nemo@rochester.UUCP (Wolfe) (12/06/85)
In article <2588@sunybcs.UUCP> ugzannin@sunybcs.UUCP (Adrian Zannin) writes: >> ++ >> > This answers the question, "How much Vitamin C does the body need?" >> > 250mg per day or 1-2g total is enough to make up for months of deficiency, >> > hence the answer is considerably less than this. >> > Craig Werner >... it seems that taking above the RDA of vitamin C for >extended periods of time (also for many short periods) can lead to quite >complicated kidney problems. > Adrian Zannin As best I recall from the newpapers, the kidney suffered only when true mega-doses of the stuff were taken, a la Pauling. The kidneys excrete excess vitamin C (and other water-soluble vitamins), which is why an over-dose of them seems less critical than one of an oil-soluble vitamin (like A). However, folks taking 3 grams or more per day were found to develope kidney problems (at least that is the ball park I remember). Does anyone know about the effects of chronic ingestion of 1 gram/day or the effects of short-term use of larger amounts? Nemo -- Internet: nemo@rochester.arpa UUCP: {decvax, allegra, seismo, cmcl2}!rochester!nemo Phone: [USA] (716) 275-5766 school 232-4690 home USMail: 104 Tremont Circle; Rochester, NY 14608 School: Department of Computer Science; University of Rochester; Rochester, NY 14627
steiny@scc.UUCP (Don Steiny) (12/11/85)
> > As best I recall from the newpapers, the kidney suffered only when true > mega-doses of the stuff were taken, a la Pauling. The kidneys excrete > excess vitamin C (and other water-soluble vitamins), which is why an > over-dose of them seems less critical than one of an oil-soluble vitamin > (like A). However, folks taking 3 grams or more per day were found to > develope kidney problems (at least that is the ball park I remember). > Nemo Which kidney problems? The newspaper articles I have read said that mega doses of C can cause kidney stones in some people. The reason is that the C causes the people to pass cholestorol which builds up in the kidneys. Some people have suggested that it is beneficial to pass the cholestorol. The problem is much less likely if you build up to large doses. -- scc!steiny Don Steiny @ Don Steiny Software 109 Torrey Pine Terrace Santa Cruz, Calif. 95060 (408) 425-0382
rwh@aesat.UUCP (Russ Herman) (12/14/85)
> Which kidney problems? The newspaper articles I have > read said that mega doses of C can cause kidney stones > in some people. The reason is that the C causes the people > to pass cholestorol which builds up in the kidneys. > Don Steiny > scc!steiny Kidney stones are NOT cholesterol. Two types can occur without obvious causes: calcium salts and uric acid, which comprise 75% of all stones. The other two are a magnesium salt and cystine. The latter is an amino acid, and the tendency to form these is part of a genetic defect. The reason that megadose Vitamin C is implicated in kidney stones is, simply, that it acidifies the urine. This decreases the solubility of uric acid, which often serves as a nucleating agent for crystals of the other types as well. It's *gallstones* that are composed of cholesterol. -- ______ Russ Herman / \ {allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!aesat!rwh @( ? ? )@ ( || ) The opinions above are strictly personal, and ( \__/ ) do not reflect those of my employer (or even \____/ possibly myself an hour from now.)
evan@pedsgo.UUCP (Evan Marcus) (12/30/85)
Organization : Concurrent Computer Corp. (a P-E subsidiary), Tinton Falls, NJ Keywords: In article <13733@rochester.UUCP> nemo@rochester.UUCP (Richard Newman-Wolfe) writes: >In article <2588@sunybcs.UUCP> ugzannin@sunybcs.UUCP (Adrian Zannin) writes: >>> ++ >>> > This answers the question, "How much Vitamin C does the body need?" >>> > 250mg per day or 1-2g total is enough to make up for months of deficiency, >>> > hence the answer is considerably less than this. >>> > Craig Werner >>... it seems that taking above the RDA of vitamin C for >>extended periods of time (also for many short periods) can lead to quite >>complicated kidney problems. >> Adrian Zannin >As best I recall from the newpapers, the kidney suffered only when true >mega-doses of the stuff were taken, a la Pauling. The kidneys excrete >excess vitamin C (and other water-soluble vitamins), which is why an >over-dose of them seems less critical than one of an oil-soluble vitamin >(like A). However, folks taking 3 grams or more per day were found to >develope kidney problems (at least that is the ball park I remember). >Does anyone know about the effects of chronic ingestion of 1 gram/day >or the effects of short-term use of larger amounts? >Nemo Personal experience: my Dad has taken at least 1g/day for years. He has suffered no known side effects, and is rarely sick. As for myself, I have been taking it on occasion for years. I, based on Dad's advice, take 2-3 grams once or twice a day for 2 or 3 days when I feel a cold coming on. No visible (known) side effects, and I usually kick my colds quite quickly. If Dad had his way, though, I would be taking 1 gram/day. -- NAME: Evan L. Marcus UUCP: ...vax135!petsd!pedsgd!pedsgo!evan USnail: CONCURRENT Computer Corporation (formerly Perkin-Elmer DSG) M/S 308, 106 Apple St., Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 MA BELL:(201) 758-7357 LIVE: "Hey, Evan" QUOTE: I don't trust any air if I can't see it.
marcum@sun.uucp (Alan Marcum) (01/10/86)
Something I've learned in my studies: there's a huge difference in the way
the body handles "natural" (i.e. from food) and "synthetic" (i.e. from a
vat) nutrients. Indeed, Vitamin C is Vitamin C is Vitamin C, regardless
of the source. However, in food, there are lots of things found along
with the Vitamin C -- things called "associated food factors."
Natural vitamins can be up to 4-10 times more useful to the body than
synthetic vitamins. In addition, excesses are disposed of differently.
A study was done, as follows (numbers are meant to be representative,
rather than precise). People were given, for example, 2G of Vitamin C --
some of the people were given synthetic, others were given natural
(extracted from foods). Let's say that their bodies could really use
only 1G, and so 1G was excreted. The doses were maintained for a while,
and then cut back to, for example, 1G. Those in the synthetic vitamin
group continued to excrete 1G for quite a while; those in the natural
vitamin group began retaining all the Vitamin C.
Regarding the fat soluable vitamins (eg. A, D, E), there is, again, a
great difference between a natural and a synthetic vitamin (even excluding
the left- vs. right-handed differences). It is possible to get an over-
dose of a synthetic fat-soluable vitamin. Indeed, the FDA, for a long
time, limited the amount of Vitamin A in a single tablet. Yet, there is
only one known case of Vitamin A toxicity with natural Vitamin A: someone
was stranded in Alaska, resorted to a diet of polar bear liver for a few
weeks, and had a slight case.
One last note, on "natural": many manufactures are claiming "natural" and
"organic" food supplements. According to the FDA and FTC in this matter
(natural and organic as applied to food supplements), "natural" means
something from nature (and so your great aunt's polyester pant suit is
a "natural" pant suit), and "organic" means in the chemical sense (i.e.
contains a carbon-based compound). The "natural" I reference above means
extracted from food -- concentrates, and such -- and excludes things such
as the ascorbic acid excreted by yeast when fed corn syrup ("Vitamin C
derived from corn").
--
Alan M. Marcum Sun Microsystems, Technical Consulting
...!{dual,ihnp4}!sun!nescorna!marcum Mountain View, Californiatedrick@ernie.BERKELEY.EDU (Tom Tedrick) (01/17/86)
>Regarding the fat soluable vitamins (eg. A, D, E), there is, again, a >great difference between a natural and a synthetic vitamin (even excluding >the left- vs. right-handed differences). It is possible to get an over- >dose of a synthetic fat-soluable vitamin. Indeed, the FDA, for a long >time, limited the amount of Vitamin A in a single tablet. Yet, there is >only one known case of Vitamin A toxicity with natural Vitamin A: someone >was stranded in Alaska, resorted to a diet of polar bear liver for a few >weeks, and had a slight case. I would like to know more about the dangers of taking too much Vitamin D. About Vitamin A: I once was taking a Vitamin A supplement regularly and seemed to have a problem with my skin as a consequence, such as skin on my lips cracking. Anyone know anything about this? Note: If Craig Werner replies, please don't call me an idiot or otherwise insult me as you have done in the past. I am not interested in your opinions of me personally, just some medical facts.
emjej@uokvax.UUCP (01/21/86)
The book *Chemicals We Eat* has, near its beginning, an interesting story about the crew of a fishing boat who suffered severe hypervitaminosis A from one evening's meal of a VERY large fish they had caught. I doubt seriously that anyone had injected it with "artificial" vitamin A. I can't recall the symptoms too accurately, but there was mention of effects on the fishermen's skin. (Understatement, fer shur; could someone with more info post the symptoms involved?) Said book is very much worth reading, by the way. Did you know that potato skins and peanuts are carcinogenic? "Socrates drank organically-grown hemlock" James Jones
ajs@hpfcla.UUCP (01/21/86)
> Did you know that potato skins and peanuts are carcinogenic?
No! Really? Not just the potential aflatoxins? Well, that's just one
straw too many... I shall continue to eat them, and let the cabbage and
brussel sprouts (reputed to be anti-carcinogenic) fight it out.
Alan "no more raw potatoes, anyway" Silversteinsmuga@mtuxo.UUCP (j.smuga) (01/23/86)
> > > Did you know that potato > skins and peanuts are carcinogenic? > > "Socrates drank organically-grown hemlock" > James Jones No; my mom always said to eat the potato skins "because that's where all the vitamins are." -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Janet Smuga I've had a great many troubles in my time, ihnp4!mtuxo!smuga and most of them never happened. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ron@brl-smoke.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (01/28/86)
> Said book is very much worth reading, by the way. Did you know that potato > skins and peanuts are carcinogenic? That's why I never eat them together.
jens@moscom.UUCP (Jens Fiederer) (01/31/86)
I have heard that to eat the liver of a polar bear is a sure way to die from a vitamin A overdose (supposedly one of the few poisonous parts of mammals...). Can anyone verify this (by documentation, not by experiment, please)? Azhrarn