1st Edition

Vitamin C Volume I

By Alan B. Clemetson Copyright 1989

    The factors affecting blood vitamin C levels are described in detail in this series. Many factors such as aging, smoking, infection, trauma, surgery, hemolysis, hormone administration, heavy metals, pregnancy, alcohol, ionizing radiation and several medicines have been found to cause a disturbance of ascorbic acid metabolism and to reduce blood vitamin C levels. Indeed, abnormalities of ascorbic acid metabolism, due to factors such as smoking, occur much more frequently than does dietary vitamin C deficiency today.It is now known that low blood vitamin C levels are associated with histaminemia (high blood histamine levels), and also that ascorbate-responsive histaminemia is common in apparently healthy people. High blood histamine levels are believed to cause small hemorrhages within the inner walls of the blood vessels and these may lead to the deposition of cholesterol, as an aberrant form of wound healing. Ascorbic acid not only reduces blood histamine levels, but also aids the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids in the liver. The clinical pathological and chemical changes observed in ascorbic acid deficiency are discussed in detail. Several diseases and disorders associated with low blood vitamin C levels are also described. Possible toxic effects resulting from the oxidation of ascorbic acid are noted, and reasons for the use of D-catechin or other chelating fiber to prevent or minimize the release of ascorbate-free radical are detailed. An excellent reference for physicians, nutritionists and other scientists

    Part 1: Vitamin Defficiency 1. Classical Survey; A Historical Review 2. Chronic Subclinical Ascorbic Acid Deficiency Part 2: Factors Affecting The Economy Of Ascorbic Acid 3. Inadequate Ascorbic Acid Intake 4. Smoking 5. Aging 6. Sex 7. Menstrual Cycle, Estrus Cycle, Ovulation 8. Infection 9. Trauma, surgery, and Burns 10. Heavy Metals, Water Supplies: Copper, Iron, Manganese, Mercury, and Cobalt 11. Bioflavonoids 12. Dietary Protein 13. Hormone Administration: Birth control Pills 14. Pregnancy 15. Haemolysis 16. Stress and the Pituitary-Adrenal System 17. Lack of Sleep 18. Time of Day 19. Season 20. Achlorhydria 21. Ionizing Radiation 22. Aspirin and Salicylates 23. Alcohol 24. Other Factors Affecting Ascorbic Acid Needs

    Biography

    Alan B. Clemetson