Dr. Smith with Your Health

VITAMIN C AND THE IMMUNE RESPONSE

by Dr. BRIAN A. SMITH, D.C.

The purpose of this article is to provide information only and should not be construed as a recommendation of a course of action.

Is there really any benefit to "popping" vitamin C pills like candy? What does peer-reviewed research, i.e. JAMA, Lancet, etc., have to say? Should this research set the boundaries for usage? If so, what of drugs - the U.S. Office of Public Health, after 13 years of research, concluded that two-thirds of over the counter drugs do not do what the manufacturers claim - what about them? Nobel prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling claimed amazing results with vitamin C and the common cold. Subsequent double-blind research appeared to refute his claims.

What happened? The double-blind study changed two variables, not one claimed by the "researchers' involved. This second variable was found to have a profound effect. If the paticipants did not know they were taking vitamin C (an established double-blind protocol) they responded differently from a group of people who did know they were taking vitamin C. In our search for knowledge we must not discount the power and ability of our mind to assist us when it has all the facts. On to vitamin C.

Dr. Don Dickenson, in his book How To Fortify your Immune System (1984) states "Vitamin C occupies a very important position in immune system functions. When human volunteers are fed at least 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day, their antibodies and complement proteins are seen to increase. Experimental animals survive induced influenza virus infections with greater success if they are treated with vitamin C before they are inoculated. Guinea pigs which are kept vitamin C deficient have decreased T-lymphocyte numbers, but if they are given excess vitamin C the T-lymphocyte numbers are increased. Vitamin C is utilized when white blood cells engulf bacteria, viruses and cellular debris and supplementation of vitamin C improves the ability of white blood cells to increase the speed with which they get to infected areas. Macrophages combine hydrogen peroxide with ascorbic acid (vitamin C), metal ions, antibody, complement and lysozyme to kill ingested bacteria. Recent information suggests that vitamin C influences the ability of different body cells (skin, lung) to effect a substantial production of the antviral agent, interferon. The thymus gland also requires vitamin C for its optimum activity in producing T-lymphocytes.

Experimental animals kept in a vitamin C deficient state experience decreases in their ability to detoxify drugs and foreign chemicals on the order of 50 to 65 per cent. Vitamin C also inhibits the conversion of many chemicals to cancer-causing substances, particularly the nitrates and nitrites used as food preservatives in processed meats (ham, bacon, cold cuts, etc.)." Thoroughly researched, Dr. Dickenson's book has documentation for each and every statement.

In addition to the above, vitamin C helps protect the body against smog and radiation, it aids in the metabolism of some amino acids and also protects many vtamins, especially E, and minerals from oxidation.

The importance of vitamin C can be demonstrated by the existence of two physiologic pumps. Pump #1 concentrates vitamin C in the brain to a level 100 times that of the blood. Pump #2 concetrates the level within nerve cells to 100 times that of the brain, 10,000 times that of the blood!

What dosages are "correct" for the individual? Depending on the individual doses may very from 500 mg. or less to as high as 100,000 mg. per day in very unusual cases. What of safety? In the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Jerry Rivers, then of Cornell University, reviewed the existing literature and concluded "the practice of ingesting large quantities of ascorbic acid will not result in calcium-oxalate stones, increased uric acid excretion,...in healthy individuals." In many people, diarrhea is a consequence of vitamin C supplementation. This was thought to mark the upper limits of vitamin C absorption abilities. With HIV+ individuals a different view must be appreciated. Infection of the GI tract with cryptosporidium or microsporidium is aa very real possibility. Ingestion of vitamin C, at even "low dose" levels of 1000 mg. or less, may cause enough irritation to the inflamed GI tract to bring about diarrhea. A buffered form of vitamin C may help to address this problem. Above and beyond that, we must not ignore the possibility that the vitamin C is killing the invading organism, as it has been shown to do with certain pathogens, and the body is responding by attempting to "flush" the debris out.

A pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), with bioflavonoids, is preferred. No artificial flavoring or preservatives, sweetening ingredients or coloring agents are needed. Timed-release or sustained-release may be tolerated better by a minority of individuals, but the efficacy of both is questionable especially with the increased costs.

Usually up to 80% of either is released in the first hour, yielding similar blood levels as found in other supplements. A mineral ascorbate is available that is a "buffered" form of vitamin C and may help preventing GI disturbances. These are good but attention must be paid to the amount of minerals in the formula. The best appears to be potassium ascorbate. Large doses of calcium ascorbate can interfere with other minerals, notablt magnesium, in the body with detrimental effects. Lastly, there is an IV infusion form of sodium ascorbate available and this may be done through a doctor's office. The efficacy of this method is questionable in that vitamin C must be taken in by the body at least twice a day, if not more, to maintain blood and storage amounts at optimum levels.

How much to take? Starting with 1000 mg. per day should not yield any unpleasant side effects in the majority. In the event it does, the form used may have to be switched to a buffered form or ascorbate crystals that dissolve in water. Also, more frequent, but lower doses may help. Do not be afraid to increase your amount. I personally have taken 50,000 mg. per day when I had the flu with no side effects; and the flu was gone within 18 hours. When I am in a healthy state, this same amount would probably cause a bout with diarrhea! As the stress on your body increases, so does your requirement. Smoking one cigarette destroys over 100 mg. of vitamin C. Each person is different and so are their requirements. A simple lingual (tongue) test using a blue dye can quickly assess your ascorbate levels in your tissues, much more reliable than serum levels. Unfortunately few doctors or nutritionists use this easy tool to keep track of patient requirements.

As can be seen, vitamin C has many varied functions in the body, especially in the immune system. Supplementation is a practical, safe and cost-effective way to promote these functions.

Dr. Brian A. Smith is a chiropractic doctor and naturopathic physician who has specialized in the treatment of immune-suppressed individuals since 1987. He is a scientific advisory board member of AIDS ReSEARCH Alliance.

He maintains a private practice in Los Angeles and can be reached at (323) 306-4909. Questions from readers are welcome as are suggestions for future articles. You can also contact him via E-mail at: Send e-mail to Dr. Smith

Back to the Article List

Articles by Dr. Brian A. Smith:

HIV and CHIRO † VITAMIN C † BETA-CAROTENE † MINERALS † DMG † PROTEIN † DIET & HIV † MORE ON PROTEIN † NUTRITION † DHEA † LIVER † CHIRO † NAC † SILVER † ALT THERAPIES †