The vitamin C controversy is resolved

Unscientific medical research may condemn millions to death. In their recent book Ascorbate: The Science of Vitamin C, pharmacology professors Steve Hickey and Hilary Roberts describe the background science needed to understand the Vitamin C controversy and propose a new theory. Based on the evidence presented, Dr. Hickey has demanded that the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Linus Pauling Institute urgently revise their suggested recommended dietary allowance (RDA).

(PRWEB) June 27, 2004 -- The relationship between vitamin C and health has been controversial for decades. Many influential scientists, including double Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling, argued that ascorbate could prevent or cure serious diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and infections. Conventional experts disagreed, disparaging supplements in favor of fruits and vegetables.

In their recent book Ascorbate: The Science of Vitamin C, pharmacology professors Steve Hickey and Hilary Roberts describe the background science needed to understand the controversy.

Using basic scientific principles, the book shows how the research underlying the establishment disdain of vitamin supplementation is both misleading and flawed. The recommendation that supplements are redundant if the person consumes five daily portions of fruit and vegetables is based on a misinterpretation of this research. Indeed, over the last half a century, medical research into vitamin C has frequently been hindered by failure to understand how the vitamin is used by the body. This re-evaluation of the evidence leads to a new theory, the dynamic flow model, for the action of this vitamin. In the light of the new model, the vitamin C controversy is resolved.

At first sight, the claims for vitamin C in heart disease, infection and cancer appear astonishing. However, the claimed benefits have a scientific basis and demand to be considered seriously. The difference between nutritional supplementation and therapeutic use of ascorbate (vitamin C) is made clear.

The dynamic flow model indicates that, for good health, an optimal nutritional strategy is to take repeated doses of vitamin C throughout the day: say a gram with every meal. The book describes an updated regimen for prevention and treatment of heart disease, called antioxidant network therapy; this needs to be tested experimentally as a matter of urgency. The authors also explain the scientific basis of ascorbate treatments for cancer, which are potentially curative.

The failure of the medical establishment to perform critical follow-up experiments may have resulted in much suffering and countless deaths. As Dr Hickey says, "If this book doesn't shock you, you haven't understood it". For this reason, the book lists the essential experiments necessary to restore respectability to the scientific evaluation of vitamin C. If even a few of the hypotheses are confirmed, readers will understand why double Nobel Prize winner Dr Linus Pauling was prepared to stake his scientific reputation on ascorbate.

Based on the evidence presented, Dr. Hickey has demanded that the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Linus Pauling Institute urgently revise their suggested recommended dietary allowance (RDA).

Book details:

Ascorbate: The Science of Vitamin C, by Steve Hickey and Hilary Roberts (1-4116-0724-4, Trade paperback, 264 pp, 6 x 9, $28.72).

Barnes and Noble: HYPERLINK http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=pi62NSuzIV&isbn=1411607244&itm=1

Online download: HYPERLINK http://www.lulu.com/ascorbate

CONTACT:   
Owen R. Fonorow
630-416-1438
www.VitaminCFoundation.org

Text of this release available at http://www.vitamincfoundation.org/hickey/index.htm