Most of us know about scurvy and how it killed more sailors than other diseases and battles, and was simply cured by giving sailors lemons or limes.When the vitamin C level in many patients in hospital, particularly those who are seriously ill is measured, it is often near scurvy levels, and because vitamin C is essential for holding the cells together, maintaining the immune system, fighting infections and cancer, and many other functions, one wonders how many patients in intensive
I have had personal experience and seen the benefit of intravenous vitamin C, or even high dose oral vitamin C in patients with infection and cancer, it provides enormous hope for people with cancer, especially advanced disease. I will write about this in a later blog, but I felt the article below written by one of the world authorities on vitamin C (Dr Thomas Levy) is worth sharing with the rest of the world. The more people who know about the value of this essential vitamin and its potential use in many diseases, the more rapidly conventional medicine and doctors will start introducing into their treatment regimes.
Is
the healing power of Vitamin C too good to be true? Can this inexpensive and
convenient vitamin improve and heal the toughest of ailments?
by Thomas E. Levy, MD, JD
My ongoing relationship with vitamin C
now spans a full 20 years, when I first
met Dr. Hal Huggins, a pioneering
dentist who opened my eyes to a wide array of clinical approaches to different
diseases with hitherto unheard-of clinical results at his clinic in Colorado
Springs. I can honestly say that my first visit to his clinic began the most
meaningful part of my medical education. Nothing has been the same since. My
office where I practiced adult cardiology ended up being shuttered shortly
after that first visit. And I have never looked back.
While there are many things I learned
from Dr. Huggins, and there were many areas I then ended up exploring because
of what he taught me, the single most important thing I learned from him was
the incredible ability of vitamin C to
improve or heal so many conditions. Without exception, seriously ill patients,
often with such diseases as Parkinson's, ALS, Alzheimer's, MS, and
atherosclerosis, almost always had extensive dental toxicity in the form of
root canal-treated teeth, infected dental implants, mercury amalgams, extensive
cavitational osteonecrosis, and/or advanced periodontal disease. Each of these
individuals had anywhere from three to five sessions of extensive dental work,
typically involving a great deal of dental surgery along with the inevitable
exposure to the toxins associated with anaerobic dental infections and the
inescapable assimilation of some mercury vapor if amalgams were being removed.
However, all of these patients received 50-gram (50,000 mg) infusions of
vitamin C administered continuously before, during, and following the dental
sessions. In patients with diseases that I had been led to believe could not
really be improved upon, dramatic clinical improvement was routinely apparent
immediately following the dental sessions.
While I knew the removal of dental
toxicity was very important in their clinical improvements, watching these
patients perk up after their first vitamin C infusion was extraordinary. Most
healthy people I knew just wanted to go to bed after hours of extensive dental
work. On at least one memorable occasion, after the first vitamin C infusion
was complete, one especially sickly patient immediately began talking with her
caregiver about what restaurant they could go to that evening to enjoy a meal.
This patient had several teeth extracted, but was still looking forward to
attacking a steak with the remaining teeth in her mouth. On a few priceless
occasions, I even saw some wheelchair-bound patients take a few steps, with
assistance, before they finished their two-week treatment period at the clinic.
Seeing was believing, and I realized
the entire way that I approached patient care simply had to change. I needed to
learn a lot more about the intravenous delivery of this molecule known as
ascorbic acid, or ascorbate. I resolved to research this vitamin as completely
as possible, learn the nuances of that research as best I could, and then proceed
to spread the word on the application of this incredibly potent, inexpensive,
and non-toxic substance.
Research
Many of the "leads" that I
followed in accumulating the many thousands of abstracts and articles came from
the 1972 ground-breaking book by Irwin Stone entitled, The Healing Factor:
"Vitamin C" Against Disease. Stone obtained forewords for his book by
the renowned Nobel Prize winners, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, who had discovered
vitamin C in 1932, and Linus Pauling, who pretty much put vitamin C into the
public eye as nobody else has been able to do.
In order not to miss any significant
information published in the medical literature about vitamin C since the
publication of Stone's book, I entered the term "ascorbic acid" into
the search engine of PubMed, and list of about 24,000 articles appeared. I gave
all of these articles careful consideration in documenting the many clinical
effects and laboratory effects of vitamin C. What began to emerge as I
proceeded to review these thousands of articles was that vitamin C is more important than
any other treatment for infection or exposure to toxin. Probably
most impressive was the fact that vitamin C in test tube experiments had always
neutralized any toxin to which it was exposed, regardless of the chemical
structure of the toxin.
The validation and enormous importance
of much of this test tube research came from the work of Frederick Klenner, MD
in North Carolina. His clinical experience demonstrated how vitamin C was just
as effective in the body as in the test tube in neutralizing or negating the
toxic impact of whatever toxin the patient was exposed to. Snake venom, heavy
metals, pesticides, cyanide, alcohol, carbon monoxide were all neutralized. The
results that Dr. Klenner reported with infections were also astounding, as
vitamin C, properly administered, proved to be the ultimate virucidal agent,
curing all acute viral infections. These viral infections remain
incurable by the standard approaches of modern medicine today. Furthermore,
Klenner showed that vitamin C was also very effective in the treatment of many
non-viral infections, improving the efficacy of treatment by antibiotics and
other medications administered today. While I have seen but a fraction of the
types of conditions that Dr. Klenner described, I fully believe the accuracy of
everything Dr. Klenner published. I have applied vitamin C treatment to many
patients with conditions similar to those treated by Dr. Klenner, along with
several other conditions that Dr. Klenner did not have the opportunity to
treat. With the perspective of this clinical experience, I have little reason
to doubt any of the fabulous outcomes that he reported.
What
I Have Witnessed
I recall here some of the most dramatic
anecdotes about the healing power of vitamin C in the hope of conveying to the
reader what an extraordinary addition it can be to the clinical options of any
medical doctor. Shortly after the vitamin C book was completed and published, I
began a limited clinical practice with a few colleagues. The circumstances were
pretty much ideal for me, as I was able to give or prescribe intravenous vitamin C as
needed.
Severe Influenza
In 2003 Denver was in the middle of a
flu epidemic that infected over 6,000 individuals and ended up killing more
than ten children and infants. In this setting, a slender but healthy
26-year-old woman developed a persistent fatigue that continued to progress.
After a month of this ongoing fatigue she fell severely ill very quickly, with
the classical flu-like symptoms of fever, chills, muscle aches and pains,
headaches, and nausea. She tried in vain to deal with her symptoms and still go
to school. However, after about a week of these symptoms and trying to maintain
a normal level of activity, she only had the energy to stay in bed.
She remained in bed for the
next ten weeks. Even her short trips to the bathroom depleted what little
energy she had, as the out-of-bed excursions would cause her to feel feverish
and would worsen her headaches. When I first saw her, she had lost 20% of her
body weight, going from 100 pounds down to about 80 pounds. In response to a
plea from her caregiver, I made a house call to her with my office
manager/assistant, and we administered her first vitamin C IV there. I found
her primarily just emaciated and appearing very malnourished. There was no
evidence of liver enlargement or enlarged lymph nodes. Her bloodwork suggested
a past Epstein-Barr virus infection, and it was reasoned that this chronic
viral infection had just made her all the more susceptible to the epidemic of
flu that was working its way through Denver and the rest of Colorado.
Her first IV consisted primarily of 50
grams of vitamin C as sodium ascorbate in 1,000 cc of lactated Ringer's
solution infused slowly over a period of about three hours. Six grams of
glutathione was added toward the end of the infusion. The next five infusions
contained 100 grams of sodium ascorbate, completed by the six grams of
glutathione.
The morning after the first IV she was
free of headaches for the first time in three months, and she felt much
stronger. However, by the second infusion, she was able to walk a bit around
the house. By the morning after the third infusion, she was able to walk
outside and enjoy a little sunshine. She was able to walk into the clinic for
her fourth infusion and subsequent treatments. She felt completely normal the
day after the fourth infusion, but two more infusions over two more days were
administered to prevent the possibility of relapse. An oral regimen of
supplementation was started, and she was discharged from regular care.
Of particular importance in
understanding the amount of vitamin C needed to effectively cure this patient's
chronic/acute viral syndrome is to note the patient's weight of 80 pounds when
first seen. 100 grams of vitamin C in a 80-pound patient is equivalent to 250
grams in a 200-pound patient. Further, the efficacy of the vitamin C was
enhanced by the glutathione administration. Our conclusion from many similar
cases was that any viral syndrome not resolving with vitamin C was almost
always due to inadequate total dose, along with the virus not being readily
accessible by the molecules of vitamin C, as in chronic hepatitis. A terminal
(not early stage) case of a dangerous virus such as Ebola in a
nutrient-depleted body might require even higher doses of vitamin C for
clinical resolution, depending upon body size.
H1N1 Influenza
A New Zealand farmer contracted H1N1
influenza in 2009. Well-documented on New Zealand's version of 60 Minutes,
this individual had progressed to the point of being on life support, and the
doctors had nothing further to offer.
A family member contacted me to ask
what to do, and I advised intravenous vitamin C, 50 grams or more daily,
immediately. However, I did not think there was any chance that the hospital or
doctors would allow such treatment.
After an enormous struggle, the family
finally got the doctor in charge to give vitamin C before "pulling the
plug." 25 grams of vitamin C was given intravenously the first day, 50
grams the second day, 75 grams the third day, and then 100 grams daily for 4 to
5 more days. At that point a new doctor in charge of the case discontinued the
vitamin C completely, for unclear reasons, even though the patient was clearly
responding, waking up, and dramatically clearing up the previous
"white-out" state seen in chest X-rays of his congested lungs. A full
week later, intravenous vitamin C was restarted at a mere one gram twice daily.
But for the docs who thought the vitamin C was a foolish intervention, the
proof of its efficacy was already at hand.
Pulmonary Embolism
While visiting Colombia, South America,
I had the opportunity to see a 30-year-old woman who was bedridden and
appearing to be in imminent danger of dying. She had been diagnosed with
pulmonary embolism, and both of her legs were tender and swollen, appearing
ready to set loose further emboli that would seal her fate. She was already on Coumadin
anticoagulation, and her blood tests indicated the thinning of her blood was
optimal.
Since I had brought some supplies with
me on this trip in order to give a few selected friends (as well as myself)
some intravenous vitamin C, I decided to try to help this individual out as
best I could. While I was concerned about the vitamin C neutralizing the
anticoagulant effects of the Coumadin, I was hoping to relieve her suffering a
bit. I proceeded to give her 50 grams of vitamin C over about three hours. She
tolerated the infusion well.
The following afternoon I returned to
give her another vitamin C infusion. Her improvement was nearly miraculous. She
was sitting up in bed and combing her hair, as she had just gotten out of bed
and taken a shower on her own.
On the fourth day, following the third
infusion, she was smiling and very pleased to report how good her legs were
feeling. I was very pleased, but I was also concerned over the possibility of
relapse, as I could not continue the IV infusions. She did continue to improve,
however, as I left her with several months worth of vitamin C powder, taken at
2,000 mg daily.
West Nile Virus
I have treated two cases of West Nile
virus, and both responded very dramatically. A Colorado man in his 60s had
already been sick for a month or two when he went to his local hospital and
ended up testing positive for West Nile virus. His symptoms included persistent
headaches, a bit of disorientation, and a low-grade fever. Upon arrival at my
clinic, he was given 75 grams of vitamin C intravenously followed by 6 grams of
glutathione intravenously. He was also given a hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
By 36 hours post-treatment, he felt completely normal and remained so.
Another man in his 50s contracted the West Nile virus and presented with a
history of chronic virus-associated symptoms over the preceding six months. He
received three infusions of vitamin C on consecutive days and reported having
no further symptoms after the completion of the third infusion. There was no
clinical relapse, and the cure was complete. He commented that the whole
experience seemed "like a miracle."
Infectious Mononucleosis
Two college students presented with
chronic infectious mononucleosis. Both had been sick for months, primarily with
severe fatigue, and they had already dropped out of their classes, not having
the energy to continue. Both received several 50-gram infusions of vitamin C
and had prompt, complete resolution of their chronic infections and persistent
symptoms.
Acute Lyme Disease
A young woman in Pennsylvania was
bitten by a pathogen-carrying tick, developed the classical Lyme-associated rash,
and proceeded to get very ill over the next seven to ten days. She received
several infusions of vitamin C at her house. The first infusion was 100 grams,
and her caregiver reported that she seemed much improved upon the completion of
that infusion. Five more infusions of 50 grams each were given over the next
two days. By the time that 72 hours had passed, she was completely well, never
having a clinical relapse or any chronic Lyme symptoms.
Chronic Lyme Disease
A woman with a 12-year history of chronic
Lyme disease, documented by blood testing, desired having regular and prolonged
high-dose intravenous vitamin C therapy for her condition. Under the aegis of a
prescribing physician who had attended one of my presentations of vitamin C, a
nurse practitioner was able to give the patient what she wished.
This individual had already been taking
liposome-encapsulated vitamin C and glutathione orally without a significant
improvement in her condition. On four consecutive days, she received infusions
of 25, 50, 75, and then 100 grams of vitamin C. Then, for 19 more days, she
received 5 or 6 infusions weekly of 100 grams of vitamin C in each infusion.
Until day 23, she felt no improvement. However, she was determined to
continue in spite of the lack of improvement and the increasing expense of the
whole process. On day 23, the nurse practitioner reported that she looked like
a new person, and that it was like a "switch was flipped" and she was
well. At her request, the patient received another week of 100 gram daily
infusions to be sure her condition was truly resolved, a very good idea on her
part. About a month later, her Lyme blood testing was completely negative.
A physician reported to me similar
experiences with a series of Lyme patients, who showed no positive clinical
response after an extended number of vitamin C infusions, then had a dramatic,
abrupt clinical resolution of their condition, very much as described above.
Final
Notes
Vitamin C is truly Nature's gift to
health and healing. Virtually all medical conditions are associated with
increased oxidative stress, and the relief, or at least partial relief, of this
oxidative stress with the vigorous administration of vitamin C and other
quality antioxidants, will always help. The oxidative stress caused by disease
and environmental toxins can deplete the body's level of vitamin C and other
antioxidants. In serious illness, the body's reserve of vitamin C goes to zero
because the rate at which the body regenerates it is far lower than the rate of
depletion. This can require huge doses to bring it back to normal. Even if you
are taking antibiotics or other prescription medicines, bringing your levels of
vitamin C in your body back to normal, or temporarily supranormal, will
virtually always result in profound benefits.
The treatment is effective and,
compared to the expense of conventional treatment, it is inexpensive. Few
medicines and therapeutic interventions are more affordable than, and as
non-toxic as, vitamin C. Even though something as extraordinarily beneficial as
vitamin C might seem too good to be true, that's definitely not the case.
(Dr. Thomas Levy is a board-certified
cardiologist as well as an attorney. He is the author of several books,
including Curing the Incurable: Vitamin C,
Infectious Diseases, and Toxins.)
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