Vitamin C - Ascorbic acid
Facts you must know
Ascorbic acid is the most important water-soluble antioxidant in the body. If taken in therapeutic doses, it has antihistaminical, antibiotical and antiviral effects. In order for these to work, blood levels must be kept high consistently (half life: 30 min) by taking it regularly several times a day. After a few weeks every cell in the body has had a chance to get the needed amount, and also thew connective tissue has got its share by means of diffusion.
Ascorbic acid is of special value in dealing with stress, in the energy production of the mitochondria and in breaking down cholesterol molecules. It plays a role in literally hundreds of chemical processes in the body. More information here.
How to use it
Start by taking about 20 g per day, in divided doses of 5 g, taken in water. If you do not notice any loose bowel effect, increase the amount by 5 g every day until the bowel tolerance level is reached (=loose stools, winds). Then reduce. The body will need different amounts in different situations of health and sickness. When you feel an oncoming illness, such as a flu, immediately start taking 8 g every 20 minutes for 3 hours, then reduce and continue taking every 4 hours. More tips on dosage here.
Usage information:
Ascorbic acid tastes like lemon juice. If you mix it with almost half the amount of bicarbonate you have a fizzy drink and it will taste almost neutral.
Health information:
Even when taken in extreme dosage (over 200 g per day have been reported) there are no negative side effects whatsoever, except for the above mentioned loose bowels. As a positive side effect, you will never from obstipation if you take ascorbic acid regularly.
Shopping information:
Pure ascorbic acid can be bought in pharmacies for 2-3 Euro per 100 g (in Germany). On the internet larger packages are available (of the same quality) for as low as 0.60 Euro per 100 g. The same holds for sodium bicarbonate.
Internet recommendations
www.doctoryourself.com
www.orthomolecular.org
Book recommendations
Steve Hickey, Andrew W. Saul: Vitamin C: The Real Story
Linus Pauling: How to Live Longer and Feel Better
Andrew W. Saul: Doctor Yourself: Natural Healing That Works (2. Aufl. 2012)
Abram Hoffer, Andrew W. Saul: Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone: Megavitamin Therapeutics for Families and Physicians (2008)
Please read this important note on health subjects.