Facts about Vitamin C and vitamin supplements
Vitamin C's most important study was in the Canadian Medical Association Journal of Sept. 23 1972. During 102 days (3.4 months) in winter, 407 about 25 year old Canadians took 1 g/day + 3 g/day during the first 3 days of any illness. An identical group on taste and look-alike dummy pills had 40% more people seeking medical help (56 vs. 40), 58% more doctors visits [94 vs. 60] and a "similar" increased prescription drug use. There was a 99.9% probable reduction in days of disability. Sadly, drug use and doctors visits, simple indicators of bad health, were not looked at in a larger follow-up study that also proved benefit. For long-term benefits: Epidem; May '92. In science, if no effect is found, there was none, the study was badly designed, or statistically unlucky. Significant results from proper studies stand until proven wrong by other studies.According to these non refuted results, 1 g per day of vitamin C with an increase during illness would change the face of everyday medical practice.
Comment. 200 mg, with some effort and cost obtainable from fruit and veggies, saturates blood and cells in totally healthy people. Illness and infection makes the need for vitamin C skyrocket. It is here and in long-term health that benefits of high amounts are likely. The biochemistry is so complex -ProcNutrSoc; '99: 469-76- that only simple indicators like doctors visits, drug use and days of disability provide practical answers.
The current evidence suggests that people who take such supplements and their read more
