(07-08-12) Do We Really Need More Vitamin C?

>by David Juan, MD
>
>Surely vitamin C, one of the most famous nutrients in all the land, is a
>powerful antioxidant with a bounty of big roles in the body. A new report
has
>examined the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), asking the question of
>whether it is correct? Or is it promoting only half the vitamin C that it
>should be?
>
>That's what scientists now argue: that the RDA for vitamin C is less than
half
>of what it should be. The problem, they say? That medical experts evaluate
this
>natural, critical nutrient in the same way they do drugs, which leads to
faulty
>conclusions.
>
>PLUS: Vitamin C's ability to prevent heart disease
>
>There is compelling evidence that the RDA of vitamin C should be raised to
200
>milligrams (mg) per day for adults. It stands at 75 and 90 mg a day now for
>women and men. Such optimum levels will saturate cells and tissues in a
strong
>antioxidant, without posing any risk. (Vitamin C is water soluble and is
easily
>shipping out of the body in urine when there is too much.)
>
>We might need a wakeup call based on the fact that many adults in the U.S.
and
>around the world are deficient in vitamin C. Plus, there is growing evidence
>that more of this vitamin could help prevent chronic disease.
>
>Testing vitamin C like a prescription drug won't demonstrate how certain
>natural substances can prevent disease. In fact, some benefits of
>micronutrients in protecting against disease are apparent only after years
or
>decades of study. Vitamin C could help reduce chronic diseases like heart
>disease, stroke, and cancer, and the underlying issues that lead to them --
>high blood pressure, inflammation, poor immune response, and clogged
arteries.
>
>A good diet with five to nine daily servings of fruits and raw or steam-
cooked
>vegetables, together with a six-ounce glass of orange juice, could provide
200
>mg of vitamin C. But we know the truth is that most of us don't follow a
good
>diet.
>
>As it stands, up to one-third of people are marginally deficient in vitamin
C,
>and up to 20% in some populations are severely deficient -- including
smokers
>and older adults. Even marginal deficiency can lead to malaise, fatigue, and
>lethargy. Meanwhile, strong levels of vitamin C can enhance immune function,
>reduce inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis, and significantly
lower
>blood pressure.
>
>A recent analysis of 29 studies concluded that 500 mg of vitamin C
>significantly reduced blood pressure. Another study of almost 20,000 men and
>women found that mortality from heart disease was 60% lower when comparing
the
>blood vitamin C in the highest 20% of people to the lowest 20%. Elsewhere,
it
>was found that men with the lowest levels had a 62% higher risk of cancer
>deaths after a dozen years.
>

Source:doctorshralthpress.com
Frei, B., et al., "Authors' Perspective: What is the Optimum
Intake of Vitamin C in Humans?" Critical Reviews in Food
Science and Nutrition, Sept. 2012; 52: 815-829.

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