Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!cca!ima!inmet!mrp From: mrp@inmet.UUCP Newsgroups: net.med Subject: Re: Vitamin C - (nf) Message-ID: <1719@inmet.UUCP> Date: Sun, 19-Aug-84 00:50:49 EDT Article-I.D.: inmet.1719 Posted: Sun Aug 19 00:50:49 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 21-Aug-84 04:28:27 EDT Lines: 44 #R:sdcsvax:-109500:inmet:11200007:000:1597 inmet!mrp Aug 17 10:22:00 1984 James- As an avid fan of Vitamin C , I have done some research into the subject (and discoverd that relatively little research has been done). The popular AMA line is that anything over 1 to 1.5 grams per day is potentially toxic. The theory is that excessive C can cause the exacerbation/formation of kidney stones due to the conversion of C into oxalic acid. The only study which I found (sorry , I don't have the name at my keyboard tips) indicated that this complication was extremely rare and tended to occur in those people who ALREADY had kidney stones. Other side effects can be gastric disturbances, diarhhea (forgive the spelling), and excessive flatulence. Some resources you might want to check out are Linus Pauling's books . After a long struggle with the American Cancer Institute, he has recently received funding for research into the effects of C on cancer. (This was after being turned down for research $$. The supportive evidence was finally so overwhelming that the ACI finally had to admit that there just might be something to investigate here). Another source to look into is Durk & Sandy Pierson's LIFE EXTENSION books. By the way- I've been taking 3-8 grams of C per day for over a year, and the frequent blood tests I have had taken for screening toxicity have all shown me to be in excellent shape. But as in all things, let your conscience be your guide. I take these megadoses because of a serious illness. I don't know if I would be as gung-ho otherwise. Either way, good luck in your hunt for good health. Robin Camardo Intermetrics, Inc.