This site is assembled to allow people to freely chare information of healthy living. We are starting off the Q&A section with a series on Vitamins and Supplements. If you have any questions on Vitamins, please pass them along - or if you see a question you feel you can answer, do not hesitate to fill out the answer form provided at each questions page.

Officially, vitamin C, ascorbic acid, helps "cement" cells together (a lack of C weakens endothelial cells lining the capillaries. The capillaries become weak and and leaking (bleeding) occurs. Connective tissue health in general is hurt by a lack of C. Linus Pauling thought C increased protection against infection, but I'm not sure how he thought this works. I take 1000mg/day myself (with food please). It is of course, one of those antioxidents. Linus Pauling (a Nobel prize winner [twice]- now dead) was the best known advocate of large doses of Vit. C. He claimed many benefits which did include the belief that large doses was effective in preventing colds. He wrote a book called Vitamin C and the Common Cold which you will probably find in your local library.

Although you could make a case for SOME individuals benefiting from eating more MINERAL-RICH foods and supplements, as well as anti-oxidants, most people do not need vitamin supplements.

Eating a variety of foods will meet most people's nutrient needs. Our foods now come from all over the world. The average foodstuff in America comes from around 1300 miles away. IF our soil was depleted and your potatoes didn 't have, let's say, enough zinc, the fruit you just ate coming from Peru probably does. The fact is that most Americans have TOO MUCH in the way of vitamins, minerals, calories, fat and nutrition!