Hi Terry:
The following is quoted from one of the links Wendy sent last night
(http://tomlevymd.com/archiveissue9.htm):
/_Sodium ascorbate_ is probably the best and certainly the least
expensive of the mineral ascorbates for regular supplementation at
relatively high doses (six grams or more daily). Many doctors and
patients fear the regular dosing of sodium, however, due to the
long-standing medical admonition to minimize sodium intake, especially
for hypertension and cardiac failure patients. Indeed, sodium chloride
(table salt) has long been known to facilitate fluid retention
(increased plasma volume), a state that directly aggravates hypertension
and heart failure. However, it appears that only sodium really results
in significant fluid retention when administered with the chloride
anion. Sodium when given with the anions citrate, ascorbate, or
bicarbonate does not appear to adversely affect hypertension or to
increase blood volume. Because of these findings, it has been directly
suggested that the concept of "sodium-dependent" hypertension should be
changed to "sodium chloride-dependent" hypertension (Kurtz and Morris,
1983; Kurtz et al., 1987). Anecdotally, I have never found multi-gram
doses of sodium ascorbate to adversely affect blood pressure or blood
volume status. However, since there always appear to be exceptions to
every rule in biology, anyone who notices elevated blood pressures or
ankle edema after high doses of sodium ascorbate would probably be
well-advised to supplement with a different form of vitamin C. /
/_Calcium ascorbate_ is currently a very popular form of vitamin C
supplementation. In addition to being directly labeled as calcium
ascorbate, this form of vitamin C is also marketed as an "ester" form of
vitamin C or a "buffered" form of vitamin C. Much of the popularity of
this form of vitamin C comes from the fact that many people are looking
for extra sources of calcium on a daily basis in addition to taking
their vitamin C. With some minor variability, these products typically
deliver approximately 100 mg of calcium for every 800 to 900 mg of
ascorbate given. Also, the 100 mg or so of calcium with each gram of
product usually has a very high degree of absorption when compared to
other common forms of calcium supplementation, such as calcium chloride
or calcium bicarbonate (Tsugawa et al., 1999)./
/However, the calcium-delivering properties of calcium ascorbate are
precisely the best reasons for avoiding this product. Although it
appears from the early work of Weston A. Price, D.D.S. that acutely
raising the ionic calcium levels in the blood can greatly improve the
acute phases of healing in damaged tissues, this does not address what
the long-term consequences of calcium administration may entail. In
fact, it appears that the bulk of the scientific data supports the
concept that the vast majority of the older population is massively
overdosed on calcium and legitimately suffering from calcium toxicity.
We continue to be stressed with warnings of increased risk of
osteoporosis while the data clearly shows that most deaths in patients
with osteoporosis relate to the vascular system and not the bones
(Kruger and Horrobin, 1997). Furthermore, excess calcium in the coronary
arteries, one marker of long-term calcium overdosage, is also directly
correlated to increased risk of heart attack (Raggi et al., 2003),
increased incidence of chronic degenerative disease (Arad et al., 2001;
Christian et al., 2003; Kiryu et al., 2003; Wong et al., 2003), and
increased degree of overall "all-cause mortality" (Shaw et al., 2003)./
/So, if you are a older chronic calcium supplement taker, just be aware
that there are negatives to this practice. The chance of dying from an
osteoporotic fracture doesn't remotely approach the chances of dying
from a heart attack, cancer, or another chronic degenerative disease.
Furthermore, it is far from clear that the traditional treatment
approach to osteoporosis significantly affects the likelihood of a
subsequent fracture. The scientific evidence, however, is very clear
that supplemental calcium often fuels the progression of
atherosclerosis, with the expected increased chance of heart attack.
/
/_Magnesium ascorbate_ is another significant mineral ascorbate. Unlike
the other mineral ascorbates (except for sodium ascorbate) it is very
difficult to overdose on this form of ascorbate. This is because the
magnesium cation is very bioavailable and very effective in reversing
the damage done by excess calcium, a condition shared by most older
individuals. Bioavailable magnesium (as ascorbate or as magnesium-amino
acid chelates; NOT the commonly taken magnesium oxide form) is very
effective in mobilizing abnormally deposited calcium throughout the
body. As such, it is one of the most effective (and still least
utilized) treatments available for osteoporosis. /
/While there is nothing wrong with taking large amounts of magnesium
ascorbate, it is more economical to take large doses of bioavailable
magnesium and sodium ascorbate separately to obtain the optimal effects
of both these supplements./
/Potassium, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, and chromium ascorbates are
additional mineral ascorbates. All of the cations are desirable as
supplements, but they can be easily be overdosed if they are used to
deliver multi-gram doses of ascorbate./
Maryau
Terry Chamberlin wrote:
I'm curious why these practitioners wouldn't use
calcium ascorbate or even potassium ascorbate rather
than sodium ascorbate?
Although the modern paranoia of sodium (low-salt
diets, etc.) is frequently just that, paranoia, in
fact a significant percentage of the population can
have problems with too much sodium. The folks using
the salt-Vit C therapy to combat various health issues
would be wise to add a significant intake of potassium
to their regime. If the body's sodium/potassium ratio
is unbalanced, there are important issues to consider.
Buffering ascorbic acid with calcium or potassium is
preferable to sodium, in my opinion.
Terry Chamberlin
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