In a study in the Journal of Epidemiology (May, 1992) a report indicated that people who have high blood levels of vitamin C live SIX years longer than those who have lower blood levels! The Vitamin C Foundation states: “The optimum intake is likely to be in the region of 1,000 mg (1 gram) to 10,000 mg (10 grams) per day. If you are in the grips of cardiovascular disease, an infectious or immune system disease, or cancer the ideal level may be much higher. If you drink excessive amounts of alcohol, live in a polluted city, have a stressful lifestyle, take drugs including aspirin, or smoke, your optimal intake will again be raised. An intake of 200 to 300 mg of vitamin C per day is required to raise the average smoker’s vitamin C level to that of a non-smoker. An intake of around 50 mg per cigarette probably affords maximum protection. Albert Szent Gyorgi, who isolated vitamin C in 1928, recommends 1 gram daily. Dr. Michael Colgan takes 5 grams daily. Dr. Linus Pauling takes 10 to 18 grams daily.”
I, personally, take 3 grams of vitamin C daily! Why? Because studies show that Vitamin C, even in so called “mega-dosesâ€? help support your overall health. In his article, “Vitamin C: How Much Is Enough?” Patrick Holford states, “The immune system depends on having healthy immune cells and associated molecules such as antibodies. Vitamin C is essential for both. Antibody production increases on supplementing 1 gram of vitamin C. It is also needed for interferon, complement, and prostaglandin production, and is essential for the proper function of immune cells such as lymphocytes and leukocytes. A recent study showed, in the test tube, that vitamin C can even inactivate the HIV virus. Thanks to the work of Linus Pauling and his co-workers we know that 10 grams of vitamin C doubles the life expectancy of cancer patients, and, in some cases effects a complete cure. It’s role is even more pivotal in cardiovascular disease, which is now being postulated as the long-term consequence of vitamin C deficiency. Just about every marker of cardiovascular disease: arterial damage, high blood cholesterol levels, low HDL levels, high levels of oxidized cholesterol, and thick blood are all improved by adequate vitamin C intake at levels up to 10 grams a day. Vitamin C increases resistance to stress, lessens allergic reactions, helps arthritic conditions, slows down the aging process and improves energy production. Beneficial effects of vitamin C in human trials tend to increase with the amount given up to, and above, 10 grams per day. On the basis of research into vitamin C’s effect on disease states it would appear that an intake of somewhere between 1 and 10 grams may be optimal simply for maintaining optimal function of the immune, endocrine and cardiovascular system.”
The US RDA for vitamin C is only about 90mg… this is FAR short of the optimum amount needed to act as an antioxidant, benefit heart function and support overall health. I would encourage you to consider taking additional vitamin C to support your own good health and well-being!