The term "megadoses of vitamin C" is no longer unfamiliar. It's common to hear stories of people who have improved their health by taking high doses of vitamin C. But one interesting fact is that the person who first introduced this method to the public is Linus Pauling, a scientist who won the Nobel Prize twiceIt was.
👨🔬 Linus Pauling and the Beginning of Megadoses
Linus Pauling is one of the most representative scientists of the 20th century. A rare person in history who won the Nobel Prize twice alone, in 1954 for chemistry and in 1962 for peace activism.However, what attracted public attention as much as his academic reputation were his health habits.
Pauling initially started taking a few grams of vitamin C per day, but gradually increased the dosage as he felt the effects. At first, 3~6gStarting from and after that 12g or more, in later years, depending on the condition Near 18gIt is known that he took up to .
In his 1970 book, Vitamin C and the Common Cold, he argued that it prevented colds and even helped people recover more quickly if they did catch one. Later, in How to Live Longer and Feel Better (1986), he emphasized the benefits of vitamin C for fatigue, stress, and chronic illness, and he himself stated that he regularly took high doses.
His claims were controversial, but they also had a strong public appeal, leading to the concept of “vitamin C megadoses” continuing to this day.
🌍 Megadose research continued after polling
Since Polling, many doctors and researchers have explored the potential of high-dose vitamin C.
- Frederick Klenner: In the 1940s, cases of pneumonia, polio, and influenza were reported with vitamin C injections.
- Every Cramp (Ewan Cameron): A clinical study is underway to administer high-dose vitamin C to cancer patients with polling.
- Robert Cathcart: Administered several tens of grams per day to patients and presented the 'bowel tolerance' theory that "taking it until just before diarrhea is therapeutic."
- Hugh Riordan: Systematically studied intravenous (IVC) administration for adjuvant treatment of cancer patients, and is still used in some clinics today.
🏥 Vitamin injections in modern hospitals
Even today, some hospitals and integrative medicine clinics use high-dose vitamin C injections (IVCs).
This method, particularly as an adjuvant therapy for cancer patients, involves directly administering tens of grams of vitamin C into the bloodstream. It significantly increases blood concentrations compared to oral administration, and has been reported to help alleviate pain and improve quality of life.
It is also used for fatigue recovery, immune enhancement, and antioxidant purposes, but is not yet recognized as a standard treatment in mainstream medicine.
🌱 Why Vitamin C?
The term "vitamin" was first coined in 1912 by a scientist named Funk. He discovered that deficiency diseases like scurvy and beriberi were caused by a lack of certain essential nutrients in the diet.
Among them, vitamin C cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be consumed through food or supplements. It is sensitive to heat and light and is easily destroyed during cooking. Its diverse functions include antioxidant activity, aiding collagen synthesis, and enhancing the immune system. Most importantly, it is water-soluble, so even if consumed in large quantities, most of it is excreted through urine, making it relatively safe.
✅ Experience, research, and controversy
In fact, there are many people around me who have experienced noticeable changes by consistently taking high-dose vitamin C.
A 70-year-old woman went on a trip to Europe with friends. Despite the unusually tight schedule, she reported feeling less tired than usual, with improved digestion and less pain. Another patient reported relief from long-standing allergy symptoms.
Some research findings support these anecdotes. Reports suggest that high-dose vitamin C can shorten the recovery time from a cold and help relieve fatigue. However, many argue that its effectiveness in preventing common colds is minimal, and the controversy persists.
Vitamin C has garnered renewed attention, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the anxiety surrounding the need to protect one's immune system, many people have taken more vitamins than usual, and sales of vitamin C have actually surged. As anecdotal reports of its effectiveness in relieving colds, flu, and COVID-19 have poured in, the perception of "a definite, palpable effect" has spread.
⚠️ Things to watch out for
However, high-dose vitamin C isn't without its benefits. Consuming large amounts at once can cause heartburn or diarrhea, and long-term excessive intake can increase the risk of kidney stones. People with kidney disease or gout should be especially cautious.
✨ Conclusion
Megadoses of vitamin C can certainly have noticeable effects for some people. However, it's dangerous to believe it's a panacea. Even Nobel laureate Linus Pauling has passionately advocated for it, but medical controversy persists.
The important thing is not to eat a lot unconditionally, Finding the right balance for youIt is wise to seek expert advice and approach it safely if necessary.
For busy modern people, vitamin C has become a necessity rather than an option.
A consistent habit of eating in any way may be the key to true health.
