I know that there are varied opinions and test results, recommended dosage etc. regarding vitamin C. And I don't want to debate that. This is just my experience during 35 years of taking mega doses of vitamin C, and two of my findings. 1. Up until about 35 years ago, like most people, I would catch a cold 2 or 3 times a year. I found that a friend was taking 500mg of vitamin c daily as a prevention against colds. So I decided to give it a shot. For reasons I can't remember I started out taking 2 grams. But then after reading Linus Pauling's books and through experimentation over the next few years I found that taking 10 grams daily was the ideal dosage for me. So, the result is that I now catch a cold only once every 5 years or so. In fact, last year was the first one in about 10 years!! And when i do catch one the symptoms are significantly lighter than those of normal colds. 10 grams of vitamin c is the equivalent of that found a 400 lemons as I remember. I take the dosage in powder form, 3 times a day. 2. I get a physical once a year and my cholesterol is always a little high at around 220 to 230. So 3 years ago the doctor suggested an exam to check my arteries where they exam the artery in your neck with ultrasound(don't know what the exam is called in English).The result of that exam was that I have the arteries of a young person (I'm now 71). So I guess that significantly lowers my chances of having a stroke or heart attack. Given my eating habits, I was very pleasantly surprised to say the least. But at the time I just thought I had good DNA or something. It wasn't until recently that I read about many studies that have been done showing the benefits vitamin c has on protecting the arteries against the buildup of plaque and even of cleaning the arteries to some extent. When I was around 35 my cholesterol was over 300 and my triglyceride level was 5 times that of someone whose level is high. I took the necessary steps to return to a normal level, but if there was any buildup at that time, it's no longer there!! I know that there are claims that mega doses of vitamin c can prevent or cure everything from cancer to pimples. All I know is the above, and also that I have none of the problems so often seen in people my age, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or anything else for that matter. Without the wrinkles you'd swear I was under 30!! If you are interested knowing more, you may find Linus Pauling's books of interest. Vitamin C and the Common Cold (1970), Vitamin C, the Common Cold and the Flu (1976), Vitamin C and Cancer (1979), and How to Feel Better and Live Longer (1986). However it was not these books that convinced me of the benefits of mega doses of vitamin C. It was my personal experience. Please keep in mind that most of the studies that claim that vitamin C does not prevent colds etc. are done using dosages of only 250mg to 1 gram. Hope you found this of interest.
No, not at all. But I guess if you started out taking a large dose, you might. So a slow buildup until you find your limit would be best.
Well, I have a similar thing against sore throats. I used to get it 1-2 during the winter, but in the last 3 winters I took Kelp (seaweeed) pills and no sore throats. It is full of iodine, I think that is what helps. I only start taking it at the end of November. I try to cycle my supplements... Going back to the vitamin C, it did cause diarrhea for me when I took a higher dosage. "The major side effect of vitamin C overload is an unmistakable 5-times-an-hour diarrhea. This indicates absolute saturation, and the daily dose is then dropped ..." http://www.doctoryourself.com/ortho_c.html
Interesting to hear from a long term user. Back in 2014 my elderly aunt (80) had a severe problem with *diverticulitis and given her age and strength surgery was not viable. On a hunch and some deduction I made a batch of liposomal vitamin C, largely PH neutralised with baking soda using an ultrasonic cleaner. e.g. http://it-takes-time.com/2015/03/02/make-liposomal-vitamin-c/ There are various Youtube videos, some make excessively hopeful cancer claims of course. It tasted bad, a couple of tablespoons a day, but she was willing to try anything at that stage. A month later and she was in good form again.The fat coating reduces the initial problem with diarrhea, I've taken it myself. Slow build also helps. *Diverticulitis occurs when the bulging sacs that appear in the lining of your large intestine, or colon, get acutely infected or inflamed. The most common and severe symptom is sudden pain on the lower left side of the abdomen. Drinking plenty of water and eating fiber-rich foods can help you avoid diverticulitis
I don't quite agree with that. The diarrhea is caused by the acidity of the vitamin c form/ ascorbic acid. It may indicate a saturation of what the intestines can tolerate for a ph level, but it does not necessarily indicate tissue saturation of vitamin C. If you are getting diarhhea or heartburn form the vitamin c, it would be good to switch to vitamin c in the form of calcium ascorbate. The calcium in it (think TUMS) buffers the acidity of the ascorbic acid. Me thinks.
Quite so. Unfortunately people forget the "drinking plenty of water part." They think "hey if I feel dehydrated or thirsty I will just drink more." No, no, no. That is not the issue. The issue is that if you take more fiber (especially these fiber powder mixes) and only drink a little water then you have just created what is commonly called Adobe in the southwest- only in your intestines. A very, very counterproductive situation. Conversely, you know if you have ever mixed concrete that if you put too much water in it, it will not set up. Well, if it is in your intestines, not setting up is the goal unless you want a brick there or hard deposits that are not going anywhere soon.
Speaking of vitamin C, don't excessive quantities of it over a long period of time cause kidney stones?
Yeah, I did have one. But while vitamin may, or may not, have been the cause,I'd rather have 1000 stones than 1 clogged artery!!
Indeedy, familiar with the concept. When I moved to south America I had my first ...emm.. minor blockage..ever for a couple of days. Corn which was not significantly in my diet before took time to adapt to. It is very bad for diverticuitis also as the outer shell is indigestible and can get trapped. Also being young and naughty my girl tho was a student doctor and I snuck upstairs in Graceland, surprisingly nobody notice. She was the Elvis fan really and explained the whole thing to me in considerable detail. We may have seen the actual death toilet. Maybe. I recall reading some research showing that people cannot differentiate between thirst and hunger so eat instead of drinking. I'm pretty sure the ultrasonic 'liposomal' goop works well. I remember reading someone say that ok, relatively few liposomes are made unless lucky but the emulsion does improve absorption into the liver and blood.