Cases for your group: Ester-C / gastric precautions?

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Hello All:

Because Ester C is essentially calcium ascorbate with a small amount of bioflavonoids added - it is neutral. Both ascorbic acid and calcium are natural anti histamines in their own right and because of the synergy effect calcium ascorbate is a potent anti allergen and anti inflammatory.

Anything that impairs the production of stomach acid (HCL) will lead to serious health problems including gastritis, gas, bloating, so called esophagus reflux disease, low thyroid, irritable bowel syndrome (constipation and diarrhea) and cancer.

People have forgotten their high school chemistry. I know I did. People should not waste their money on Ester C. They are really paying a premium price for a registered trade mark. Great marketing but poor science.

An ester is an oil compound such as d' alpha tocopherol acetate or succinate.

Ascorbyl Palmitate is a true ester (oil soluble form) of vitamin C. It makes a great skin cream. One should be able to get it from a compounding pharmacist.

Buy generic calcium ascorbate powder - it is cheaper.

Calcium Ascorbate, Sodium Ascorbate and Magnesium Ascorbate are mineral salts of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) among the most desirable forms of vitamin C.

All the studies claiming a benefit from Ester C were comparing it to Ascorbic Acid and not Calcium Ascorbate, Sodium Ascorbate or Magnesium Ascorbate.

Croft Woodruff.

On 6/9/06, chrisgupta@alumni.uwaterloo.ca wrote: Please respond to: "Sandra Goodman, Ph.D." sandra@positivehealth.com and Thanks

Very interesting the MD is worried about Ester-C, while overlooking the real toxicity of drugs. Side effects on any drug can be checked at rxlist.com

Chris Gupta

~~

Hi Chris

Could you kindly circulate this to your group. I am an expert regarding vitamin C and Ester-C, and have replied to Stu that to my knowledge I am not aware vitamin C or Ester-C aggravating bleeding or increasing inflammation; quite the reverse. However, I can't comment on the mix of drugs Stu's mother is being given.

Best wishes
Sandra

PS I have a couple of other cases which I will email you separately.

From: Stu Subject: Ester-C / gastric precautions?
To: sandra@positivehealth.com
X-SmarterMail-Spam: SPF_None

Dear Dr. Goodman:

I'm desperately seeking an opinion. I hope that you can be of help. I am very impressed with your knowledge and your website!

My mother is 89 years old and has a rather large polyp attached to her stomach which seems to be a source of bleeding and (supposedly) is inoperable. This was discovered on endoscopic exam. The gastrointerologist also felt she had some inflammation (I believe he termed it "gastritis"). She is being treated with a PPI medication to reduce the acid, which supposedly can increase bleeding and/or inflammation. She recently had an HGB of 8.6 (anemia) which was cause for alarm and prompted both an endoscopy and colonoscopy (colon was negative). She had a transfusion, which brought it up to 10.9. She is being treated with iron as well. She has mild demensia (treated with Aricept). She has arthritis and can only be treated with acetomenophen. She has hypertension (treated with Verapamil and Cozaar). She has atrial fibrillation, which is being treated with Coumadin. Her INR is approx. 2.5 (variable bet. 2-3.0). The Coumadin can exaserbate the bleeding from the polyp but without it she could throw a clot, with pote

Additionally, she has a compromised immune system and highly susceptable to airbourne illnesses (she resides in a nursing home). She had been taking Ester-C with bioflavanoids, 500mg. (Natrol brand) daily for approx. 3 years. It seemed to help her overall health, as is typical. It is supposed to have none of the side effects associated with common Ascorbic Acid. Her internist suggested that she stop taking the Ester-C, as it could exaserbate the bleeding and/or inflammation from her stomach. I am not convinced of this and remain confused. I don't want her to lose the benefits of the Ester-C based possibly upon an assumption by he doctor.

Perhaps you could be kind enough to provide me with an opinion on this matter and/or point me in the right direction to a source for information on the relationship between Ester-C and related stomach inflammation (if it causes this problem). Any other suggestions as to supplements that can soothe this inflammation and/or reduce the bleeding from the polyp would also be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your time and effort! I am very grateful!

-Stu Pulin

Sandra Goodman, Ph.D.
Editor and Director
Positive Health Publications Ltd
105 Madeira Road
Portsmouth PO2 0SY
Tel: +44 02392 653267 - Direct Line
Fax: +44 02392 699980
sandra@positivehealth.com
www.positivehealth.com

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