Although I have tried long periods of high intake of vitamin C, laevo-ascorbic acid, of both natural and manufactured sources, I have found that it gives little advantage over the benefits of a balanced diet with vitamin C-containing foods.
Throughout my studies toward advanced degrees, I came to mistrust the conclusions of Linus Pauling in every area that his self-promoting (but persuasive) theories touched. Particularly, he concluded and endorsed the concept that everyone would be benefitted by large and regular superdoses of vitamin C, and it became a widely accepted recommendation.
However, medical literature showed that elevated blood acidity could, and did, affect the onset of seizures for individuals experiencing ideopathic epilepsy, hence I was very sure that extremely large doses of ascorbic acid--which shows up in the blood--could be a very unacceptable result of following Pauling's advice that such overdosing would be beneficial for everyone, which he offered without any demurrers.
To my thinking. Linus Pauling was one of the biggest and most damaging B(aloney) S(hoot)ers found in the annals of post-Einstein modern quantum chemistry.
Foods (oranges, apples, cabbage, sauerkraut) bearing enough nutrients to prevent scurvy is enough vitamin C intake, IMHO.
(And be a bit leery of the resveratrol content of Concord-type grape juice beverages, for some reason not mentioned here, though currently a popular topic. Ordinary non-alcoholic blood of the vine ought to supply enough that you will ever need.)
I think “everything in moderation” is the way to go.
But regarding Vitamin C, they are discovering that it’s good for you afterall.
Regarding Linus Pauling, I think you need to assess him based on his epoch. At that time people didn’t know about vitamins and his discovery that vitamin C is good for your was indeed a great discovery.
I don’t quite know what drove him to become a “peace” activist though... just found out, it was his wife! — was just reading his bio in Wikipaedia. Also looks like he was taken in by the communist propaganda.
But he was right about the vitamin C, though.
A current article:
Vitamin C linked to reduced risk of stroke
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272741.php
“A study due to be presented at a conference later this year suggests that eating foods containing vitamin C, such as oranges, peppers, strawberries, papaya and broccoli, may be linked to a reduced risk for hemorrhagic stroke.”
Rachel Carson comes to mind also.