Truth #4 What can I do to stay well? Vitamin C.

Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is a water soluble compound and is easily absorbed. However, it is not stored in the body. That is why it is important to daily consume foods or use supplements rich in Vitamin C.

What foods are rich in vitamin C? Fruits and vegetables are the best sources

oranges (90mg/cup), sweet peppers (230 mg/raw cup), tomato juice, (170 mg/cup), broccoli (74 mg/cooked cup), brussels sprouts (71 mg/cooked cup), kale (69mg/cooked cup), cauliflower (56 mg/cooked cup) to name a few!

Want to boost your immune system naturally, Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is key. Vitamin C stimulates your immune system, specifically white blood cells (WBCs). Vitamin C also aides in the absorption of iron which is also very important to carry oxygen and fight off infection. I’m only focusing on Vitamin C in the context of infections. Needless, to say, Vitamin C has many other health benefits.

How much should I take? If you are deficient, you need more!

Viral infections, stress, smoking, fever, cause a rapid decline in blood levels of Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. That is why it is important to use more and use it daily!

Dr. Stuart Nunnally, renown authority, recommends 3000-10000 mg/day or 3-10 g/day.

The International Journal of Vitamin Nutritional Research found 200 mg of vitamin C per day resulted in an 80% decrease in deaths among severely ill, hospitalized patients with pneumonia. That is a relatively small amount, which suggests deficiencies needs to be prevented.

With regards to cardiovascular disease and infection, 100 mg/day of ascorbic acid is found to be sufficient to decrease LDL damage, and saturate WBCs in healthy individuals.

Can I take too much?

Doses over 500 mg/d may cause diarrhea or gastric distress. A study reported Vitamin C may increase the risk of cataracts were made at longterm at dose of 500mg/d.

In summary, little scientific evidence shows large doses of vitamin C are toxic or exert serious adverse health effects. It’s okay to take up to 10,000 mg/day or 10 grams/day.

The Mayo Clinic reports here medications that might be affected by Vitamin C, so check the list if you are on medications.

What product do you recommend? Take something every day!

Liposomal Vitamin C. Dr. Nunnally recommends liposomal products. We have this in the office currently, but supplies are limited. Our product taste delicious, just like an orange.

You can also purchase these over the counter.

Emergen-C 1000mg, go here to get a coupon.

Nature Made C 500mg

Spring Valley C 500 mg

So, next time you go to the store, pick up some foods rich in Vitamin C, and stop and get a supplement just in case. Then, make sure you and yours take them!

We are still offering Ozone Therapy free of charge to those 75 and above. For more information, visit the website.

I remain committed to your health,

Dr. Shelley

 

Food nutritional information: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov

Carr AC, Frei B: Does vitamin C act as pro-oxidant under physiological conditions ?. FASEB J. 1999, 13: 1007-1024.

Hemilä, H., Chalker, E. Vitamin C may reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients: a meta-regression analysis. j intensive care 8, 15 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40560-020-0432-y

Hunt C. The clinical effects of vitamin C supplementation in elderly hospitalized patients with an acute respiratory infection. Int J Vit Nut Res 1994;64:212-19

Bendich A: Vitamin C safety in humans. In: Vitamin C in Health and Disease. Edited by: Packer L, Fuchs J. 1997, Marcel Dekker Inc. New York, 369-379.

Consumerlabs.com, Natural Remedies and Supplements for Coronavirus (COVID-19).

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-c/art-20363932