Note: All Life
Extension Vitamin C products contain only pharmaceutical-grade ascorbic acid or
ascorbates. Chinese vitamin C (lead and other
contaminates are characteristic of Chinese varieties) is not permitted in
Life Extension brand vitamin C. More vitamin C is contained in the adrenal glands than any other organ in the body and is required at higher levels during times of
stress. Physical stresses on the body such as ingestion of heavy metals, cigarette
smoking, infections, extreme temperatures, and chronic use of certain medications such as aspirin also signal the need for increased intake of vitamin
C.
Along with ascorbic acid, vitamin C also comes in at least two other forms: chemically bonded to minerals as ascorbates
(referred by some as ester C - see Dr. Cathcart below), and as the
fat-soluble ascorbyl palmitate.
Both of these forms are non-acidic.
Concerning Ester C
According to Robert Cathcart, MD, a physician with vast experience with high dose vitamin C protocols, mineral ascorbates
(ester) are generally not as effective therapeutically as ascorbic acid:
"...it was not entirely clear that the dramatic effects are always with ascorbic acid orally and sodium ascorbate intravenously. I have not been able to achieve the ascorbate effect with mineral ascorbates orally.
Mineral ascorbates are fine forms of vitamin C but the mitochondria are failing in their refueling of the free radical scavengers with electrons.
Ascorbic acid carries 2 extra electrons per molecule where the mineral ascorbates seem to carry only one (plus per molecule the mineral ascorbates are heavier due to the mineral weighing more than the hydrogen the mineral replaces).
So, the mineral ascorbates are not potent enough to accomplish the ascorbate effect.
There may be other reasons that we do not appreciate additionally." Robert Cathcart, III, MD.
The first clinical experiment with vitamin C
dates back to the 1750's when a British doctor put limes, which for foodstuffs
are rich in vitamin C, in the rations of a group of sailors. He then compared
this group to another group that received the same rations but without limes.
The limeless group developed scurvy (non-healing wounds, bleeding gums, rough skin, and
muscle atrophy). The lime group did not get scurvy and became known
as "limeys" because they took limes with them on long voyages.
Robert Fulton Cathcart III, M.D., has more clinical experience with vitamin C than probably anyone else.
In the
early 1970's after reading one of Dr. Linus
Pauling's book, Dr. Cathcart decided to give up his practice as an orthopedic
surgeon and become a general practitioner concerned with varying doses of vitamin
C and its relationship to human health. By 1981, he was able to report
his observations on 9,000 patients he treated with vitamin C.
Like so many of the other vitamins, it is water soluble (your body
stores it for a short period of time). We can increase the blood levels by taking it
throughout the day, everyday. Dr. Cathcart found that we all have a bowel
tolerance limit of vitamin C (the onset of diarrhea). His patients who had very
low blood levels of vitamin C (the severely ill) could tolerate more than 200
gms. (not mgs.) per day before the onset of diarrhea. As the patients' illnesses
improved, the amount of vitamin C could be lowered because of the increased
levels of it in the blood (serum level). The amount would then be lowered toward
the normal 3-15 gm. per day range.
Your bowel tolerance limit is your barometer of vitamin C intake. Of course,
water
consumption (distilled or reverse osmosis . . . such that you urinate every
three hours) is highly recommended, even if you do not induce diarrhea with
vitamin C. Soft drinks and coffee provide water but add calories, caffeine,
sugar, and an acid ph. Most foods have water content as do fruit juices but,
because of the extra calories, do not rely on them to quench your thirst.
Vitamin C has been researched extensively concerning
connective tissue strength (tendons, ligaments, arterial, and vein
strength). Vitamin C is crucial for the proper function of the enzyme
protocollagen hydroxylase. Protocollagen hydroxylase produces collagen, the primary constituent of
the granulation tissue and the key component in blood vessel
walls. Vitamin C must be replenished daily since it is water-soluble, and any excess is excreted rather than
stored. The scientific literature is replete with information recommending
Vitamin C in amounts of at least 3 grams per day (divided
doses throughout the day are best). Less than 3 grams per day consumption
does not show significant benefits.
Life Extension Mix contains
Vitamin C
Life Extension Mix contains the most diverse group of vitamin C compounds ever put
into a multi-nutrient formula. Four different forms of vitamin C are
contained in Life Extension Mix, including three forms of water soluble vitamin C and the
critically important fat soluble vitamin C compound, ascorbyl palmitate.
Pharmaceutical grade vitamin C and ascorbyl palmitate by Roche Laboratories are used in
Life Extension Mix because of the extraordinary quality control Roche exercises in
producing all its vitamin C products. Roche engages in 18 different purification processes
in producing vitamin C powders in order to remove all traces of toxic by-products such as
iron, cadmium and arsenic. There are companies that fail to follow this kind of
stringent purification protocol, selling vitamin C at far cheaper prices, but
you'll never find this kind of substandard vitamin C in any product recommended by
SmartBodyz Nutrition or The Life Extension Foundation.
