Dr Richard K Bernstein, in his book "Diabetes Solution" (2003), says "In levels higher then 400 mg/day, vitamin C becomes an oxidant rather then an antioxidant and can cause neuropathies".

Is there any basis for this statement?

I've never heard anything like that..
I often take 5,000 or more if I feel a cold coming on or unwell.
I don't take Vit C constantly though..

When I had my RSI/TOS injuries I upped my Vit C along with other supplements.


This is what I found searching for info from the book - a snippet re Vit C
[ Doses of vitamin C in excess of 500 mg daily may interfere with blood sugar readings (causing them to appear erroneously low). Large doses of vitamin C can actually raise blood sugar, cause kidney stones, and even impair nerve function ]
http://www.diabetes-book.com/cms/art...ce-facn-fccws-

Jo, I had never read/heard anything like this either...

Dr. Bernstein, 2007 update of Diabetes Solution, pg 65:

"Dietary vitamin C is important to good health. In doses above 500 mg/day, however, vitamin C supplements can destroy the enzymes on blood sugar test strips and can also raise blood sugars. Finally, in levels higher than about 400 mg/day, vitamin C becomes an oxidant rather than an antioxidant and can cause neuropathies. If you are already taking supplemental Vitamin C, I urge you to taper it off or lower your dose to no more than 250 mg daily. Only use the timed-release form."

Dr. Bernstein also says that more than his recommended amount of Vit C will falsely lower A1c readings.

Jo, my concern is that I have taken 4000 mg daily for many years!

I'm still looking for causes for my ISFPN.

I am not sure but when I went to the pain doctor he suggested to take vitamin c to help with pain and repair.
Don't they make most of the vitamin c supplements in 500 or 1000 mg?

There is a movement now suggesting that high dose antioxidants, may turn on people and actually cause damage. This is rather new however.

The track record for Vit C and inflammation, and arthritis is pretty long in the studies. In fact RSD...neuropathy of the sympathetic nerves... was shown to be blocked by giving 500mg-1000mg in several European studies when trauma or surgery was done on wrists and ankles. This type of trauma can bring on RSD in susceptible patients. (this prevention was done for approximately 2 months following the surgeries). Some RSD patients today, improve in pain scores when using IV administration of Vit C.
Some of our posters here on RSD forum are doing this.

Vit C has been a mainstay for treating collagen disorders and arthritis for many years.

Interested readers here can Google antioxidant warnings.
Here is a recent example:
http://healthland.time.com/2013/08/0...-antioxidants/

Keep in mind that the media is not very reliable...this very same magazine..will push statins even today, when their known toxicity is being revealed rapidly.

I only use 250mg of Vit C a day..to keep my gums healthy, and my arthritis tolerable. Vit C is controversial, and there are even claims now that special formulations like nano liposomes or IV can cure heart disease and or cancer! (because fresh fruit trigger my GI angioedema attacks, I no longer can eat citrus etc.). But that is a special provision that applies only to me, and others with HAE.

example:
http://www.drlam.com/opinion/vitamin...ar_disease.asp

There are studies now showing Vit C reduces C-reactive protein levels and this seems positive to me as lowering risk of coronary heart disease.

But the studies do vary all over the place on this topic. Alot has to do with how the studies are done, patients chosen, and how the Vit C is administered and for how long.

The bottom line is moderation I believe. Dr. Weil suggests moderation now with consumption of all antioxidants. And I have been concerned about the high doses of astaxanthin that are being promoted by Dr. Mercola (who sells this also).

Here is the Linus Pauling Institute page on Vit C... some here may find it interesting and helpful:
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocente...mins/vitaminC/

Google "prooxidants" to find more articles on this possibility.
However, the anti-supplement lobbies, are very active in this country, and it is very difficult to sort out the truth, on this topic because of them. Keep that in mind too.

If you are going to stop high dose Vit C.... I suggest you taper off slowly. Vit C in high dose over time, can cause a vitamin dependency where the body gets used to those high doses as "normal". So if you stop suddenly, there may be reactions... and scurvy symptoms have been reported under those conditions.

So go down by 1000mg every week or so, and when you get to 1000mg a day, cut that in half for another week. Then you are not likely to get a withdrawal reaction at all.

High dose Vit C acts like a diuretic in the body. You might notice a change in excretion, and urine flow as you come down. And therefore can affect the excretion of some drugs by the urine.

This is an interesting link:
http://books.google.com/books?id=49k...in%20C&f=false
Mentions some drug interactions and also statins!

Just recently our lame stream media has been reporting that everything from antibiotic soaps,aspirin,all vitamins and minerals are bad for your health the only thing they can report that they can find good for your health is----get this, consuming alcohol,yep I guess if you drink enough you won't notice your bad health.What I am saying I would take Dr. Bernsteins claim with a grain of salt..which I don't know if it would be good or bad for you

Is there any basis for this statement?[/QUOTE]

I tried this medical advice for a couple of years, and while it seemed to work at first, I noticed some small side effects as well - especially when cleaning the toilet, or when my liver demanded its own zip code.

Remember you are likely better off getting your vitamin C from food (plants) rather than supplements. Here is a list of vitamin C content for selected foods:

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Vit...hProfessional/
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguideli.../appendixb.htm

You are not going to overdose on bell peppers, oranges, kiwis, or grapefruits. I have never eaten guava, but here is a reason to--#1 on the health.gov list, providing 188 mg vitamin C in 1/2 cup.
Ron

This is interesting, and not the first time I have read about it.

I take 2,000mg of sodium bicarbonate ascorbic acid a day.

Doing low carb I do not get enough vit C and had decided to take it for various reasons.

Every time I read this it gives me pause...maybe I should cut back to 1,000mg a day.

I will say this, since starting it a couple months ago, I have not been sick once, and I have flown several times, been around sick people like crazy too. I dunno if it is due to vit C or not but I kinda think so.