, and I take 10-15 grams a day - small portions dissolved in water with stevia to sweeten it, which is my preferred drink I sip on all day. I love the stuff and from the times I've had to go without it for one reason or another, it's quite obvious that drinking it energizes me.
 
anart said:
Megan said:
NutriBiotic sodium ascorbate is what I take, although in a fairly small dose. I have a risk of cancer recurrence and it is one of a number of precautions that I take. Here in the forum we have also discussed the possibility that uric acid may play a role similar to vitamin C for people on a ketogenic diet, and I have a sense (for myself, anyway) that large doses of vitamin C may not be necessary, let alone safe.

I use pure ascorbic acid and have for years now, and I take 10-15 grams a day - small portions dissolved in water with stevia to sweeten it, which is my preferred drink I sip on all day. I love the stuff and from the times I've had to go without it for one reason or another, it's quite obvious that drinking it energizes me.

I'm the same way. I burn through bottles of that stuff really quick, though I did find 1 pound containers on Amazon for really cheap (15 dollars with free shipping). I've tried taking Vitamin C from calcium ascorbate but didn't notice the same effect that the pure ascorbic acid had on energy levels and cleansing the body.
 
Hesper said:
I'm the same way. I burn through bottles of that stuff really quick, though I did find 1 pound containers on Amazon for really cheap (15 dollars with free shipping). I've tried taking Vitamin C from calcium ascorbate but didn't notice the same effect that the pure ascorbic acid had on energy levels and cleansing the body.

I think from what I have seen here in the forum that there must be a lot of variation in individual response. I sometimes have gut problems if I take straight ascorbic acid in any significant amount, and yet I can take large amounts of sodium ascorbate without any apparent effect. It may be related to my specific issues, which I am still (and always) researching.
 
I just wanted to say, that after reading some studies about the bioavailabilities of ascorbic acid, this thread (again), and the whole article that has been quoted here earlier (_http://vitamincfoundation.org/NaturalC.pdf) it seems to me like Gedgaudas is to some degree misguided on this one. You don't have to use a 'natural vitamin C complex' with bioflavonoids, ascorbic acid is as good and even better. Maybe she's been influenced (ponerized) by the 'naturalists'?
 
I don't think she is being ponerized. What I am picking up from a variety of sources is that there is a significant difference of opinion about this matter in the paleo/primal community. Personally, I think she may be on the right track but if so, it's not clear that anything that comes in a bottle would be fully up to the task of replacing vitamin C missing from food. I am in "wait and see" mode right now.
 
Probably this is a question to people from Germany. Did anyone of You used "das gesunde vitamin C pulver" ?
Here is the link:
http://www.dm.de/cms/servlet/segment/de_homepage/dasgesundeplus_home/dgp_produkte/dgp_produkte_pharma/dgp_produkte_pharma_vitamine_mineralstoffe_spurenelemente/37026/dgp_vitamin_c_pulver.html#

I do not know this manufacturer and my German language is very basic to comprehend info on the page there. Have anyone of You used vit C from this source? If yes what is Your experience.

I think I have bad program for shopping. If I do not know something I am prone to buy more expensive stuff. I feel myself better when I pay more. That is like being convinced of buying more quality which is not necessarily true. And that one is relatively cheap.

I do not want to pay unnecessarily too much but I am afraid that it might be something bad.

Could You help me?
 
This powder, "The healthy Vitamin C Powder" is supposed to be gluten and lactose free, also for vegans. But I'm sure you already understood that much anyway. It's from a chainstore you can find anywhere and everywhere in Germany (dm), selling anything from toilet paper, shampoo, detergents, cosmetics, vitamins, etc and they are often good value for money. It's made from pure L-ascorbic acid. It is recommended that 120 g should be dissolved in water, juice or tea, but should not replace a balanced diet. One customer writes that you wouldn't be able to buy this quality at any drugstore (I think that this is the US equivalent of chemist's) so cheaply, he's the only one who has recommended it). Whether it's true or not, I don't know.
 
This discussion was in the Vegetarian Myth, but is worth having it here as a reference as well. The need for Vitamin C drops significantly in a low carb diet, not only because you are not having as much sugar (if any at all), but also because...

whitecoast said:
Laura said:
maiaxo said:
Thank you, hope my english was okay and I will hush up now till have thoroughly gone through everything :)

You might also want to read this: http://www.sott.net/articles/show/235204-Eating-Plants-May-Change-Our-Cells and hundreds (thousands?) of other articles and studies archived on sott.net (and here in the forum), and ask yourself the question: do you really want to be a plant?

You mean like the green sea slug? :lol: _http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/green-sea-slug/

This LiveScience article is really thought-provoking. It makes me consider the inverse of the implications as well: perhaps some herbivores and omnivores have adapted evolutionarily to having basal levels of particular microRNAs from traditional plants they consume, and may come to depend on them for genomic stability in the way that we depend on vitamins from plants. (Think of apes that mutated and lost the ability to produce vitamin C - they ate fruit that was loaded with vitamin C so the broken gene was passed on as selectively neutral and spread to other species, like humans; now we require Vitamin C for optimal functioning). It's possible the green sea slug may have a similar system of depending on some RNA from the algae it consumes, given that it may not have genetically assimilated all the genes from the algae required for optimal functioning: only those bare essentials. :cool2:

Perhaps removing those particular plant staples has an effect on the gene regulation of the animals as well (and not just the adding of plant staples foreign to the nature of the animal), such as cows that have been removed from the prairies and placed in factory farms to eat corn instead of grass. The possibilities are tantalizing.

SeekinTruth said:
whitecoast said:
It makes me consider the inverse of the implications as well: perhaps some herbivores and omnivores have adapted evolutionarily to having basal levels of particular microRNAs from traditional plants they consume, and may come to depend on them for genomic stability in the way that we depend on vitamins from plants. (Think of apes that mutated and lost the ability to produce vitamin C - they ate fruit that was loaded with vitamin C so the broken gene was passed on as selectively neutral and spread to other species, like humans; now we require Vitamin C for optimal functioning). It's possible the green sea slug may have a similar system of depending on some RNA from the algae it consumes, given that it may not have genetically assimilated all the genes from the algae required for optimal functioning: only those bare essentials. :cool2:

Perhaps removing those particular plant staples has an effect on the gene regulation of the animals as well (and not just the adding of plant staples foreign to the nature of the animal), such as cows that have been removed from the prairies and placed in factory farms to eat corn instead of grass. The possibilities are tantalizing.

By the way, I recently read in a couple of places (but for some reason, I can't recall where right now) that traditionally humans (hunter-gatherers) got their Vitamin C from eating the adrenal glands of the wild fed animals they consumed. And the daily amounts are MUCH, MUCH higher than any fruit or vegetable that's supposed to contain "high" levels of Vitamin C.

Laura said:
whitecoast said:
This LiveScience article is really thought-provoking. It makes me consider the inverse of the implications as well: perhaps some herbivores and omnivores have adapted evolutionarily to having basal levels of particular microRNAs from traditional plants they consume, and may come to depend on them for genomic stability in the way that we depend on vitamins from plants. (Think of apes that mutated and lost the ability to produce vitamin C - they ate fruit that was loaded with vitamin C so the broken gene was passed on as selectively neutral and spread to other species, like humans; now we require Vitamin C for optimal functioning).

Or such a mutation happened to those already eating meat, especially organ meats, from which you get lots more vitamin C than you ever get from fruits. In fact, you get what your body really needs from eating meats to an even greater extent than when eating veggies, including the most crucial vitamins. As several of the books we've reviewed here state: there's no such thing as an essential carbohydrate. I'll just add that it's pretty clear that telling people to eat fruits, veggies, grains to "get vitamins" is a real smokescreen.

Laura said:
Found this:
_http://www.rawpaleodietforum.com/infonews-items/vitamin-c-and-carnivorism/

Vitamin C is needed to hydroxylate the amino acids lysine and proline into hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline- connective tissue. That is why scurvy is characterized by a degeneration of connective tissue. However, unknown to most, red meat already contains hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline which is absorbed into the bloodstream when eaten. Thus, less vitamin C is needed to hydroxylate proline and lysine, because they are already present in the blood in the hydroxylated state.

However, one might ask about the role vitamin C plays in antioxidant function. Sure, a purely carnivorous diet will prevent scurvy, but will it replace the other biochemical functions of vitamin C? While those who regularly consume liver and brains do not need to concern themselves too much here, what about those carnivores who consume primarily muscle meat and eggs? Sure, they may be free from scurvy, but are there some other unseen health effects, such as excessive free radical damage from lack of vitamin C?

First of all, a ketogenic metabolism produces less free radicals than a carbohydrate-burning metabolism. Secondly, there are numerous other substances, endogenous and dietary, that act as antioxidants present on a purely carnivorous diet. But what if this is insufficient? Should meat and eggers be worried?

Fortunately, the answer no. And the answer may lie in uric acid.

Uric acid is derived from purines in meat. They are the final metabolic end-product of purine compounds. This is because the genes encoding for the production of the enzyme uricase, needed to break down uric acid, have been absent from primate DNA for millions of years.

The thing that makes ascorbate as a molecule useful is the property of being a strong electron donor. Uric acid is also a strong electron donor (1). In fact, it may even be a better electron donor than vitamin C (2). Because of this, uric acid is a powerful antioxidant, similar to vitamin C. Thus, it follows that the loss of the enzyme uricase and the consequent increase in blood levels of uric acid in primates has probably provided a substitute for ascorbate in certain biochemical functions, including antioxidant activity.

Since meat is rich in purines, uric acid is inevitably abundant in the bloodstream of someone who consumes a large amount of muscle meat and organ products. Conclusion: Even if a human carnivore does not consume vitamin C-containing animal products, a purely carnivorous diet is still sufficient to produce the biochemical functions that vitamin C is normally responsible for.


_http://askesisphilosophyandcarnivorism.blogspot.com/2007/10/uric-acid-and-vitamin-c.html (link no longer exists but is cached in Google.)

Laura said:
Another post from the same forum:

I think the point is that the end product that Vitamin C is most important for is already in meat so it's redundant and unnecessary. It's like how you can either get Vitamin A directly from meat, or you can get the precursor carotenoids in fruits and vegetables and then put it together in your body.

Interesting aside about Vitamin C:

Among the animals that have lost the ability to synthesise vitamin C are simians (specifically the suborder haplorrhini), guinea pigs, a number of species of passerine birds (but not all of them), and in apparently many major families of bats and perhaps all of them. Humans have no enzymatic capability to manufacture vitamin C. The cause of this phenomenon is that the last enzyme in the synthesis process, L-gulonolactone oxidase, cannot be made by the listed animals because the gene for this enzyme, Pseudogene ?GULO, is defective.[24] The mutation has not been lethal because vitamin C is abundant in their food sources. It has been found that species with this mutation (including humans) have adapted a vitamin C recycling mechanism to compensate.[25] (Wikipedia)

Psyche said:
Laura said:
The thing that makes ascorbate as a molecule useful is the property of being a strong electron donor. Uric acid is also a strong electron donor (1). In fact, it may even be a better electron donor than vitamin C (2). Because of this, uric acid is a powerful antioxidant, similar to vitamin C. Thus, it follows that the loss of the enzyme uricase and the consequent increase in blood levels of uric acid in primates has probably provided a substitute for ascorbate in certain biochemical functions, including antioxidant activity.

It seems to be the case:

_http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uric_acid

In humans and higher primates, uric acid is the final oxidation (breakdown) product of purine metabolism and is excreted in urine. In most other mammals, the enzyme uricase further oxidizes uric acid to allantoin.[8] The loss of uricase in higher primates parallels the similar loss of the ability to synthesize ascorbic acid, leading to the suggestion that urate may partially substitute for ascorbate in such species.[9] Both uric acid and ascorbic acid are strong reducing agents (electron donors) and potent antioxidants. In humans, over half the antioxidant capacity of blood plasma comes from uric acid.[10] The Dalmatian dog has a genetic defect in uric acid uptake by the liver and kidneys, resulting in decreased conversion to allantoin, so this breed excretes uric acid, and not allantoin, in the urine.[11]

Uric acid is created when the body breaks down purine nucleotides. Purines are found in high concentration in meat and meat products, especially internal organs such as liver and kidney.
 
Thank you for re-posting this Psyche. It is very interesting information. Potentially thought provoking in several directions.
 
Some jaw dropping reports here:

Clinical Guide to the Use of Vitamin C

The Clinical Experiences of Frederick R. Klenner, M.D., abbreviated, sumarized and annotated by Lendon H. Smith, M.D.

http://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/198x/smith-lh-clinical_guide_1988.htm

I'll quote some of the stuff that stood out for me:

In 1948, he published his first paper on the use of large doses of Vitamin C in the treatment of virus diseases. In 1960, he realized, “Every head cold must be considered as a probable source of brain pathology.” Hold on to this thought; it is significant for the understanding of diseases like multiple sclerosis. He also felt—as do Archie Kalikarinos and Glen Dettman of Australia—that the dreaded Sudden Infant Death Syndrome was basically a Vitamin C deficiency. His maxim: the patient should “get large doses of Vitamin C in all pathological conditions while the physician ponders the diagnosis."...

How does it work: as an oxidizing agent massive amounts, i.e., 5-150 grams, intravenously, for certain pathological conditions, if allowed to run in rapidly (20 gauge needle), acts as a “Flash Oxidizer” and may correct the condition in minutes. It can be a reducing agent. It neutralized toxins, viruses and histamine. The more serious the condition, the more C is required.

It appears that Vitamin C acts as a reducing agent, an oxidizing agent, an anti-clotting agent, an antihistamine, and as an anti-infective agent...

Ascorbic acid enters all cells. It “proceeds to take up the protein coats being manufactured by the virus nucleic acid, thus preventing the assembly of new virus units.” Cells expand, rupture and die, but there is no virus particles available to enter and infect new cells. If a virus has invaded a cell, the Vitamin C contributes to its breakdown to adenosine deaminase, which converts adenosine to inosine. Purines are formed which are catabolized (broken down) and cannot be used to make more virus nucleic acid....

Dr. Klenner concluded: “The degree of neutralization in a virus infection will be in proportion to the concentration of the vitamin and the length of time which it is employed.”

This has been Dr. Klenner’s main complaint: failure to benefit from Vitamin C use is usually due to inadequate amounts being used for too short a period of time.

Vitamin C combines directly with the toxin/virus. This new compound is oxidized by Vitamin C; the toxin/virus and the Vitamin C are destroyed. This must be why C has to be continued after the apparent cure...

The adrenals and Vitamin C are interrelated. During an infection Vitamin C is absent from the urine and is decreased or absent in blood, even when moderate amounts are being given intravenously. Vitamin C in the adrenal glands was greatly reduced in animals succumbing to polio. (Dr. Klenner cites the literature of 1934-35 to document this.) Hans Selye knew how the adrenals would show damage with stress. He found that all patients ill with a virus would show petechial hemorrhages (small leaks of blood into the skin) when a tourniquet was applied to increase venous backpressure. Capillary weakness is a sign of low levels of Vitamin C. Sugar in the urine, associated with the petechiæ, disappeared when adequate serum levels of Vitamin C were obtained.

It is known the C regulates the intercellular substance of the capillary wall. The collagen of all fibrous tissue structures is dependent on an adequate level of Vitamin C. Increased capillary fragility is observed in individuals when the blood level of C drops to 1 mg per liter. These weak capillary walls may allow a simple virus to invade the brain (see “Insidious Virus”)...

Vitamin C is known to be essential for life. He quotes the studies that show that when Vitamin C is given intravenously to patients with a deficiency, fibroblasts begin to form connective tissue and capillary buds invade blood clots within just a few hours. In a similar time frame when used as an antibiotic, fever falls and the white count climbs...

Klenner quotes the Food and Life Year Book, 1939, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (surely as conservative and orthodox a group as one could ever find): “Even when there is not a single outward symptom of trouble, a person may be in a state of Vitamin C deficiency more dangerous than scurvy itself. When such a condition is not detected, and continues uncorrected, the teeth and bones will be damaged, and what may be even more serious, the blood stream is weakened to the point where it can no longer resist or fight infections not so easily cured as scurvy...

The amount of C depends upon the severity of the disease but also upon the efficiency of the victim’s immune system. The usual dose of 65 mg per kilogram of body weight may be expected to take care of the usual virus infection when given every 2-4 hours by needle. The more severe condition would respond to larger single injections...

The itch, the irritability, the pain, the vomiting of chicken pox measles and mumps was assuaged in one hour with this last dose. Crusting of chicken pox was present in 5 hours instead of 7-9 days. 250 mg per kilogram eliminated the disease in contrast to the 65 mg which just suppressed it. 350 mg per kilogram may be employed along with antibiotics in treating stubborn bacterial infections. Because a virus infection will deplete the Vitamin C reserve, bleeding from the nose or chest would indicate an emergency situation; Vitamin C, using the above noted dosage schedule, should be pumped in immediately...

For a very severe illness, the dose he used was large and the most effective route was intravenous, but the intramuscular route was satisfactory. He gave at least 350 mg per kilogram of body weight. (A 70 kg man is 150 pounds; thus 70 x 350= 24,500 mg. He would use a 25 gram dose for a 25 gram illness.) This amount was put in 500 cc of sterile water, usually with dextrose, saline or Ringer’s solution. It was diluted so that there was at least 18 cc of diluent to each gram of C. In small children, 2 or 3 grams can be given intramuscularly once every two hours. An ice cap to the buttocks will prevent soreness and induration. As much as 12 grams can be given in this manner into 2 or 3 different muscle sites with a 50 cc syringe; larger amounts must be diluted with dextrose or saline and run in by I.V. drip. If big concentrated doses are given by push (25 grams in a 100 cc syringe), the brain may become dehydrated causing convulsive movements of the legs. Intramuscular injections are always 500 mg to 1 cc solution. At least one gram of calcium gluconate must be added to the fluids each day. Massive doses of C pull calcium ions from platelets; and the clotting mechanism is weakened. Nosebleeds may occur. One gram of calcium gluconate is added to control acidity and to replace the calcium ion loss.

Sodium ascorbate is less painful. Some of us will put procaine, 2%, with the Vitamin C when injected into the muscle. Vitamin C can also be taken orally once the patient is recovering.

This dose is repeated every hour for 6 to 12 times and then every 2-4 hours until recovery.

If using under 400 mg per kg body weight, it can be given with the sodium salt. Doses over 400 mg per kg of body weight must be diluted to at least one gram to 18 cc of solution.

He suggests the following for each bottle: 60 grams of C, 500 mg thiamin HCl, 300 mg pyridoxine, 400 mg calcium pantothenate, 100 mg riboflavin, 300 mg niacinamide. It is to be given once or twice daily.

He used a 23 gauge needle intravenously and a 22 gauge needle for intramuscular use—one inch long for children and one and a half inch for adults.

The idea of these big doses is to saturate the tissues; the white blood cells will be able to destroy pathogens. “I have seen diphtheria, hemolytic streptococcus infections clear within hours following an injection of ascorbic acid in a dose ranging from 500-700 mg per kilogram of body weight given intravenously as fast as the patient’s cardiovascular system will allow.

He got to know the vulnerability of viruses so well, he played games with them. “When proper amounts are used it will destroy all virus organisms.” He could give one gram of ascorbic acid every four hours and modify the disease symptoms, but if he gave one gram every two hours by mouth for four days, he had stopped the disease, apparently by killing the virus. If he gave this dose for only two days, the symptoms returned. (He kept measles simmering in his own children for a month by giving this dose for two days, then off for two then on, etc.)

With 350 mg per kilogram of body weight every two hours, he could stop measles and dry up chicken pox. If he could get in the vein, 400 mg per kilogram two to three times in 24 hours was all that was required (he published this way back in 1951, in the Southern Medical Surgical Journal)...

Then it is followed by numerous case reports where he healed poliomyelitis, hepatitis, mononucleosis, burns, herpes zoster, cancer, multiple sclerosis, trichinosis, diphteria, glaucoma, mercury toxicity, schizophrenia, snake bites ETC. It is amazing! He specifies the amounts of vitamin C he used in each condition, how and which timings as well. Clearly all this information was eliminated from the official history of medicine by Big Pharma. Sheesh!
 
I'm collecting info about IV vitamin C so thought I'd park it here:

clinic in NY: http://www.cihh.net/index.php/services/iv_therapy

References:

1. Padayatty SJ, Sun H, Wang Y, Riordan HD, Hewitt SM, Katz A, Wesley RA, Levine M. Vitamin C pharmacokinetics: implications for oral and intravenous use. Ann Intern Med. 2004 Apr 6;140(7):533-7.

2. Chen Q, Espey MG, Krishna MC, Mitchell JB, Corpe CP, Buettner GR, Shacter E, Levine M. Pharmacologic ascorbic acid concentrations selectively kill cancer cells: action as a pro-drug to deliver hydrogen peroxide to tissues. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Sep 20;102(38):13604-9. Epub 2005 Sep 12.

3. Padayatty SJ, Riordan HD, Hewitt SM, Katz A, Hoffer LJ, Levine M. Intravenously administered vitamin C as cancer therapy: three cases. CMAJ. 2006 Mar 28;174(7):937-42.


This one is in LA: http://ivtherapycenter.com/HighDoseC.cfm

They do this:

Myers' Cocktail Intravenous Vitamin Therapy - Los Angeles
What is the Myers' Cocktail?
The Myers' Cocktail is a powerful blend of vitamins and minerals designed for IV use. It was originally developed in the 1970s by Dr. John Myers, a Maryland physician. Since then, many people all over the world have been using the Myers' Cocktail to help treat a broad spectrum of health conditions.

Which vitamins and minerals are in the Myers' Cocktail?
The answer to this question really depends on the doctor or intravenous vitamin therapy center you go to. Although Dr. Myers, the inventor of the cocktail, originally had one formula, that formula has since evolved. Now, doctors will often customize the Myers' Cocktail according to a patient's particular needs, adding or deleting nutrients as appropriate. However, a standard formula usually contains:
• Magnesium
• Calcium*
• Vitamin B-12
• Vitamin B-6
• Panthenol (B5)
• B-Complex
• Vitamin C

* Calcium is often removed in devising formulas for patients who are at risk of becoming hypercalcemic, or certain cardiac patients.

Which health conditions do we treat using the Myers' Cocktail?
At the IV Nutrient Therapy Center (IVNTC), we have found the Myers' Cocktail to be extremely useful in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, including:
• Infections (Cold, Flu)
• Allergies and Asthma
• Fatigue
• Adjunctive treatment for certain cardiac conditions (not intended to replace current guidelines of therapy)
• Performance Enhancement
• Migraines/Cluster headaches
• Hypertension
• Fibromyalgia, Neuropathic pain
• Chronic infections, e.g. hepatitis B and C
• Depression

This one is in Australia: http://www.yourhealth.com.au/treatments-natural-medicine-therapies-australia-detail.php?name=Intravenous%20Vitamin%20Therapy


This next one is in Colorado and they do "pulsed IV therapy" http://www.tomlevymd.com/health_ebytes/issue_6.html

PULSED INTRAVENOUS VITAMIN C (PIVC) THERAPY

Vitamin C has already been extensively and unequivocally documented to readily cure a wide range of infectious diseases, including many viral syndromes considered incurable even today (Stone, 1972; Smith, 1988, Levy, 2002). In reviewing a great amount of this information, it becomes apparent that for most infectious diseases, especially viral ones, the only clinical failures of vitamin C appear to occur when a large enough amount of vitamin C cannot be effectively delivered to the invading microorganisms.

With this in mind, then, a more effective dosing and/or delivery system of vitamin C to the various tissues of the body should further improve the clinical efficacy of this agent. In cancer, Riordan et al. (1995) demonstrated the likelihood that vitamin C was an effective anti-tumor therapy as long as high enough concentrations of it could be achieved inside the tumor(s). These researchers also concluded that oral vitamin C supplementation was unlikely to produce blood levels of vitamin C high enough to have a direct killing effect on a given tumor. Later, in studying a certain line of cancer cells and the ability of vitamin C to kill those cancer cells, Casciari et al. (2001) elegantly demonstrated this point. They showed that the rapid intravenous infusion of vitamin C as sodium ascorbate in combination with alpha lipoic acid was effective in reaching vitamin C levels that were toxic to the cancer cells. They also showed that a fat soluble analogue of vitamin C, phenyl-ascorbate, was able to kill cancer cells effectively at a dose roughly three times lower than seen with unaltered vitamin C.

All of the conclusions reached by Casciari et al. noted above support the proposed concept that most clinical failures of vitamin C for infections or other medical conditions relate to inadequate delivery. They administered as much as 60,000 mg of vitamin C over an 80-minute period, a very sizable dose and a fairly rapid administration by most standards of current usage. Yet such a large and rapidly administered infusion of vitamin C will not always be clinically effective. This still does not mean that the vitamin C might not be the optimal treatment for a given condition.

At the Colorado Integrative Medical Center (www.coloradomedicalcenter.com) in Denver, CO, we are starting to use a unique form of vitamin C therapy known as pulsed intravenous vitamin C (PIVC) therapy. First and foremost, this therapy utilizes the principle that the more rapidly a given dose of any nutrient or medication is given, the higher the peak blood level of that substance will be. This very rapid delivery of vitamin C was first reported to be both safe and highly effective by Klenner (1971). In acute barbiturate overdose Klenner gave as much as 42,000 mg of vitamin C "by vein as fast as a 20 gauge needle could carry the flow." This dose awoke the patient and began the reversal of the barbiturate toxicity without causing any side effects of note. Klenner safely administered IV push vitamin C on multiple occasions, often on very critically ill patients, with great clinical success and no reported toxicity.

The concept of PIVC is to get acute blood levels of vitamin C as high as possible. By simple diffusion physiology, an acute doubling or tripling of the blood vitamin C levels will temporarily allow an acute doubling or tripling of the amount of vitamin C that normally diffuses into perfused tissues via the gradient that is present at the baseline concentration. The temporary blood levels achieved can be substantial. If Casciari et al. can get a certain high blood level from infusing 60,000 mg of vitamin C over 80 minutes, then an IV push of 20,000 mg of vitamin C over 2 minutes can be expected to temporarily increase the peak blood concentration by 10-fold or more over the rapid intravenous infusion. This amount has already been administered safely on multiple occasions.

A physiological effect of such a rapid administration of vitamin C appears to occasionally induce an acute hypoglycemia. Sylvest (1942) found that a majority of people given intravenous vitamin C showed a clear lowering of blood sugar. This effect is possibly due to a significant reflex release of insulin from the pancreas. Such a conclusion is directly supported by the work of Cheng et al. (1989), who found that vitamin C injected into rats "produced a dose-dependent and marked hypoglycaemic effect after intravenous injection." They also found that the hypoglycemic effect was maximal at five minutes after injection, coinciding with an increase in the plasma insulin concentration. Vitamin C is a very similar molecule to glucose, and a rapid spike of vitamin C released into the blood likely can induce the same reflex insulin spike that is seen in a glucose tolerance test, where a large dose of glucose is given to evaluate how quickly and effectively one can restore glucose levels to normal by inducing insulin release. Clinically, this hypoglycemic effect has been the most notable in patients who are ingesting little food and drink, and in those patients who are generally sickest, as in advanced neurological conditions. In such patients just an infusion of vitamin C can cause hypoglycemia as well, not requiring the rapid IV push. Such patients may need a bolus of 50% glucose to rapidly reverse the low blood sugar, as it has been noted to occur even when the carrier IV fluid is 5% dextrose (sugar) in water. However, the IV push does seem to more reliably cause the hypoglycemic symptoms, which fits with the animal literature cited above.

This vitamin C-induced hypoglycemia should prove to be a very desirable effect clinically, however. Severe hypoglycemia has already been safely and deliberately induced in a protocol that has been in existence for over 70 years now. Known as insulin potentiation therapy (www.iptq.org), intravenous insulin (roughly 20 to 40 units) is given rapidly to induce hypoglycemia. As hypoglycemia becomes manifest, minidoses of cancer chemotherapeutic agents are administered. Such small doses, in the presence of insulin-induced hypoglycemia, appear to be facilitated in their transport across the cell membrane pathways such that the drugs reach killing concentrations inside cancer cells at much lower dosage levels. Traditional chemotherapy can often be given without causing the otherwise inevitable loss of hair seen with the much larger doses.

Vitamin C and glucose actually directly compete with each other for insulin-mediated transport into the various cells of the body (Washko et al., 1991; Cunningham, 1998). Increased intracellular access should prove to be a major leap forward in the effective treatment of most diseases already known to be responsive to vitamin C, and in likely quite a few more diseases that just need more effective dosing of vitamin C to show a positive response. Proprietary protocols being developed at the Colorado Integrative Medical Center are using such "Vitamin C-Enabled Intracellular Nutrition" (VEIN) methodologies.

A side effect associated with high doses of vitamin C, along with other nutrients given intravenously, and sometimes associated with concomitant hyperbaric oxygen therapy, has been noted at our facility. On three occasions patients have complained of bilateral mid-back discomfort. When this has been reported, further intravenous nutrients are discontinued, oral hydration and intravenous hydration are initiated, and oral or intravenous furosemide is given. This has resolved the discomfort in all circumstances. No associated abnormal laboratory findings have been seen to result. It is hypothesized that when the solute load gets high enough in the blood perfusing the kidney, a dehydrating effect is acutely inflicted on the kidney cells, causing the pain/discomfort reflex. Neglected, more serious complications could occur. However, the regimen just outlined takes care of such situations fairly promptly. Furthermore, such a side effect can actually give the health care practitioner a practical point beyond which further intravenous nutrition should not be pushed acutely.

Anecdotally, I have had the occasion to clinically cure a case of acute Lyme disease with three days of intravenous vitamin C therapy. Whether this is readily repeatable, or whether a chronic case of Lyme disease would respond as well remains to be seen. At the Colorado Integrative Medical Center we are now initiating a combination of therapies including those mentioned in this newsletter to see precisely how much success we can have on a regular basis with this particular disease. We are presently accepting new patients at this time who have this condition and are looking for another treatment option.

Contact Information:
Colorado Integrative Medical Center
1260 South Parker Road
Denver, CO 80231
Toll-free: 866-750-2121
FAX: 303-750-4992
Ask for Darren Green, office manager


Bibliography

Casciari, J., N. Riordan, T. Schmidt, X. Meng, J. Jackson, and H. Riordan. (2001) Cytotoxicity of ascorbate, lipoic acid, and other antioxidants in hollow fibre in vitro tumours. British Journal of Cancer 84(11):1544-1550.

Cheng, J., S. Hsieh-Chen, and C. Tsai. (1989) L-Ascorbic acid produces hypoglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia in anaesthetized rats. The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 41(5):345-346.

Cunningham, J. (1998) The glucose/insulin system and vitamin C: implications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 17(2):105-108.

Klenner, F. (1971) Observations on the dose and administration of ascorbic acid when employed beyond the range of a vitamin in human pathology. Journal of Applied Nutrition 23(3&4):61-88.

Levy, T. (2002) Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases, and Toxins: Curing the Incurable. Philadelphia, PA: Xlibris Corporation. (www.xlibris.com)

Riordan, N., H. Riordan, X. Meng, Y. Li, and J. Jackson. (1995) Intravenous ascorbate as a tumor cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent. Medical Hypotheses 44(3):207-213.

Smith, L. (1988) The Clinical Experiences of Frederick R. Klenner, M.D.: Clinical Guide to the Use of Vitamin C. Portland, OR: Life Sciences Press.

Stone, I. (1972) The Healing Factor: "Vitamin C" Against Disease. New York, NY: Grosset & Dunlap.

Sylvest, O. (1942) The effect of ascorbic acid on the carbohydrate metabolism. Acta Medica Scandinavica 110:183-196.

Washko, P., D. Rotrosen, and M. Levine. (1991) Ascorbic acid in human neutrophils. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 54(6 Suppl):1221S-1227S.


This one is in Kansas: http://integrativemed.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/integrative-medicine/patient-services/infusion-clinic.html


Here is "Peer Reviewed Publication Supporting Intravenous Vitamin C for Cancer Patients"
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/peer-reviewed-publication-supporting-intravenous-vitamin-c-for-cancer-patients-118646729.html

The Linus Pauling Institute http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/ss06/intravitc.html
Is Vitamin C Harmful to Cancer Patients? http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/s-s00/vitaminc.html
 
This little find is interesting: _http://anabolicminds.com/forum/weight-loss/86294-intravenous-vitamin-c.html

Intravenous Vitamin C => insulin sensitivity => Fatloss

I found this interesting (Vit C & Fatloss)...it is taken from an interview w/ Charles Poliquin at T-nation. The part about Milos & 3rd degree burns at the end is interesting too.

TC: Hey, what were you telling me the other day about intravenous Vitamin C and insulin sensitivity and hyperbaric chambers?

CP: Well, I got bit in the ass by a brown recluse spider and I got mono-like symptoms, and I never felt so bad in my life. I talked to one of my reps, and she referred me to a doctor in Denver and I went to see this guy who treated me with Vitamin C. First they confirmed that it was a brown recluse spider bite, and I was in danger, basically, of losing my butt cheek.

I got treated with the Vitamin C and put in a hyperbaric chamber, and within 36 hours I was asymptomatic. I still had a lump of venom in there, and I kept doing the treatments and I got rid of the venom and all the effects.

When you get bit by a brown recluse, you get necrotic fasciaitis, so people who get bit in the nose can lose their nose, people who get bit in the arm can lose their arm, etc, so by doing the super-high dose of Vitamin C—I was getting 180 grams twice a day–by IV, I was able to save my tissue.

However, interestingly, the guy told me that he had to monitor my blood sugar every 20 minutes. He said that such a high dose of Vitamin C has a considerable glycemic response, so I actually had to drink a gallon of grape juice while getting this Vitamin C treatment because my blood sugar levels were just falling,

However, after doing the Vitamin C, and despite ingesting so many carbs, I was actually leaner when I left the clinic!

Then I went on-line and found the research that intravenous Vitamin C changes insulin sensitivity, so I started experimenting on myself. I was at 6% body fat when I started to do 180 grams of Vitamin C twice a week for a month, and I got down to 2.8% body fat without changing anything else. I asked the doctors on my staff to start using the procedure on my athletes and we figured out that in 4 weeks, we could get body composition changes in 4 weeks that we normally get in 10 weeks.

TC: How did this tie in with the hyperbaric chamber?

CP: The hyperbaric chamber was to treat the brown recluse bite, so if you do the IV while in the chamber, the IV is more efficient.

For example, a while back, Milos Sarcev burned himself severely while making a movie. He had 3rd degree burns and looked like burned steak! He was supposed to have a skin graft and stay in the hospital a month, but one of my patients is the director of the burn center at Harvard, so he called the burn center in Arizona and told them to let me do whatever I want, so I gave Milos a ****load of antioxidants including Vitamin C and put him in the hyperbaric chamber. Two days after the treatment, he no longer needed a skin graft and he was released a week after.

I now use it with athletes to improve recovery. It even improves brain function. I was amazed at how mentally sharp I was every time I did an IV in the chamber.
 
Here's another interesting article/clinic:
http://my800weightloss.com/vitamin-iv-therapy

Vitamin IV Therapy
Intravenous (IV) Therapy
Vitamins and minerals provide the raw materials necessary for our cells to function properly. Usually we can get these nutrients through our diet if we are conscientious of what we eat. However, sometimes even a great diet may not translate to proper nutrition at the cellular level.

Causes

There can be many causes of this, which may include poor digestion, food sensitivities, chronic inflammation, poor immune function, or any sickness. A vicious cycle ensues. Our cells are not healthy and they need nutrients to heal. But, the nutrients are not available because our cells are too weak to transport the vitamins and minerals to where they are needed. This scenario describes a typical situation in which intravenous vitamin (IV) therapy would be indicated.

{Like leaky gut??}

Intravenous therapy takes place when medicine is injected directly into the veins and often works more swiftly and successfully than medicine given through the stomach. In the past, a very limited amount drugs could be administered intravenously, but in today’s health care world the number has been greatly extended with applications for many additional disease treatments. Especially in cases of pneumonia and diphtheria, the rapid passage of the medicine through the body using intravenous therapy gives it an advantage over the much slower process of ingesting medication orally.

Uses

There are numerous conditions that IV therapy and chelation therapy (injection of a solution into the bloodstream that binds with metals and passes through the kidneys for removal from the body) can improve. Patients Medical can tailor the IV protocol by varying the type and amounts of nutrients. When this is done, IV therapy can be beneficial for:

Asthma
Migraines
Hepatitis
Fibromyalgia
Muscle spasm
Chronic fatigue
Upper respiratory infection
Parkinson’s disease
Malnutrition
Anti-aging
Allergic rhinitis
Chronic sinusitis
Acute viral illness
Herpes outbreaks
Acute strain or injury
Coronary artery disease (hypertension)
Detoxification (including heavy metals)
Depression
High cholesterol
High blood pressure

It can even be used periodically in healthy people to enhance overall well-being.

It is impossible orally to attain the high levels of nutrients that IV vitamins are capable of delivering. Oral vitamins and nutrients are converted or broken down in the stomach and liver during the absorption process. High doses often cause gastrointestinal symptoms and diarrhea. IV nutrients go directly into the bloodstream in an unaltered, safe form that is very well tolerated, with minimal or no side effects. Intravenous vitamin C is especially effective in fighting viruses and cancer cells, while being completely safe for all normal cells. It is because of this characteristic that IV vitamin C is particularly useful in knocking out the viruses of the common cold, flu, and sore throat. Patients often start feeling better within hours of administration.

IV Therapy for Fibromyalgia

The fatigue, pain, and depression from chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia are real, and they have a cause. More importantly, help is available. At Patients Medical we don’t just treat the symptoms of these disorders—we take a comprehensive approach that has the potential to reverse these conditions, alleviating pain, increasing energy, and boosting immunity.

People suffering with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue are believed to have impaired cellular function—particularly in the way muscle cells handle calcium and phosphate. This, in turn, stimulates painful contractions and muscle spasms. To address these problems, we prescribe a full regimen of therapies, including IV doses of B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin C, and other nutrients proven to boost energy, improve tissue repair, and relieve stress. Get Additional Information on Fibromyalgia Here

IV Therapy for Asthma

Asthma has been a major focus for physicians in recent years because both the incidence and mortality rate appear to be increasing, especially within certain ethnic or geographic groups. This increase has been blamed variously on different types of inhalers used for asthma, chemical pollution (mostly of the air), increased reporting of incidences, and many other factors. No matter what the cause, the incidence of asthma has appeared to increase and to worsen over the years, even if it may appear to be more stable recently.

In addition, asthma has become increasingly more difficult to treat. Several studies indicate the mortality rate of asthma is on the rise, and the number of people being seen in emergency rooms with severe asthma attacks that can lead to respiratory failure is also increasing. The use of IV nutrient therapy for asthma was begun in the late 1980s, soon after the first research results were published involving the administration of magnesium through an IV for the treatment of acute asthma. Most have found that magnesium sulfate, via IV infusion, is very beneficial for the treatment of asthma. Get Additional Information on Asthma Here

IV Therapy for Anti-aging

Poor nutrition, chronic stress, improper sleep patterns and lack of physical activity all contribute to premature aging, loss of skin elasticity, weight gain, abdominal fat, anxiety/depression, digestive disorders, skin problems, fatigue, and illness. Learning how to manage your lifestyle is key to slowing the aging process and retaining youth. A healthy diet high in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytochemicals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, fibre and amino acids, along with proper sleep, exercise, and stress management techniques, are all necessary for retaining youth and slowing the aging process.

Even if you eat well, your body might not be absorbing the vitamins and minerals it needs to fight the aging process. IV therapy boosts the antioxidant vitamin and mineral levels in your body much more effectively than oral supplements. You can choose from a variety of IV cocktails, each designed to help your body repair damage, prevent aging, and recover its youthful vigor. Get Additional Information on Aging & Longevity Here

IV Therapy for Detoxification

The objective of detoxification is to remove toxic metals from the body and restore proper functioning of the autonomic nervous system and the organs affected by it. Detoxification is done in phases over time to protect the body and allow rest and healing.

A multiple strategy approach is used depending on the patient’s needs and desires which may include:

Safe mercury removal
Rest
Oral chelation
Nutritional supplementation
Rejuvenation and detoxification therapies
Organ rehabilitation and/or support

The body’s weakest area is most likely to develop the problem first. Because the mercury toxins can travel either by way of the blood stream or by nerve pathways, one person may develop bleeding gums and bowel problems and another severe asthma or bronchitis. A third person may experience concentration difficulties, sleep disturbances, hearing loss, and dizziness, and still others will have extreme fatigue, lack of initiative, and clumsiness. Mercury can interfere with virtually any process of any organ of the body. Removal of mercury must be done by a caring professional who will take all precautions to protect you from further exposure.

Nourishment to the body is provided through high-grade nutritional supplements, herbs, and IV therapy, while therapeutic massage is given, all to calm and nourish the body while the detox is slowly taking place. Get Additional Information on Detoxification Here

Types of IV Therapy

Allergy and Asthma IV: IV nutritional therapy used for asthma, COPD, pneumonia, respiratory infections and allergies. IV nutrients include vitamin C, magnesium, mucosa compositum, and pyridoxine.

Anti-Fungal IV: Many patients suffer from the “yeast syndrome”, as described by William Crook, MD, in his bestselling book. Fungus can develop and contribute to a myriad of health problems including diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, and depression/anxiety to name a few. The “ABC’S”–Antibiotics, Birth control pills, Cortisone (Prednisone), and Sugar found in the typical American diet–are considered to be the major triggers for this disorder. Anti-fungal IV drips are used to inactivate fungus and improve immune function.

Arthritis IV: IV nutritional therapy with an anti-inflammatory effect, helpful for arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, and degenerative disc disease. IV nutrients include USP vitamin C, discus composition, and trace minerals.

Brain Improvement IV: IV nutritional therapy that combines Glutathione (primary brain anti-oxidant), alpha lipoic acid, folate, and cerecomp homeopathic to improve memory, impaired concentration, depression, insomnia, and anxiety.

Cancer IV: Recent studies at the NIH (National Institute of Health), conducted by Harvard Medical School researcher, Mark Levin, MD have demonstrated the anti-tumor effect of high dosages of vitamin C given intravenously. This same effect does not occur with oral vitamin C. This therapy was originally developed by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling, expanded upon by Dr. Klenner and Dr. Cathcart and, more recently, Hugh Rirodan, MD. Intravenous, high-dosage vitamin C also reduces the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation for those receiving conventional medical therapies.

Chelation Therapy IV: IV nutritional therapy that uses either calcium EDTA or disodium EDTA to remove heavy metals, improve blood flow, and remove artery damaging chemicals from the blood vessels. Some of the health conditions that benefit from chelation therapy include hypertension, heart disease, memory decline, autism, diabetic complications, and many others.

Diabetes IV: IV nutritional therapy used to improve glucose metabolism, improve neuropathy and vascular disease associated with diabetes. IV nutrients include alpha lipoic acid, folic acid, vitamin B12, thiamin, and ubichinon compositum.

Digestive IV: IV nutritional therapy used to promote digestive track repair associated with chronic gerd, ulcers, maldigestion and malabsorption, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IV nutrients including mucosa compositum, ala, riboflavin, and others.

Dr Gallagher’s Cocktail IV: IV nutritional therapy used to increase energy, repair enzyme systems, and promote optimum nervous system function. IV nutrients include vitamin C, glutathione, glyoxal compositum, and coenzyme compositum.

Dr. Wright’s RMR: IV protocol developed by Jonathan Wright, MD, that infuses high concentrations of minerals to quickly boost energy and alkalinize in the body. Rapid mineral replacement (RMR) often has immediate health benefits for those suffering from stress related disorders, exhaustion, or a general sense of depletion.

Glutathione IV: Powerful anti-oxidant found predominately in the brain and liver. When given intravenously it improves liver and brain function. Often used for memory enhancement, dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, neuropathy, and liver disease.

Healthy Defense IV: IV nutritional therapy used for viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Helpful for sinusitis, bronchitis, COPD, and asthma. IV nutrients include therapeutic doses of ascorbic acid, pantothenic acid, and galium-heel.

Healthy Heart IV: IV nutritional therapy helpful for atherosclerosis, heart disease, and hypertension. IV nutrients include magnesium, trace minerals, cerecomp, and pyridoxine.

Heavy Metal Detox IV: IV nutritional therapy used to treat heavy metal exposure that may contribute to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental illness and other degenerative diseases. IV nutrients include calcium EDTA and vitamin C.

Hypertension IV: High blood pressure is often associated with mineral deficiencies and heavy metal burden. Intravenous nutritional therapy can rapidly lower blood pressure, and when used in conjunction with other lifestyle measures can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Immune Drips: IV nutritional therapy infusions that include high dosage, pharmaceutical grade vitamin C found to be helpful for chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, chronic infections, hepatitis, and cancer.

Liver Detox IV: IV nutritional therapy used for liver repair and detoxification. Contains glutathione, ALA, hepar compositum, and high dose vitamin C.

Magnesium IV: Used for arrhythmia, asthma, diabetes and more. Intravenous magnesium has been shown to increase the rate of survival after a heart attack. It has the ability to smooth arrhythmias, lower blood pressure, and improve the outcome for patients undergoing stent placement for blocked coronary arteries. Asthmatic, COPD, and chronic bronchitis patients benefit from this therapy because IV magnesium relaxes the spastic bronchial tubes (airway) associated with these disorders. This is an important therapy for diabetics suffering from retinopathy (eye damage), and helps to improve the sensitivity of insulin. Patients suffering from kidney stones also benefit from this therapy.

Migraine Headache IV: For millions of Americans, migraine headaches can be disabling, leading to countless medications that are often replete with side effects. The migraine IV “cocktail” utilizes concentrations of magnesium, riboflavin, and other key nutrients to relieve acute migraine episodes and prevent future occurrences.

Myer’s Cocktail: IV vitamin and mineral therapy developed in the 1970’s by John Meyer, M.D., a physician at Johns Hopkins University. The “cocktail” is indicated for chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, muscle spasm, asthma, hives, congestive heart failure, angina (chest pain), infections, and senile dementia.

Plaquex Therapy: Plaquex does just what its name suggests; it reduces plaque deposits in arterial walls. But it isn’t just for people with arterial blockages. Plaquex is a combination of essential phospholipids (EPL) specially formulated for IV administration. Phospholipids are primary constituents of the membranes that surround each of our cells, protecting and controlling what enters them. Among the most essential phospholipids is phosphatidylcholine (PC), which is the backbone of Plaquex. As we age, our production of PC and other phospholipids falters, which has adverse effects throughout your body. Plaquex therapy replenishes your supply of these crucial building blocks, and has demonstrated the ability to:

Decrease plaque deposits in arteries
Improve exercise tolerance
Reduce angina attacks
Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Boost circulation
Increase male potency
Improve kidney function

Anyone with heart disease, diabetes, arterial blockages, sexual dysfunction, high cholesterol, or lipid problems can greatly benefit from Plaquex therapy.

PMS/Menopause IV: IV nutritional therapy used for PMS, menopause, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, depression, cramps, etc. IV nutrients include vitamin B complex, pyridoxine, magnesium, and cerecomp.

Vision IV: Deterioration of sight, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, is one of the most common problems associated with aging. Around age 60, the likelihood of serious ocular disorders, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy accelerates. Fortunately, these vision problems can be slowed and even reversed in many cases. Due to the fact that free radical damage is a significant contributor to these problems, antioxidants have a strong protective effect. Current medical research has proven that visual decline can often be improved or reversed with anti-oxidant therapies. Special “vision drips” including anti-oxidants, fatty acids, amino acids, carotenoids, minerals, and glutathione are used individually or combined with chelation to help with visual decline.
 
_http://www.infoisus.com/naturalhealtharchives/grouppekurosawa.com/blog/2006/02/how-to-make-your-own-dehyd_114115275209892585.htm

How to Make Your Own Dehydroascorbic Acid
Dehydroascorbic acid or DHA is the breakdown product of vitamin C. Unlike vitamin C, it can inhibit the activation of the genetic factor NF-kappaB. Inhibiting NF-kappaB activation is the Holy Grail of inflammation, autoimmune, cancer and leukemia therapies.

In previous Blogs, I stated that ascorbyl palmitate, a fat soluble form of vitamin C, was the only form of vitamin C that I recommended. I now retract that statement.

I would like to thank my colleague Dr. Will LaValley, M.D. of Austin Texas for stating the obvious. Simple hydrogen peroxide can oxidize vitamin C to DHA. Therapeutically, we have NO interest in vitamin C. We are only interested in DHA, a molecule which activates different biochemical pathways than vitamin C.

Ascorbyl palmitate should NEVER be taken as capsules. The AP is not soluble in water and will not be absorbed into the body UNLESS the AP is dissolved in fat. The oil industry developed AP as an anti-oxidant for oils. It was never meant to be taken in capsule form.

Bottom line.

We want to consume DHA but not vitamin C. Further, we want to prevent DHA from being converted back to vitamin C in the tissues.

We can purchase 500 grams of vitamin C for $20. See the home page of the GK website and the reference to the bulk supplement supplier.

Consider the following protocol.

10 grams of vitamin C can be converted to 10 grams of DHA by using common 3% hydrogen peroxide. Use fresh hydrogen peroxide, not the stuff that has been in your medicine cabinet for the last 2 years. Dissolve the 10 grams of vitamin C in water. It will not dissolve completely. You can also use vitamin C esters, calcium ascorbate, which are more soluble. Unfortunately, these products are more expensive and are not available in bulk form.

Slowly add the 3% hydrogen peroxide to the semi dissolved vitamin C. Forming will occur as the hydrogen peroxide interacts with the vitamin C.

I conducted the following experiment. I ground up ten 500 mg vitamin C pills in a mini-grinder. I added about 2 ounces of water to the vitamin C and its pill fillers, and stirred it for about a minute. If you use pure vitamin C without the pill fillers, its alot easier than grinding up pills.

To the 5 grams of vitamin C in 2 ounces of water, I added one teaspoon (measuring teaspoon) of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Forming occured for about 5 seconds and stopped. I added some small additional amounts of hydrogen peroxide, but forming never occured again. So, a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide seems to neutralize 5 grams of vitamin C into DHA, our goal. I probably could have used less hydrogen peroxide, but who cares.

Then I drank it. Vitamin C is an acid and causes stomach problems for some people. When the powder vitamin C is neutralized with hydrogen peroxide, it has a tart taste but nothing more. Just drink it down. No stomach upset at all.

Considerations.

Sugar, as in glucose, decreases the efficiency of DHA uptake into the intestines. Therefore, this form of DHA must be taken on an empty stomach. Sugar and carbohydrates in general will inhibit its uptake.

Interestingly, sugar in the body inhibits the uptake of vitamin C into cells. Both glucose and vitamin C bind the same receptors so they compete with one another. Glucose does not inhibit the uptake of DHA into cells, however.

In the next Blog, I will discuss a simple procedure to prevent the intracellular conversion of DHA back to vitamin C.

Although I have recommended 10 grams of DHA a day, this is a minimum dose. Use as much as you want, but only under the conditions set forth in the next Blog. The stuff is cheap. 10 grams of bulk vitamin C costs 40 cents. Hydrogen peroxide is so cheap that the cost is not worth calculating. As cancer therapies go, this is incredibly exciting.
 
How to Make Your Own Dehydroascorbic Acid
Dehydroascorbic acid or DHA is the breakdown product of vitamin C.

This is the one that crosses the blood brain barrier:

Vitamin C Shown To Cross The Blood Brain Barrier

_http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1997/12/971206133607.htm

Findings May Be Useful To Slow Progression of Some Brain Disorders

The blood brain barrier has long been regarded as the body's most formidable gatekeeper. It is a virtual fortress of blood vessels that forms a protective barrier between the blood and brain, screening any chemical that attempts to access the brain's inner sanctum. But the blood brain barrier's protective role can be a drawback, as it also blocks access to substances that would be good for the brain. One such substance is vitamin C, an antioxidant that is essential to keep the central nervous system functioning properly.

Now, researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have discovered how to get large amounts of vitamin C past the blood brain barrier so that it is transported and retained in the brains of laboratory mice. This finding may prove useful in efforts to slow the progression of certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's. The investigators report their findings in the December 1st issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

"We now know how to get large amounts of an antioxidant into the brain," said Dr. David Agus, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and lead author of the study.

The researchers studied vitamin C absorption in the brain to determine why it was present in this organ's tissue at higher concentrations than any other area of the body. Earlier research by Dr. David Golde, Physician-in-Chief of Memorial Hospital, and his colleagues had established that specific glucose transporter molecules were responsible for transporting vitamin C into cells. This process occurs when vitamin C, which is used by cells in the form of ascorbic acid, is converted into the form of dehydroascorbic acid and transported into the cell. Once inside, the vitamin is converted back to ascorbic acid.

Building on this research, Drs. Agus, Golde and their colleagues reasoned that vitamin C would cross the blood brain barrier as dehydroascorbic acid via the same glucose transport mechanism and be retained as ascorbic acid in the brain. To find out, mice were injected with either ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, or sucrose (as a measure of blood volume) and their brains were subsequently analyzed at varying time intervals for vitamin C content. The researchers found that ascorbic acid was not able to cross the blood brain barrier, while dehydroascorbic acid readily entered the brain and was retained in the tissue as ascorbic acid.

Although scientists do not know the exact role that vitamin C plays in the brain, recent studies have shown that various vitamin compounds with antioxidant-like properties can slow the progression of moderately severe Alzheimer's disease. In addition, vitamin C is also known to act as a scavenger of free radicals - substances that play a role in causing diseases.

"Our findings from this study have therapeutic implications because we can potentially increase vitamin C concentrations in the brain by increasing the blood level of dehydroascorbic acid," said Dr. Golde. He added that this was not possible by taking vitamin C as an oral supplement because most of it would be excreted in the urine.

Now, the researchers are conducting on-going laboratory experiments in mice to test the clinical effectiveness of large amounts of dehydroascorbic acid. They hope to increase the antioxidant potential in the brain.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is the world's oldest and largest private institution devoted to prevention, patient care, research, and education in cancer. Throughout its long, distinguished history, the Center has played a leadership role in defining the standard of care for patients with cancer. In 1997, Memorial Sloan-Kettering was named the nation's best cancer center for the fifth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report.

When one prepares vitamin C for IV solution, it will turn yellow. Dr Cathart (Sp?) of the orthomolecular medicine website was saying that it was dehydroascorbic acid that gave the solution its yellow color and can be enhanced by mixing the solution before refrigerating if I recall correctly.
 

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