ASK DOCTOR MARTY NEWSLETTER
2015
Welcome to the monthly Ask Dr. Marty Newsletter. It is based on questions that I receive regarding natural health topics. I hope you enjoy the newsletter and will forward any questions you may have as well.
QUESTION: Turnabout’s fair play. I get to ask the question this month. Be prepared. It’s a long one. It’ll test your vitamin IQ.
According to clinical trials, which vitamin:
- Stimulates the production of lymphocytes and increases the mobility of phagocytes (Both are important parts of the immune system.);
- Feeds the thymus gland, which is also a big part of the immune system;
- Inactivates a wide variety of bacteria and viruses;
- Can reduce the severity and shorten the duration of respiratory infections;
- Significantly reduces the symptoms of allergies and asthma;
- Allows the adrenal glands to produce hormones, including the hormones that reduce stress;
- Is needed for the production of collagen, which is important for growth and repair of tissues like bones and cartilage;
- Can reduce recovery time after injury or surgery by 50-70%, depending on the amount taken;
- Can reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol;
- Is needed for the body to assimilate folic acid, iron from vegetables, and selenium, a mineral that is associated with the prevention of cancer.);
- A major antioxidant, preventing free radical damage, which is associated with degenerative disease and preventing the oxidation of cholesterol, which appears to be more important than just cholesterol numbers;
- According to a clinical trial by Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling, can inhibit the growth of Leukemia cells by up to 20%;
- Can enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy in killing cancerous cells;
- Is recommended by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society as a cancer preventative;
- Can reduce high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries (risk factors for heart attack and stroke);
- Blocks the conversion of nitrates and nitrites in bacon, ham, sausage and hot dogs to cancer-causing nitrosamines; and
- Is associated with a reduced risk of cancer of the stomach, bladder, colon, lungs, uterus and esophagus.I WARNED YOU IT WAS LONG.ANSWER: For those of you who guessed vitamin C, you are right. Humble, simple, inexpensive vitamin C. Pretty impressive list, isn’t it? I often hear the question regarding how much vitamin C to take. The answer is different for everyone and different for every individual, depending on stress levels at the time. Stress can use up vitamin C like greased lightning. Did you hear my southern accent on that one? Stress can be the emotional variety. We’re all familiar with tight schedules, changes (good or bad), and interpersonal conflicts. But stress can be physical, as well. Wounds, injuries, smoking, some medications like birth control pills, and surgeries are all stress on the body and can use up massive amounts of vitamin C. Back to the question. The best way to tell how much vitamin C to take is to do the bowel tolerance test. Start out taking a supplement in the smallest dose possible in the morning. On day 2, add another pill to the dosage, so it’s one in the morning and one in the evening. Every day add one more pill to the amount, always stretching out the dose as much as possible during the day until your bowels are a little loose. At that point you know you’ve gone one step too far. Back down to the prior dose for your ideal amount. During extreme periods of stress, I’ve seen some people need 10,000mg. The reason to stretch out the dose as much as possible is that Vitamin C is water soluble, meaning it is not stored in fat, so it must be consumed regularly.Even more importantly, what kind of vitamin C is best? If you take large amounts of regular vitamin C, you run the risk of developing mouth ulcers from the excess acid. I prefer a vitamin C with citrus bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids make the vitamin C more potent and reduce the acidity. That’s a good thing since most of us are overly acid. Bioflonoids are antioxidant compounds found in the white pulp just inside the skin in citrus fruits. Rose hips are an alkaline form of natural vitamin C and can also be a good source. Vitamin C with rose hips almost always has so little rose hips in the supplement. Don’t bother. A natural vitamin is always recognized by the body better and absorbed better than a chemical vitamin.You may be curious about the symptoms of a vitamin C shortage. Even slight shortages can result in muscle weakness, joint and muscle pain, fatigue and irritability. Have I started a few wheels turning out there? I hope so. Hot Tip: For more information on acidity, checkout my newsletter on pH.Next month…Taking medications – what you need to know*******
- “Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12
- It is always wise to advise your pharmacist or health care practitioner about any change in diet or supplements you plan to take, especially if you take any prescription medication.
- Maureen (Marty) Kernion is not a physician and does not diagnose nor prescribe. She received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Louisiana State University, and a Master of Science degree and Doctorate of Natural Health degree from Clayton College of Natural Health. She is the author of Going Natural with Herbs and co-authored True Health Series:Energy. Marty lectures on natural health topics across the country and has been featured at 78 Barnes and Noble book stores since her first book was published. She is also a retired professor, specializing in courses in nutrition and herbal remedies.
Ask Doctor Marty 