A pilot study to ascertain
carotid artery status in high
potency vitamin C supplement takers
by Paul Wand, M.D. Neurologist
Atherosclerosis is an insidious disease that begins in youth, but often accelerates as humans age resulting in the manifestation of cardiovascular disease. 1,2,92,93 Vitamin C has been explored as an agent that may pro- tect against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. 3-14 The most significant finding came from a published study involving 11,348 adults over a 10 year period. This study showed that males taking the highest amount of vitamin C had a 45% reduction in all cause mortality, a 22% reduction in cancer incidence and a 42% reduction in heart attack risk.15
An in-depth analysis of published studies on vitamin C and cardiovascular disease, however, makes it difficult for the vitamin C user to extrapolate how the results may apply to them individually. For instance, some studies define high-dose as only 250-500 mg a day of vitamin C, 16-19 whereas the serious vitamin user often consumes between 2,000 and 12,000 mg a day of vitamin C.
To put this into perspective, we conducted a Medline search to evaluate published studies showing the effects on humans of various doses of vitamin C as it related to any parameter of cardiovascular disease risk. This database search covered the time period of January 1, 1990 to April 25, 2000. Table 1 reveals the results of this search as it relates to vitamin C dosage and cardiovascular risk factors.
Table 1. Effects of Vitamin C on Cardiovascular Disease Risk1 study showed favorable response when under 500 mg was administered 53 30 studies showed favorable response when over 500 mg was administered 54-83 3 studies showed no response when under 500 mg was administered 84-86 4 studies showed no response when over 500 mg was administered 87-90
Based on the published literature over the last ten years, it would appear that higher potency vitamin C supplements have some effect in reducing cardiovascular disease risk, whereas potencies lower than 500 mg a day may have no effect. It is important to note that the human studies presented on Table 1 on the following page do not include the published molecular research of Linus Pauling, Matthias Rath and others who are largely responsible for convincing health conscious people that supplementation with greater than 2000 mg a day of vitamin C reduces cardiovascular disease risk. More on the research of Linus Pauling, et al will appea
carotid artery status in high
potency vitamin C supplement takers
by Paul Wand, M.D. Neurologist
Atherosclerosis is an insidious disease that begins in youth, but often accelerates as humans age resulting in the manifestation of cardiovascular disease. 1,2,92,93 Vitamin C has been explored as an agent that may pro- tect against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. 3-14 The most significant finding came from a published study involving 11,348 adults over a 10 year period. This study showed that males taking the highest amount of vitamin C had a 45% reduction in all cause mortality, a 22% reduction in cancer incidence and a 42% reduction in heart attack risk.15
An in-depth analysis of published studies on vitamin C and cardiovascular disease, however, makes it difficult for the vitamin C user to extrapolate how the results may apply to them individually. For instance, some studies define high-dose as only 250-500 mg a day of vitamin C, 16-19 whereas the serious vitamin user often consumes between 2,000 and 12,000 mg a day of vitamin C.
To put this into perspective, we conducted a Medline search to evaluate published studies showing the effects on humans of various doses of vitamin C as it related to any parameter of cardiovascular disease risk. This database search covered the time period of January 1, 1990 to April 25, 2000. Table 1 reveals the results of this search as it relates to vitamin C dosage and cardiovascular risk factors.
Table 1. Effects of Vitamin C on Cardiovascular Disease Risk1 study showed favorable response when under 500 mg was administered 53 30 studies showed favorable response when over 500 mg was administered 54-83 3 studies showed no response when under 500 mg was administered 84-86 4 studies showed no response when over 500 mg was administered 87-90
Based on the published literature over the last ten years, it would appear that higher potency vitamin C supplements have some effect in reducing cardiovascular disease risk, whereas potencies lower than 500 mg a day may have no effect. It is important to note that the human studies presented on Table 1 on the following page do not include the published molecular research of Linus Pauling, Matthias Rath and others who are largely responsible for convincing health conscious people that supplementation with greater than 2000 mg a day of vitamin C reduces cardiovascular disease risk. More on the research of Linus Pauling, et al will appea