<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
FYI ONLY. I am not interested in beginning a lengthy debate on the
pros and cons of taking high does of vitamin C. This is meant for
your information only. If anyone else wants to present other
information, please feel free to do so. You can find any point of
view you want with a Google search. Reasoned decisions based on
individual situations and nutritional requirements should be
made--nutritional needs may change over time.
RE: Vitamin C, in doses of 1000 mg 2 or 3 x daily (2,000 - 3,000
mg), or more, if needed, Suggested as a laxative in the summary
posted on June 5, 2005.
Listmates:
Please talk with your primary physician/gastroenterologist before
taking any large dose of Vitamin C. Large doses of vitamin C may
contribute to kidney stone development resulting in actual bone loss
in some persons. Bone loss is something that you do not want to
happen with celiac disease. Reports of tooth enamel erosion and
vitamin B 12 deficiency are in the literature and need further
evaluation--these could be undesirable in celiacs. The Linus Pauling
Institute's at The University of Oregon review below does address the
recommendation that a 2000 mg dose as the tolerable limit for vitamin
C. A lot needs further study on the benefits and risks of high doses
of vitamin C, particularly in the celiac disease population.
I am posting the message about vitamin C to the list as it is a large
does and can cause problems that related to bone health. I am adding
the American Cancer Society's recommendation and the section that
deals with the kidney stones. You can find many entries on the
Internet related to a variety of points of view. I have included two
below. The Linus Pauling Institute's review has many links and
references.
For constipation, I would resort to the other remedies. Taking
vitamin C for the toxic effect of diarrhea would not be my choice. I
make my primary source of vitamin C fresh fruits and vegetables--they
add fiber to my diet too.
Betsy
Austin, Texas
1. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminC/index.html
A comprehensive review of vitamin C from The Linus Pauling
Institute's Micronutrient Information Center at The University of
Oregon. This review has an extensive bibliography and links to a
variety of sources. Research has been done on appropriate dosages
and individual differences in the absorption of vitamin C.
SAFETY: Toxicity
A number of possible problems with very large doses of vitamin C have
been suggested, mainly based on in vitro experiments or isolated
case reports, including: genetic mutations, birth defects, cancer,
atherosclerosis, kidney stones, "rebound scurvy", increased
oxidative stress, excess iron absorption, vitamin B-12 deficiency,
and erosion of dental enamel. However, none of these adverse health
effects have been confirmed, and there is no reliable scientific
evidence that large amounts of vitamin C (up to 10 grams/day in
adults) are toxic or detrimental to health. With the latest RDA
published in 2000, a tolerable upper intake level (UL) for vitamin C
was set for the first time. A UL of 2 grams (2,000 milligrams) daily
was recommended in order to prevent most adults from experiencing
diarrhea and gastrointestinal disturbances (6).
2.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Experts_Propose_Increase_in_the_Recommended_Daily_Allowance_of_Vitamin_C_to_Lower_Cancer_Risk.asp
Experts Propose Increase in the Recommended Daily Allowance of
Vitamin C to Lower Cancer Risk: Article date: 1999/07/23
July 23, 1999 - Federal experts are proposing the recommended daily
allowance (RDA) for vitamin C be increased from 60 milligrams to 200
milligrams to lower the risk of cancer and other diseases. The
increase, experts say, should come from fruits and vegetables and not
from supplements. Mark Levine, MD, chief of the molecular and
clinical nutrition section at the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases in Bethesda, Md., and colleagues
reviewed the role of vitamin C in body functions to make the new
recommendations.
Studies have found consuming at least 200 milligrams daily of vitamin
C--in the form of fruits and vegetables--is associated with a lower
cancer risk, particularly for cancers of the oral cavity, esophagus,
stomach, colon, and lung, according to Dr. Levine. Taking vitamin C
supplements, however, does not appear to decrease the incidence of
cancer. The body does not absorb vitamin C from supplements as well
as from food sources of the vitamin. In addition, taking megadoses of
the vitamin--more than 1,000 milligrams (or 1 gram) daily--can cause
adverse effects such as kidney stones and diarrhea.
*Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the Celiac List*
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