Vitamin C: If it's Good For Gorillas Why Not Us?

Linus Pauling, twice a winner of the Nobel Prize warned for years that North Americans suffered from marginal scurvy. Humans and gorillas, unlike other animals, cannot manufacture vitamin C.  Pauling says, that’s why the ship’s cat, who could manufacture vitamin C, survived long sea voyages and sailors died.

Pauling believed that marginal scurvy can result in coronary attack. Vitamin C is required for your body to manufacture collagen.  Just as mortar holds bricks together, collagen is the glue that binds cells together. If the glue is faulty, cracks and rough edges occur in coronary arteries, setting the stage for atherosclerosis.  As well,  coronary arteries are under greater stress than other arteries since they are anatomically closer to the beating heart.  This constant pounding injures the arterial wall and triggers atherosclerosis. High cholesterol, is not the primary culprit of heart attack, says Pauling.

Also food for thought is why gorillas in captivity are given 5,000 mg of vitamin C daily.  Yet the recommended dose for humans is a mere 60mg!

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and fights the waste products of metabolism. This  helps to decrease the risk of aging problems. For instance, several studies show that vitamin C has a major effect in decreasing the risk of cataracts and also helps to fight arthritis.

Pauling died at 93 and took 18,000 mg of C daily. But such high doses can cause diarrhea, troublesome to some, so C is also a good laxative.

Dr. Gifford Jones (October 14th, 2007) Canada Free Press, Retreived from http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/372

A Few Of the Benefits of Vitamin C

• An antioxidant for the maintenance of good health
• Helps the body to metabolize fats
• Helps the body to metabolize proteins
• Helps in the development and maintenance of bones, cartilage, teeth and gums
• Helps in connective tissue formation or collagen formation
• Helps in wound healing
• Helps to prevent vitamin C deficiency

Disclaimer #1 : The statements regarding any of the products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this Web site, in emails, or in newsletters is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your physician or health care practitioner. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using any of these products. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your condition. To find a naturopathic doctor in Canada or the United States click on the respective country.

Innotech Nutrition Solutions, Dr. Gerry Bohemier, DC, or Body Charge Nutrition may have authored the presented information in whole or in part and therefore retain and reserve all copyright respectively.