Dietary vitamin C intake protects against COPD: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2012 (also restores function)

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. ^ | 2016 Oct 31 | Many

[ConservativeMind]

Introduction

Antioxidant deficiency contributes to develop and aggravate various chronic diseases, including COPD which is sensitive to oxidative stress. Supplementation with vitamin C, as an antioxidant, improves antioxidant status in COPD.1 Several epidemiologic studies and prospective studies revealed protective effects of vitamin C intake on COPD. Vitamin C has symptom-relieving effects on the exacerbation of COPD. In addition, it improves pulmonary function in COPD. Moreover, a recent animal study has revealed that supplementation with vitamin C not only prevents the development of COPD but also restores the lung function in COPD subjects.

(Snip)

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbate or L-ascorbic acid) has antioxidant properties, and plays significant roles in the immune system including allergic reaction, maintenance of connective tissue, and even tumor suppression. Low levels of vitamin C have been associated with significantly more wheezing, dyspnea, and exacerbation of COPD. Dietary vitamin C has also been shown to lower oxidative stress, increase collagen synthesis, and restore vascular endothelial growth factor levels and proliferation of alveolar cells in the lungs. Extensive studies have shown that vitamin C intake provides protection against the development of COPD. Our results corroborate the findings of these studies.

The results obtained by this study are extremely significant, as this study represents almost half of the total Korean population (n=23,541,704). Joshi et al have previously revealed the effect of dietary antioxidants on COPD in Korea. We strongly support this previous study with a vast amount of data.

Conclusion

This large-scale national study suggests that dietary vitamin C intake is protective against COPD independent of smoking history in the Korean general population.

[ConservativeMind]

Key takeaway:

“Moreover, a recent animal study has revealed that supplementation with vitamin C not only prevents the development of COPD but also restores the lung function in COPD subjects.”

The Upper Tolerable Limit is 2000 mg a day, with some people able to take quite a bit more. Normal Vitamin C lasts only one to two hours before it’s excreted, so consider Ester-C, a time release ascorbic acid, or taking many small doses of standard ascorbic acid throughout the day to help your body absorb it. Do note that Vitamin C can cause some minerals to be less absorbed.

Vitamin C can also help reduce high blood pressure, which many COPD patients have.

[coloradan]

COPD = Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

[ConservativeMind]

Earlier COPD threads:

Reversing smoke-induced damage and disease in the lung:
https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3803125/posts

Effect of supplementing a high-fat, low-carbohydrate enteral formula in COPD patients (Low Carb Helps!):
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3803247/posts

[samtheman]

Thanks. Nobody else was going to mention it.

[WLusvardi]

A problem with 2,000 mg of Vitamin C is that it contributes to the formation of gall stones and kidney stones. Taking ascorbic acid (vitamin C) needs to be supplemented with taking Citric Acid (not the same as Ascorbic Acid). Stones can not form as long as one take Citric Acid.

Quack doctors and nutritionists are those that fail to tell you the side effects of whatever they are prescribing. Humans are not made to take huge doses of Vitamin C as do animals which makes their own vitamin C.

Citric acid suppresses tumor growth in prostate cancer. Citrus peel has citric acid and can quiet down prostate cancer.

My cardiologist and nutritionist took me off fruit (Citric Acid) and loaded me up with ascorbic acid supplements. Result: gall stones and kidney stones. Those with kidney stones are 30 times more prone to heart attacks. Be careful about quack supplements.

[ConservativeMind]

Let’s talk to that.

Supplementation with high doses of Vitamin C appears to mean one supplementer out of 680 supplementers could wind up with kidney stones that would not have otherwise had them. You were the 680th supplementer that was the single unlucky one.

High-dose vitamin C linked to kidney stones in men:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/high-dose-vitamin-c-linked-to-kidney-stones-in-men-201302055854

Kidney stones are preventable, even while taking supplemental Vitamin C, as you also admit.

100% of people with COPD have a more immediate problem than a preventable 1/680th set of odds would throw at them.

As a doctor in the kidney stone story says, “...is any additional risk worthwhile if high-dose ascorbic acid is not effective?” I contend, as do these studies, that the extra Vitamin C actually does get used and is effective for these people. That’s made much safer by taking in only what your body can use so that it’s not excreting all of it, causing a 1/680 chance of getting kidney stones.

[Openurmind]

From what I understand there is also a balance of Calcium intake required to help process and absorb the vitamin C and Citric acids?

[fishtank]

Linus Pauling

Robert Cathcart

Vit C geniuses

[colinhester]

Bflr

[Redwood71]

According to WEBMD, probably the most used source for doctors in the US, COPD is most likely to result from:

Cigarette smoke: This is by far the most common reason people get COPD, first or second hand. You can also get it from tobacco products, such as cigar and pipe smoke, especially if you breathe in the smoke.

Pollution and fumes: You can get COPD from air pollution. Breathing in chemical fumes, dust, or toxic substances at work can also cause it.

Your genes: In rare cases, people with COPD have a defect in their DNA, the code that tells your body how to work properly. This defect is called “alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency,” or AAT deficiency. When you have this, your lungs don’t have enough of a protein needed to protect them from damage. This can lead to severe COPD. If you or a family member had serious lung problems — especially at a young age — ask your doctor about testing for AAT deficiency.

Asthma: If you don’t treat your asthma, lung damage over time can lead to COPD.

Using the possible treatment recommendations of the illness, WEBMD does not identify any of the supplements in the article being discussed as a cure.

Additionally, the accepted governmental MSDS for ascorbic acid, vitamin C, is not for food, drug, pesticide or biocidal product use.

So, before you start any supplement, check with your doctor for limits, incompatibilities, and uses. You might find that something the CDC does not approve may be dangerous in even using the wrong dosages or uses.

rwood

[ConservativeMind]

“Additionally, the accepted governmental MSDS for ascorbic acid, vitamin C, is not for food, drug, pesticide or biocidal product use.”

Well, then Vitamin C in any supplement is effective illegal! /sarcasm

[Karl Spooner]

Using the possible treatment recommendations of the illness, WEBMD does not identify any of the supplements in the article being discussed as a cure.

That's nothing new. The establishment quacks at the time refused to believe that vitamin C prevented and cured scurvy for at least a hundred years.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

This is our family official "I've got a cold" remedy.

Warning: This only works if done at the FIRST sign of a cold. If you have been sick for 12 hours it is too late.

Take 5000 mg of vitamin C.

Take one zinc lozenge.

One hot bath with Eucalyptus. Soak for 20 minutes.

Drink one cup of echinacea tea.

Go to bed.

You will wake up blissfully free of your cold.

[cibco]

ping

[ChildOfThe60s]

High vitamin C intake enhances the absorption of iron. High levels of iron in men and not good.

About 25 years ago in dealing with chronic pain, the doctor had me taking 6 grams of C a day for potential anti inflammatory benefits. My blood work showed my iron levels were too high which he said was because of the C intake. I either had to cut back on the C or give blood to reduce my iron level.

[GBA]

Have you heard much about N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for helping with lung issues?

I give it to my dogs to help their immune systems fight cancer and it also has been shown to be helpful for lung problems, including COPD.

Here’s one example of what you’ll find on the internet about NAC:

N-acetylcysteine in COPD: why, how, and when?

I’ve read that NAC, selenium and something else, I don’t remember which one, are a big three combo for boosting the immune system.

[ConservativeMind]

Yes, and my wife and I both take a Jarrow NAC time release version. It’s not appreciably more expensive than the normal version, and the time release really helps your body use it better.

NAC is definitely something people should consider taking—especially persons with COPD.

[trebb]

Ans some years ago some guy was putting massive doses of C in his food and telling us it helped extend life...periodically we get these “studies” telling us that conventional wisdom is wrong and then later telling us it was right, and then it was wrong....take all these with a grain of salt.....and get high blood pressure.