Vitamin C Treatment of Viruses Part I of II

Vitamin C Treatment of Viruses Part I of II

The existing data from many decades of studies show that oral Vitamin C is effective at both high and low doses in preventing viral and bacterial infections.   Because the level of vitamin C in the body varies according to the level of oxidative stress, the amount of vitamin C absorbed by the gut also varies.  Capsules of ascorbic acid or crystals of ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbate dissolved in water or juice can be used at doses of 200 mg. to 10,000 mg. per day.  The upper limit for an oral dose is “bowel tolerance” – the level above which the dose is not absorbed in the gut and causes a laxative effect.

Many people can tolerate 1,000-3,000 mg. per day in divided oral doses, which can maintain a relatively constant level of vitamin C in the bloodstream.  A relatively high level of vitamin C maintained throughout the body is thought to lower the risk of viral infection by assisting the immune system in detecting and destroying foreign microbes such as viruses.

Liposomal vitamin C binds directly to the gut cells, so it doesn’t require active transport.  This makes the maximum level achievable with oral liposomal vitamin C higher than for regular vitamin C.  Both forms can be taken together to increase the level in the bloodstream higher than either oral form alone.

Terry Pfau DO, HMD