High C
A recent study confirmed what many physicians like Dr. Wright have believed for a long time: High doses of vitamin C can significantly lower your risk of heart disease.
A team of researchers gathered data from nine studies that included intake of vitamin E, carotenoids, and vitamin C, with a 10-year follow-up to check for coronary disease. Apparently, dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins was only weakly related to reduced incidents of coronary heart disease, but subjects who took more than 700 mg of vitamin C daily in supplement form reduced their risk by 25 percent compared to those who took no supplements.
This research follows another study released last year showing that vitamin C appears to lower levels of C-reactive protein, which is showing signs of being a better predictor of heart disease than cholesterol levels.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat your fruits and veggies. But it does mean that the value of taking high daily doses of vitamin C does more for you than just boost your resistance against the common cold. Study upon study is showing that it could very well protect you against some of the top killers such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
How much is enough, you ask? Dr. Wright often advises his clients to use the “bowel tolerance method” to make an individual determination of the right dose. Just increase your daily dosage gradually over the span of a few days or weeks until you start experiencing excess gas or loose bowels. Then, taper back slightly to alleviate those symptoms and you’ve arrived at your personal vitamin C requirement.
Dr. Wright says most of his patients find their tolerance level to be 3 to 6 grams a day. Of course, when you get sick, your tolerance point will likely increase — possibly to as much as 20 to 30 grams a day.
Bear in mind that vitamin C is water soluble and is used up rapidly by your body. It is most effective when you spread out your daily requirement and take it in several doses throughout the day.
One precaution: If you’ve had calcium oxalate kidney stones or a family history of them, you should limit your vitamin C intake to 1 gram per day, unless you’re working with a physician. There’s a chance that vitamin C can increase oxalate production. Also, if you’ve ever had kidney failure, you should consult your doctor before taking vitamin C.
Sweet relief for sinus symptoms
Q: I have battled recurrent sinus infections for as long as I can remember. Recently a fellow sinus sufferer started using a nasal spray containing xylitol with amazing results. I always thought that xylitol was a sugar substitute found mostly in gum. Can you shed some light on this for me?
JVW: Xylitol has been used as a substitute for table sugar, sucrose, since the 60s. But xylitol is one sugar that does more good than harm.
Xylitol is produced in small amounts in the human body, but is mostly manufactured from plant matter like nutshells and hard wood trees.
What distinguishes xylitol from other sugars is that it inhibits the growth of bacteria, while others promote it. Initial studies showed xylitol’s ability to inhibit the growth of streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that causes cavities, which is why there is a form of it commonly found in gum, candy, and mints.
This difference also prompted researchers to study its use on streptococcus pneumoniae, the bacteria causing most middle ear and sinus infections. Studies have supported xylitol’s benefits in preventing these infections and reducing the need for antibiotics.
Basically, xylitol works by not allowing bacteria to “stick” to the nasal passages and stimulating natural nasal drainage. It’s also used successfully for allergies and asthma. The nasal spray product that I recommend is called Xlear (pronounced Klear) and may be available at your local health food store or from a compounding pharmacy. (I am connected with this product, as we sell it at the Tahoma Dispensary as well.)
Who is…Linus Pauling?
Few of us will ever rack up the number of accomplishments achieved by Linus Pauling in his 93 years on earth. In fact, he remains the only person who has ever collected two unshared Nobel Prizes, one for Science and one for Peace.
In nutritional medicine circles, he is widely regarded as the father of orthomolecular medicine. He believed strongly in the use of nutrients as means to achieve health, prolong life, and provide inexpensive, readily available, and nontoxic alternatives to drugs. Vitamin C was the cornerstone of his regimen for better health.
He contended that it was effective in combating the flu, cancer, cardiovascular disease, infections, and degenerative problems in the aging process. He later added vitamins B and E to his list, and spent the last part of his lengthy career conducting research and education in nutritional medicine. Although his work drew more than its fair share of detractors — and even accusations of quackery — his theories are gradually being proven true in studies over the last 30 years.
Sources:
Knekt P, et al. “Antioxidant vitamins and coronary heart disease risk: a pooled analysis of 9 cohorts.” Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 80(6): 1,508-1,520.
Block G, Jensen C, Dietrich M, Norkus EP, Hudes M, Packer L. “C-reactive protein concentrations in active and passive smokers: influence of antioxidant supplementation.” J Am Coll Nutr 2004; 23(2): 141-147
Tapiainen T, Sormunen R, Kaijalainen T, Kontiokari T, Ikaheimo I, Uhari M. “Ultrastructure of Streptococcus pneumoniae after exposure to xylitol,” J Antimicrob Chemother 2004; 54(1): 225-228
Miake Y, Saeki Y, Takahashi M, Yanagisawa T. “Remineralization effects of xylitol on demineralized enamel.” J Electron Microsc (Tokyo) 2003; 52(5): 471-476
