VITAMIN C IN THE TREATMENT OF AIDS: Check Date. Aug 1984.

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Dr. Robert F. Cathcart, M.D. ---

--- Allergy, Environmental, and ---

----- Orthomolecular Medicine -----

------- Orthopedic Medicine -------

--- 127 Second Street, Suite 4 ---

--- Los Altos, California, USA ---

---- Telephone: 650-949-2822 ----

---- Fax: 650-949-5083 ----

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Copyright ©, 1994 and prior years, Dr. Robert F. Cathcart.

Permission granted to distribute via the internet as long

as material is distributed in its entirity and not modified.

 

 

Medical Hypotheses, 14(4):423-433, Aug 1984.

 

 

VITAMIN C IN THE TREATMENT OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)

Dr. Robert F. Cathcart III, MD

ABSTRACT

 

My previous experience with the utilization of ascorbic acid in the

treatment of viral diseases led me to hypothesize that ascorbate would

be of value in the treatment of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency

syndrome). Preliminary clinical evidence is that massive doses of

ascorbate (50-200 grams per 24 hours) can suppress the symptoms of the

disease and can markedly reduce the tendency for secondary infections.

In combination with usual treatments for the secondary infections,

large doses of ascorbate will often produce a clinical remission which

shows every evidence of being prolonged if treatment is continued.

This clinical remission is achieved despite continuing laboratory

evidence of helper T-cell suppression. There may be a complete or

partial destruction of the helper T-cells during an initial infection

that does not necessitate a continuing toxicity from some source to

maintain a permanent or prolonged helper T-cell suppression. However,

it is possible ascorbate may prevent that destruction if used

adequately during that prodrome period. Emphasis is put upon the

recognition and treatment of the frequent intestinal parasites. Food

and chemical sensitivities occur frequently in the AID syndrome and

may aggravate symptoms considered to be part of the AID syndrome. A

topical C-paste has been found very effective in the treatment of

herpes simplex and, to a lesser extent, in the treatment of some

Kaposi's lesions. Increasingly, clinical research on other methods of

treating AIDS is being " contaminated " by patients taking ascorbate.

INTRODUCTION

 

I had previously described that the amount of ascorbic acid which can

be tolerated orally by a patient without producing diarrhea, increases

somewhat proportionately to the toxicity of his disease (1,2,3,4).

Among the roughly 80% of persons who tolerate ascorbic acid very well,

-bowel tolerance- will be reached when in excess of 10 to 15 grams of

ascorbic acid dissolved in water is taken in 4 to 6 divided doses per

24 hours. The astonishing finding was that when that same person is

acutely ill with a mild cold, that tolerance may increase to

approximately 50 grams per 24 hours. A severe cold can increase

tolerance to 100 grams; an influenza, even up to 150 grams; and

mononucleosis or viral pneumonias, to as much as 200 grams per 24

hours. These higher doses may have to be divided as frequently as hourly.

 

These large amounts of ascorbate are being drawn off the GI tract at a

rate sufficient to prevent significant amounts from reaching the

rectum and producing diarrhea. Measurements of ascorbate in urine,

saliva, or serum indicate that if sufficient doses of ascorbate are

not given when a patient is ill, the body level of vitamin C drops

rapidly. In such a case, there is not enough vitamin C left in the

body, particularly in the cells directly involved by the disease, to

guarantee all the known housekeeping functions of the vitamin. Those

functions known to be dependent on vitamin C, including several

metabolic reactions necessary for proper functioning of the immune

system, are put at risk of malfunctioning. I call this condition

-acute induced scurvy.-

PREMIERE FREE RADICAL SCAVENGER

 

The reason ascorbate ameliorates so many conditions is that it

functions as the -premiere free radical scavenger- (5). This function

is not because it is the most powerful free radical scavenger, but

because it is possible to saturate every cell of the body with more

molecules of ascorbate than any other free radical scavenger. The

reason that it takes such massive doses for optimal effect is because

high concentrations of ascorbate must be driven into the cells

directly affected by the disease process sufficient to neutralize all

of the free radicals produced by that process, and have some left over

for vitamin C housekeeping functions. When a disease process involves

free radicals, that disease process is capable of being ameliorated by

massive doses of ascorbate. In the case of many infectious diseases,

the relief from free radical suppression of the immune system, allows

for more effective attack on the pathogen by that immune system.

 

-Note: this premiere free radical scavenger function has little to do

with nutrition but is a pharmacologic effect of ascorbate when

utilized in unnatural amounts for humans.-

 

Actually, the complete neutralization of free radicals requires

several steps involving other substances, e.g. glutathione. However

clinically, the most frequent limiting factor in the reduction of free

radicals is ascorbate. In certain conditions such as chemical

allergies, certain other limiting factors may become critically

important, e.g. selenium and glutathione. Some have worried that a

buildup of dehydroascorbate would be toxic in certain of these

conditions. Clinically, this consideration has not created a problem

when very large doses of ascorbate are used. Perhaps it is the high

ratio of ascorbate to dehydroascorbate, I am careful to maintain in

these patients, that protects against any temporarily accumulating

dehydroascorbate. Further, I should like to point out that the

dehydroascorbate formed should not be as toxic as that free radical

the ascorbate reduces as it itself is oxidized into dehydroascorbate.

 

In a way, it is unfortunate that this free radical scavenger and

vitamin C are the same substance. When ascorbate is destroyed in the

process of destroying free radicals, the vitamin C stores,

particularly in the cells directly involved in the disease process,

are so depleted as to cause disorders of known housekeeping functions

of vitamin C.

 

It is certain that AIDS causes this depletion. The sicker the patient

is, the more ascorbate will be destroyed by the disease process. This

depletion certainly contributes to the terminal events and probably

plays a key role in the increased susceptibility of AIDS patients to

various pathogens.

ASCORBATE VS. AN AIDS SUPPRESSOR FACTOR

 

A recent article describes the discovery of a -suppressor factor- in

AIDS patients. This suppressor factor was found to be neutralized in

the test tube by concentrations of ascorbate equivalent to that which

would be achieved in a man who ingested 10 to 20 grams of ascorbate a

day. It was thought that this amount was - " far too toxic " - to use in

humans and that a less toxic antioxidant should be found (6).

 

-Actually, 10 to 20 grams/24 hours of ascorbate is easily tolerated

and is not toxic- (1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14). Unfortunately,

clinically I have shown that the AIDS disease process destroys even

larger amounts of ascorbate than the 10 to 20 grams because bowel

tolerance is regularly increased to the range of from 40 to 185 grams

of C per 24 hours in the patient who has moderate Kaposi's lesions

and/or moderate lymphadenopathy. -Therefore, the 10 to 20 gram

equivalent of ascorbate in the test tube will not be adequate in vivo-.

PRELIMINARY STUDY

 

Because of the hypothesis that AIDS patients would benefit from large

doses of ascorbate, I began the actual treatment of AIDS patients and

have found that ascorbate is indeed very valuable when used in

conjunction with certain conventional treatments.

 

The following preliminary recommendations are based partly upon an

anecdotal group of approximately 90 AIDS patients who sought medical

care from physicians but who also took high doses of ascorbate on

their own. Additionally, it is based upon 12 of my AIDS patients, 6 of

whom were given intravenous ascorbate for a short period of time. Most

of these patients have had considerable improvement in their

condition. This improvement seems somewhat proportional to the amount

of ascorbate taken by the patient relative to the severity of his

disease. If the patient tolerates enough ascorbate to " neutralize the

toxicity " of his disease and if the secondary infections are treated;

his condition will go into remission. Subjectively, symptoms decrease

and increase inversely with how closely the patient titrates to bowel

tolerance.

 

The only death has been in a patient who had previously chemotherapy,

interferon, and total body Xray therapy. Additionally, his veins were

so destroyed by previous treatments that intravenous vitamin C therapy

could not be continued under the existing circumstances.

 

Such a preliminary report of recommendations is justified only because

of the urgency of the problem addressed and because in San Francisco

and now New York, news of the ascorbate treatment is spreading

rapidly. Ascorbate is being used by an increasing percentage of the

AIDS patient population but without much guidance. There have been

many requests by physicians for the treatment protocol.

ASCORBATE TREATMENT PROTOCOL FOR AIDS PATIENTS

 

The following protocol is recommended for AIDS and AIDS related

conditions including lymphadenopathy, idiopathic thrombo- cytopenia

purpura, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

 

As predicted, AIDS patients are usually capable of ingesting large

doses of ascorbate. It is desirable that the amount of ascorbate taken

orally be maximized. Patients are -titrated to bowel tolerance- (the

amount that almost, but not quite, causes diarrhea). A -balanced

ascorbate- mixture is utilized which is made up of a mixture of

approximately 25% buffered ascorbate salts (calcium, magnesium, and

potassium ascorbate) and 75% ascorbic acid. This mixture is dissolved

in a small amount of water and taken at least every hour. The purpose

of the frequent doses and this balanced mixture is to maximize the

amount of ascorbate tolerated without producing diarrhea. Patients are

permitted to vary the percentage of ascorbate salts to straight

ascorbic acid according to taste. The usual amount tolerated initially

is between 40 and 100 grams per 24 hours. -Doses in excess of 100

grams per 24 hours may be necessary with secondary bacterial and viral

infections-. As the patient's condition improves, bowel tolerance will

decrease.

 

When intravenous ascorbate is found necessary because the toxicity of

the condition exceeds the ability of the patient to take adequate

amounts of ascorbate to scavenge all of the free radicals created by

the primary AIDS infection and the various secondary infections, the

following intravenous solutions should be utilized. Sodium ascorbate

buffered to a pH 7.4 and without preservatives is added to sterile

water in a concentration of 60 grams per 500 cc. This concentration is

twice the concentration I have recommended before because it is well

tolerated in young males with large veins. Patients with small veins

may be best treated with solutions of 60 grams per liter. The time of

the infusions should be over at least a 3 hour period, preferably

longer. As much as daily administration of 3 bottles, 180 grams per 24

hours, may be necessary in acutely ill patients, e.g. Pneumocystis

carinii pneumonia, disseminated herpes, disseminated cytomegalovirus,

and atypical pneumonia. Enough ascorbate should be administered to

detoxify the patient regardless of the amount needed. Additionally,

oral doses of ascorbate should be taken simultaneously with the

intravenous ascorbate. -Do not let the patients become lazy and

discontinue bowel tolerance doses of ascorbate while the intravenous

ascorbate is being administered-.

INTESTINAL PARASITES

 

If the AIDS patient has intestinal parasites, he must be treated for

them. There is a very high percentage of male homo- sexuals infected

with intestinal parasites. These intestinal parasites are themselves

very immunosuppressive. The prognosis for an AIDS patient is greatly

enhanced by proper treatment of these parasites. -Entamoeba

histolytica-, especially, and -Giardia lamblia- must be treated.

Intestinal parasites, ordinarily considered -non-pathogens-, should be

treated. If negative, repeated stool examinations for ova and

parasites should be taken if there is the slightest clinical sign of

intestinal parasite infection. Samples should be fresh, not over 2

hours old. Laxatives may increase chances of discovering the

parasites. Additional samples may have to be taken through a

sigmoidoscope if other specimens are negative for ova and parasites.

With treatment, Herxheimer's reactions should be expected frequently.

Symptoms, including Kaposi's lesions, may be exacerbated, despite the

ascorbate, during treatment for intestinal parasites.

CANDIDA ALBICANS

 

Candida should be sought and treated. It should be emphasized to

patients that they owe it to themselves and society to treat the

Candida consistently because of the possibility of breeding resistant

strains. The possibility of candida in the gut, esophagus, mouth,

sinuses, skin, etc. should be considered. In patients who clinically

appear to have Candida but in whom Candida cannot be cultured,

sensitivities to Candida should be suspected and treatment of

especially the bowel should be considered. Herxheimer's reactions,

when antibiotics against Candida are employed, should be considered

one indication that Candida is a problem. In these sensitive patients,

foods and vitamins containing yeasts should be avoided. Lactobacillus

in large amounts should be fed to these patients in an attempt to

normalize bowel flora. Sugar and refined carbohydrates should be

avoided because Candida thrives on them.

 

There is a high incidence of food and chemical sensitivities

associated with Candida sensitivities (15,16,17) and Candida must be

suspected whenever such sensitivities are discovered.

FOOD AND CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES

 

Food and chemical sensitivities, both IgE mediated allergies and

enzymatic deficiency allergies (EDAS), are common because of the

disorders of the immune system and the severe stress imposed by the

AID syndrome. This increased incidence of sensitivities may be

associated with Candida, as discussed above, but may also be a result

of the AIDS infection. Rashes, edema, phlebitis, etc. caused by corn,

yeast (including yeast containing vitamins), molds, house gas,

automobile exhaust, certain herbal formulas, cosmetics, formaldehyde,

insecticides, paints, glues, and cigarette smoke have all been

observed in my small group of patients. Conditions such as Kaposi's

lesions, lymphadenopathy and probably idiopathic thrombocytopenia

purpura, conditions which would otherwise be considered just part of

the AID syndrome or AIDS related, have been seen to be aggravated by

food and chemical sensitivities. These sensitivities should be

anticipated and offending substances should be removed from the

patient's diet and environment. Ascorbate may or may not block these

sensitivities significantly; however, ascorbate may decrease the

intensity and duration of the reaction in such a way as to make

clinical discovery of the offending substance easier.

 

This increased incidence of food and chemical sensitivities is very

important to understand because apparent adverse reactions to vitamin

C may occur. These reactions are almost never due to the ascorbate

itself. Most ascorbate is made from corn. Minute amounts of chemicals

used in the manufacture of ascorbate may remain. Residuals of these

substances are almost invariably the cause of the sensitivity

reactions. Ascorbates made from sego palm or from tapioca and which

presumably are manufactured with some different chemicals, are often

tolerated. Different brands should be tried. It is almost always

possible to find some ascorbate that is tolerated. This sensitivity

problem is very important to deal with because patients frequently

feel their life depends on taking adequate amounts of ascorbate and

they may be correct in this feeling.

 

Many times gastrointestinal discomfort and excessive gas can be

alleviated by changing to the sego palm ascorbate or changing brands

of ascorbate.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

 

Bacterial infections should be treated with appropriate antibiotics

but large amounts of lactobacillus should be administered with foods

if there is the slightest tendency to Candida infections or

sensitivities. Ascorbate administration should be intensified during

treatment for bacterial infections. Intravenous ascorbate may be

necessary.

 

Viral infections should be treated with intensification of the

ascorbate treatment. Intravenous ascorbate may become necessary.

Immunosuppressive therapy should not be utilized.

 

Sugar and processed foods, foods with chemicals, recreational drugs,

cigarettes, alcohol, etc. should be avoided. Obvious nutritional

deficits should be sought and corrected. Additional supplimentation

with especially zinc and selenium may be helpful.

 

All sharing of body fluids and fecal material should stop (18).

Repeated exposures, not only to possible AIDS infection, but to the

secondary infections, especially intestinal parasites and Candida

should be avoided.

HELPER/SUPPRESSOR CELL RATIO

 

With this protocol, it may be anticipated that a large percentage of

patients will slowly go into an extended clinical remission. Patients

must be on guard to sense any impending infection, colds, etc. The

patient should begin the additional large frequent doses of ascorbate

within minutes. At the dose levels that have been possible under

circumstances imposed, a slow improvement of the total number of

T-lymphocytes may occur but helper/suppressor cell ratios may remain

suppressed. It appears that ascorbate may assist the immune system,

but that in addition, there are mechanisms whereby ascorbate acts

against pathogens, especially viruses and bacteria by mechanisms which

do not depend on the T-cells. For this reason, I would suggest using

the ascorbate portion of this protocol on children who have to be

permanently isolated from the slightest exposure to infections (bubble

babies).

MONITORING VALUE OF ASCORBATE " BURN "

 

Roughly to the degree that a patient clinically perceives himself to

feel toxic (the amount of malaise, fever, pain, how swollen the lymph

nodes, how much anxiety, etc.), the more ascorbic acid can be

tolerated orally without it producing diarrhea. The amount tolerated

becomes a rough measurement of something that represents the immediate

toxicity of the condition. I use the expression " 100 gram cold " to

mean that at the peak of the cold a patient tolerated 100 grams per 24

hours of ascorbic acid without diarrhea. In cases where I am not sure

what is causing an increased tolerance or if a person is multiply ill

with several secondary infections, I refer to the processes going on

which are using up the ascorbate as the " -burn-. " Note that the amount

of ascorbic acid tolerated is only a good measure of this burn if it

is the amount determined by titrating to " true " bowel tolerance, i.e.,

diarrhea caused by ascorbic acid in a patient who otherwise tolerates

ascorbate well; not limits set by " too much gas " , " don't like the

taste " , " stomach too acid " , etc.

 

The amount of this burn has some practical and prognostic values;

e.g., a patient with a burn much over 25-30 grams almost inevitably

has something the matter with him and a thorough diagnostic workup is

indicated. A lover of one of the AIDS patients had a burn of 100

grams. It was found that his helper/suppressor T-cell ratio was 0.7

but he had no other sign of disease. Over a 6 month period, the burn

has dropped to 25 grams. AIDS has not been diagnosed in this patient

but there is good reason to suspect that he has a pre-AIDS condition.

The AIDS patient himself has had his burn drop from 125 grams to 35

grams. His lymphadenopathy has improved considerably.

AIDS POSSIBLY INVOLVING A PERMANENT OR PROLONGED LOSS OF T-HELPER CELLS

 

One patient who managed to eliminate all signs of Kaposi's lesions

while taking ascorbic acid had had his burn down to 15 grams a day for

6 months despite the helper/supressor T-cell ratio remaining at 0.2.

There had been some slight increase in the absolute number of helper

and suppressor cells. Previously detected shedding of CMV

(cytomegalovirus) had apparently stopped. This patient had 3 Kaposi's

lesions (diagnosed as Kaposi's sarcoma on biopsy) recur on the right

foot following a cold, herpes simplex, and influenza, all within a 2

month period. The burn markedly increased, peaking at 185 grams per 24

hours. In 2 weeks time, the patient had managed to eliminate all signs

of the lesions on the foot. The ascorbate burn slowly has lessened;

now 2 months later, the burn is at 25 grams and decreasing.

 

This case, plus the previous two cases, strongly suggest that the

basic AIDS infection, probably caused by a virus, is no longer active

in these cases and that subsequent ascorbate burns and various later

manifestations of the AID syndrome are caused by secondary and

opportunistic infections. One is reminded of the permanent damage of

certain viral infections in association with certain predisposing

factors initiating an immune response to the beta cells of the islets

of Langerhans and causing juvenile-onset diabetes (19).

ASCORBATE AND THE POSSIBLE PREVENTION OF AIDS

 

Morishige has demonstrated the effectiveness of ascorbate in

preventing hepatitis B from blood transfusions (20). A similarity

exists between AIDS and hepatitis B. It has been my experience that

patients treated with large doses of ascorbate during the acute phase

of hepatitis will not develop chronic hepatitis. My experience with

herpes simplex has been the same. Although ascorbate is helpful to a

degree with chronic viral infections, it is in the treatment of acute

viral diseases that it is most effective.

 

It is on this basis that I recommend that all persons who fear

exposure to AIDS and certainly anyone receiving blood trans- fusions

or other blood products which could in the most remote way have been

obtained from an AIDS carrier, be put on bowel tolerance doses of

ascorbate.

CONTROLLED STUDIES OF OTHER SUBSTANCES [may be] CONTAMINATED WITH

ASCORBATE

 

As a result of publications in periodicals concerned about the AID

syndrome, (21,22) a rapidly increasing number of AIDS patients in the

San Francisco Bay Area are taking large doses of ascorbate. The same

practice is starting in New York and elsewhere. I would suggest that

physicians conducting controlled experiments on interferon, and

shortly with interleukin 2, be sensitive to the fact that their

patients are, and will be con- taminating the experiments with massive

doses of ascorbate. Statistical analysis of the results of such trials

will probably be valueless. Ascorbate has been contaminating cancer

treatment studies for some time as a result of orthomolecular

literature (23,24,25). I estimate that a significant increasing

percentage of cancer patients in California and other parts of the

world are taking massive doses of ascorbate. Most of these patients

are hiding this fact from their oncologist.

BROADER PROBLEMS

 

The AID syndrome has not only become a major threat to the special

groups ordinarily affected but threatens to spread at least to some

extent into other groups. The increasingly large number of persons

infected by the disease increases the possibility of mutations which

could alter the routes of infection. Even without this possibility

occurring, the large population of immune suppressed persons comprises

a major health hazard because of the large pools of secondary

infectious diseases generated. The large, growing pool of intestinal

parasites, heretofore present in the western world in only small

numbers, is one example of that problem.

POSSIBLE ELIMINATION OF THE AID SYNDROME

 

Practical considerations (lack of money and lack of hospital

facilities) have prevented me from administering the doses of

ascorbate which I think might -possibly- eliminate the probable viral

infection initiating the AID syndrome. I suggest that the

helper/suppressor T-cell ratios should be carefully monitored while at

least 180 grams/24 hours of ascorbate is administered intravenously.

At the same time bowel tolerance doses of ascorbate should be taken

orally. This program should be followed over an extended period of

time (minimum 2 weeks) to find out if there is any direct effect on

the process causing the AIDS.

 

I have preliminary evidence in one patient in which the above program

was tried that while the secondary problems were markedly suppressed

by the ascorbate (7 lbs, 11 oz in 14 days) that the basic AIDS

condition was not reversed. This case plus the cases implying the

permanent or prolonged suppression of the immune system make it

essential to treat the prodrome stages of AIDS with ascorbate.

 

If there is not a complete elimination of the basic AIDS process,

bowel tolerance doses of ascorbate and the rest of the described

protocol will probably have to be maintained for life.

 

My experience (1,2,3,4), and experience of other researchers

(10,11,12,13,14,20,26,27) is that acute self limiting viral diseases

can be reliably cured with massive doses of ascorbate. Viral diseases

that have become chronic seem to involve pathologic processes which

are not quite as susceptible to ascorbate but which nevertheless are

ameliorated, sometimes seemingly cured. It is hoped that funds will be

made available for such a project.

C-PASTE

 

Herpes simplex lesions can usually be made to more rapidly heal or be

prevented at the outset by increasing the doses of oral ascorbic acid

and the application of C-paste. C-paste is made with either ascorbic

acid or sodium ascorbate and water applied directly to the skin and

covered with a bandage. Frequently, one application will suffice for

herpes. Care should be taken not to irritate intact skin too much in

sensitive skin areas, especially under adhesive bandages. Frequently

applications to intact skin where the patient perceives an outbreak is

about to occur will completely abort the attack. Several applications

may be necessary to penetrate through the intact skin.

 

C-paste has also been useful on early Kaposi's lesions. It should be

applied up to 4 times a day. Alternatively, soaks of 20% sodium

ascorbate or ascorbic acid (1 gram per 5 cc of water) for 15-30

minutes, 4 times a day may be helpful. Be careful not to irritate the

skin too much even with these solutions. Keep ascorbic acid out of the

eyes; a 20% -sodium ascorbate- solution can be used in the eyes with care.

KAPOSI'S LESIONS

 

Kaposi's lesions have been described as behaving like an infectious

disease closely associated with CMV (28). With ascorbate treatment,

Kaposi's lesions may be made to go away if the patient takes enough

ascorbate and the patient is not burdened by multiple opportunistic

infections. In patients with multiple problems, there tend to be

outbreaks of the Kaposi's lesions associated with colds, parasites,

herpes, or emotional stress and particularly associated with a letdown

in the amount of C taken. Even in patients with multiple lesions,

individual lesions can frequently be seen to lose color and flatten

with the local application of ascorbate soaks.

CONCLUSIONS

 

Ascorbate does ameliorate the AID syndrome to a significant degree. I

want to emphsize, however, the absolute necessity of massive doses.

Additionally, one must avoid and treat oppor- tunistic infections.

Multiple infections, lack of understanding in the use of C, or

inability to tolerate the doses prescribed, all result in a poor

prognosis. The success of treatments with ascorbate entirely depends

on consistent administration of C sufficient to neutralize the free

radicals produced by the various diseases.

 

The use of ascorbate is increasing in the male homosexual population

of the San Francisco Bay Area and spreading across the United States.

It will be very interesting to see if there are any otherwise

unexplained decreases in the rate of increase of new cases of AIDS and

associated deaths starting in San Francisco. The use of C is

contaminating otherwise thought to be controlled studies of other

therapeutic measures. Other considerations plus the potential

application of ascorbate as part of the treatment of all infectious

diseases, makes the clarification of the usefulness of ascorbate to

the medical profession essential.

CAUTION

 

If these oral solutions are used over a long period of time, care

should be taken to keep them off the teeth by using a straw in order

to avoid enamel damage. Sickle cell anemia and G-6-PD deficiencies

should be ruled out where indicated. In any condition requiring

prolonged administration of large amounts of any nutrient, I would

advise seeking the advice of a specialist to avoid induced

deficiencies in other nutrients.

 

Dr. Cathcart Bibliography

 

REFERENCES

 

1. Cathcart, R.F. Clinical trial of vitamin C. Letter to the

Editor, Medical Tribune, June 25, 1975.

 

*2. Cathcart, R.F. The method of determining proper doses of

vitamin C for the treatment of disease by titrating to bowel

tolerance. J. Orthomolecular Psychiatry, 10:125-132, 1981.

 

 

*3. Cathcart, R.F. Vitamin C: titrating to bowel tolerance,

anascorbemia, and acute induced scurvy. Medical Hypotheses,

7:1359-1376, 1981.

 

*4. Cathcart, R.F. C-vitaminbehandling till tarmintolerans vid

infektioner och allergi. Biologisk Medicin, 3:6-8, 1983.

 

*5. Cathcart, R.F. Vitamin C function in AIDS. Current Opinion,

Medical Tribune, July 13, 1983.

 

*6. Laurence J. The mystery factor that's destroying immunity.

American Health, May/June 1983.

 

*7. Stone, I. The Healing Factor: Vitamin C Against Disease.

Grosset and Dunlap, New York, 1972.

 

*8. Pauling, L. Vitamin C and the Common Cold. W.H. Freeman and

Company, San Francisco, 1970.

 

*9. Pauling, L. Vitamin C, the Common Cold, and the Flu. W.H.

Freeman and Company, San Francisco, 1976.

 

*10. Klenner FR. Virus pneumonia and its treatment with vitamin

C. J. South. Med. and Surg., 110:60-63, 1948

 

*11. Klenner FR. The treatment of poliomyelitis and other virus

diseases with vitamin C. J. South. Med. and Surg., 111:210-214,

1949.

 

*12. Klenner, F.R. Massive doses of vitamin C and the virus

diseases. J. South. Med. and Surg., 113:101-107, 1951.

 

*13. Klenner, F.R. Observations on the dose and administration of

ascorbic acid when employed beyond the range of a vitamin in

human pathology. J. App. Nutr., 23:61-88, 1971.

 

*14. Kalokerinos, A. Every Second Child. Keats Publishing,

Inc., New Canaan, 1981

 

*15. Truss, C.O. Tissue injury induced by Candida Albicans:

Mental and neurologic manifestations. J. Orthomolecular

Psychiatry, 7,1:17-37, 1978.

 

*16. Truss, C.O. Restoration of immunologic competence to

Candida Albicans. J. Orthomolecular Psychiatry. 9,4:287-301,

1980.

 

*17. Truss, C.O. The role of Candida Albicans in human illness.

J. Orthomolecular Psychiatry, 10,4:228-238, 1981.

 

*18. Mavligit, G.M., Talpaz, M., Hsia, F.T., Wong, W., Lichtiger,

B., Mansell, W.A., Mumford, D.M. Chronic Immune stimulation by

sperm alloantigens. JAMA, 251:237-241, 1984.

 

*19. Notkins, A.L. The Causes of Diabetes. Scientific American,

241,5:62-73, Nov. 1979.

 

*20. Murata, A. Virucidal activity of vitamin C: Vitamin C for

the prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Proceedings of

the First Intersectional Congress of Microbiological societies,

Science Council of Japan, 3:432-42, 1975.

 

*21. Cathcart, R.F. Vitamin C function in AIDS. Bay Area

Reporter, p.18, Nov 17, 1983.

 

*22. Cathcart, R.F. Vitamin C treatment protocol for AIDS, Bay

Area Reporter, p.14-15, Jan 5, 1984.

 

*23. Cameron, E. and Pauling, L. Supplemental ascorbate in the

supportive treatment of cancer: Prolongation of survival times in

terminal human cancer. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 73:3685-3689,

1976.

 

*24. Cameron, E. and Pauling, L. The orthomolecular treatment of

cancer: Reevaluation of prolongation of survival times in

terminal human cancer. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 75:4538-4542,

1978.

 

*25. Cameron, E. and Pauling, L. Cancer and Vitamin C. The Linus

Pauling Institute for Science and Medicine, Menlo Park, 1979.

 

*26. Belfield, W.O., Vitamin C in treatment of canine and feline

distemper complex. Veterinary Medicine/Small Animal Clinician,

pp. 345-48, Apr 1967.

 

*27. Belfield, W.O. and Zucker, M. How to Have a Healthier Dog.

Doubleday & Company, Inc., New York, 1981.

 

*28. Siegal, F.P. and Siegal, M. AIDS:The Medical Mystery.

Grove Press, Inc., New York, 1983.

 

 

Content © 1995 and prior years, Robert F. Cathcart, MD.

[Guest guest]

We've known about IV C's value as a cancer treatment for a long time.

 

The date of this study is 1984. I haven't heard Boo about this for 20

years. amazing how no money gets allocated when no potential patents are

at stake.

 

I admit I've just never really thought about it's potential as an Aids

therapy, but it certainly makes sense, has relatively little downside

when compared to most allopathic treatments, and the results stated here

are encouraging.

 

peace

 

 

 

Rik

 

 

 

, " califpacific "

<califpacific wrote:

>

> http://www.orthomed.com/aids.htm

>

>

> Dr. Robert F. Cathcart, M.D. ---

> --- Allergy, Environmental, and ---

> ----- Orthomolecular Medicine -----

> ------- Orthopedic Medicine -------

> --- 127 Second Street, Suite 4 ---

> --- Los Altos, California, USA ---

> ---- Telephone: 650-949-2822 ----

> ---- Fax: 650-949-5083 ----

> --

> Copyright ©, 1994 and prior years, Dr. Robert F. Cathcart.

> Permission granted to distribute via the internet as long

> as material is distributed in its entirity and not modified.

>

>

> Medical Hypotheses, 14(4):423-433, Aug 1984.

>

>

> VITAMIN C IN THE TREATMENT OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME

(AIDS)

> Dr. Robert F. Cathcart III, MD

> ABSTRACT

>

> My previous experience with the utilization of ascorbic acid in the

> treatment of viral diseases led me to hypothesize that ascorbate would

> be of value in the treatment of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency

> syndrome). Preliminary clinical evidence is that massive doses of

> ascorbate (50-200 grams per 24 hours) can suppress the symptoms of the

> disease and can markedly reduce the tendency for secondary infections.

> In combination with usual treatments for the secondary infections,

> large doses of ascorbate will often produce a clinical remission which

> shows every evidence of being prolonged if treatment is continued.

> This clinical remission is achieved despite continuing laboratory

> evidence of helper T-cell suppression. There may be a complete or

> partial destruction of the helper T-cells during an initial infection

> that does not necessitate a continuing toxicity from some source to

> maintain a permanent or prolonged helper T-cell suppression. However,

> it is possible ascorbate may prevent that destruction if used

> adequately during that prodrome period. Emphasis is put upon the

> recognition and treatment of the frequent intestinal parasites. Food

> and chemical sensitivities occur frequently in the AID syndrome and

> may aggravate symptoms considered to be part of the AID syndrome. A

> topical C-paste has been found very effective in the treatment of

> herpes simplex and, to a lesser extent, in the treatment of some

> Kaposi's lesions. Increasingly, clinical research on other methods of

> treating AIDS is being " contaminated " by patients taking ascorbate.

> INTRODUCTION

>

> I had previously described that the amount of ascorbic acid which can

> be tolerated orally by a patient without producing diarrhea, increases

> somewhat proportionately to the toxicity of his disease (1,2,3,4).

> Among the roughly 80% of persons who tolerate ascorbic acid very well,

> -bowel tolerance- will be reached when in excess of 10 to 15 grams of

> ascorbic acid dissolved in water is taken in 4 to 6 divided doses per

> 24 hours. The astonishing finding was that when that same person is

> acutely ill with a mild cold, that tolerance may increase to

> approximately 50 grams per 24 hours. A severe cold can increase

> tolerance to 100 grams; an influenza, even up to 150 grams; and

> mononucleosis or viral pneumonias, to as much as 200 grams per 24

> hours. These higher doses may have to be divided as frequently as

hourly.

>

> These large amounts of ascorbate are being drawn off the GI tract at a

> rate sufficient to prevent significant amounts from reaching the

> rectum and producing diarrhea. Measurements of ascorbate in urine,

> saliva, or serum indicate that if sufficient doses of ascorbate are

> not given when a patient is ill, the body level of vitamin C drops

> rapidly. In such a case, there is not enough vitamin C left in the

> body, particularly in the cells directly involved by the disease, to

> guarantee all the known housekeeping functions of the vitamin. Those

> functions known to be dependent on vitamin C, including several

> metabolic reactions necessary for proper functioning of the immune

> system, are put at risk of malfunctioning. I call this condition

> -acute induced scurvy.-

> PREMIERE FREE RADICAL SCAVENGER

>

> The reason ascorbate ameliorates so many conditions is that it

> functions as the -premiere free radical scavenger- (5). This function

> is not because it is the most powerful free radical scavenger, but

> because it is possible to saturate every cell of the body with more

> molecules of ascorbate than any other free radical scavenger. The

> reason that it takes such massive doses for optimal effect is because

> high concentrations of ascorbate must be driven into the cells

> directly affected by the disease process sufficient to neutralize all

> of the free radicals produced by that process, and have some left over

> for vitamin C housekeeping functions. When a disease process involves

> free radicals, that disease process is capable of being ameliorated by

> massive doses of ascorbate. In the case of many infectious diseases,

> the relief from free radical suppression of the immune system, allows

> for more effective attack on the pathogen by that immune system.

>

> -Note: this premiere free radical scavenger function has little to do

> with nutrition but is a pharmacologic effect of ascorbate when

> utilized in unnatural amounts for humans.-

>

> Actually, the complete neutralization of free radicals requires

> several steps involving other substances, e.g. glutathione. However

> clinically, the most frequent limiting factor in the reduction of free

> radicals is ascorbate. In certain conditions such as chemical

> allergies, certain other limiting factors may become critically

> important, e.g. selenium and glutathione. Some have worried that a

> buildup of dehydroascorbate would be toxic in certain of these

> conditions. Clinically, this consideration has not created a problem

> when very large doses of ascorbate are used. Perhaps it is the high

> ratio of ascorbate to dehydroascorbate, I am careful to maintain in

> these patients, that protects against any temporarily accumulating

> dehydroascorbate. Further, I should like to point out that the

> dehydroascorbate formed should not be as toxic as that free radical

> the ascorbate reduces as it itself is oxidized into dehydroascorbate.

>

> In a way, it is unfortunate that this free radical scavenger and

> vitamin C are the same substance. When ascorbate is destroyed in the

> process of destroying free radicals, the vitamin C stores,

> particularly in the cells directly involved in the disease process,

> are so depleted as to cause disorders of known housekeeping functions

> of vitamin C.

>

> It is certain that AIDS causes this depletion. The sicker the patient

> is, the more ascorbate will be destroyed by the disease process. This

> depletion certainly contributes to the terminal events and probably

> plays a key role in the increased susceptibility of AIDS patients to

> various pathogens.

> ASCORBATE VS. AN AIDS SUPPRESSOR FACTOR

>

> A recent article describes the discovery of a -suppressor factor- in

> AIDS patients. This suppressor factor was found to be neutralized in

> the test tube by concentrations of ascorbate equivalent to that which

> would be achieved in a man who ingested 10 to 20 grams of ascorbate a

> day. It was thought that this amount was - " far too toxic " - to use in

> humans and that a less toxic antioxidant should be found (6).

>

> -Actually, 10 to 20 grams/24 hours of ascorbate is easily tolerated

> and is not toxic- (1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14). Unfortunately,

> clinically I have shown that the AIDS disease process destroys even

> larger amounts of ascorbate than the 10 to 20 grams because bowel

> tolerance is regularly increased to the range of from 40 to 185 grams

> of C per 24 hours in the patient who has moderate Kaposi's lesions

> and/or moderate lymphadenopathy. -Therefore, the 10 to 20 gram

> equivalent of ascorbate in the test tube will not be adequate in

vivo-.

> PRELIMINARY STUDY

>

> Because of the hypothesis that AIDS patients would benefit from large

> doses of ascorbate, I began the actual treatment of AIDS patients and

> have found that ascorbate is indeed very valuable when used in

> conjunction with certain conventional treatments.

>

> The following preliminary recommendations are based partly upon an

> anecdotal group of approximately 90 AIDS patients who sought medical

> care from physicians but who also took high doses of ascorbate on

> their own. Additionally, it is based upon 12 of my AIDS patients, 6 of

> whom were given intravenous ascorbate for a short period of time. Most

> of these patients have had considerable improvement in their

> condition. This improvement seems somewhat proportional to the amount

> of ascorbate taken by the patient relative to the severity of his

> disease. If the patient tolerates enough ascorbate to " neutralize the

> toxicity " of his disease and if the secondary infections are treated;

> his condition will go into remission. Subjectively, symptoms decrease

> and increase inversely with how closely the patient titrates to bowel

> tolerance.

>

> The only death has been in a patient who had previously chemotherapy,

> interferon, and total body Xray therapy. Additionally, his veins were

> so destroyed by previous treatments that intravenous vitamin C therapy

> could not be continued under the existing circumstances.

>

> Such a preliminary report of recommendations is justified only because

> of the urgency of the problem addressed and because in San Francisco

> and now New York, news of the ascorbate treatment is spreading

> rapidly. Ascorbate is being used by an increasing percentage of the

> AIDS patient population but without much guidance. There have been

> many requests by physicians for the treatment protocol.

> ASCORBATE TREATMENT PROTOCOL FOR AIDS PATIENTS

>

> The following protocol is recommended for AIDS and AIDS related

> conditions including lymphadenopathy, idiopathic thrombo- cytopenia

> purpura, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

>

> As predicted, AIDS patients are usually capable of ingesting large

> doses of ascorbate. It is desirable that the amount of ascorbate taken

> orally be maximized. Patients are -titrated to bowel tolerance- (the

> amount that almost, but not quite, causes diarrhea). A -balanced

> ascorbate- mixture is utilized which is made up of a mixture of

> approximately 25% buffered ascorbate salts (calcium, magnesium, and

> potassium ascorbate) and 75% ascorbic acid. This mixture is dissolved

> in a small amount of water and taken at least every hour. The purpose

> of the frequent doses and this balanced mixture is to maximize the

> amount of ascorbate tolerated without producing diarrhea. Patients are

> permitted to vary the percentage of ascorbate salts to straight

> ascorbic acid according to taste. The usual amount tolerated initially

> is between 40 and 100 grams per 24 hours. -Doses in excess of 100

> grams per 24 hours may be necessary with secondary bacterial and viral

> infections-. As the patient's condition improves, bowel tolerance will

> decrease.

>

> When intravenous ascorbate is found necessary because the toxicity of

> the condition exceeds the ability of the patient to take adequate

> amounts of ascorbate to scavenge all of the free radicals created by

> the primary AIDS infection and the various secondary infections, the

> following intravenous solutions should be utilized. Sodium ascorbate

> buffered to a pH 7.4 and without preservatives is added to sterile

> water in a concentration of 60 grams per 500 cc. This concentration is

> twice the concentration I have recommended before because it is well

> tolerated in young males with large veins. Patients with small veins

> may be best treated with solutions of 60 grams per liter. The time of

> the infusions should be over at least a 3 hour period, preferably

> longer. As much as daily administration of 3 bottles, 180 grams per 24

> hours, may be necessary in acutely ill patients, e.g. Pneumocystis

> carinii pneumonia, disseminated herpes, disseminated cytomegalovirus,

> and atypical pneumonia. Enough ascorbate should be administered to

> detoxify the patient regardless of the amount needed. Additionally,

> oral doses of ascorbate should be taken simultaneously with the

> intravenous ascorbate. -Do not let the patients become lazy and

> discontinue bowel tolerance doses of ascorbate while the intravenous

> ascorbate is being administered-.

> INTESTINAL PARASITES

>

> If the AIDS patient has intestinal parasites, he must be treated for

> them. There is a very high percentage of male homo- sexuals infected

> with intestinal parasites. These intestinal parasites are themselves

> very immunosuppressive. The prognosis for an AIDS patient is greatly

> enhanced by proper treatment of these parasites. -Entamoeba

> histolytica-, especially, and -Giardia lamblia- must be treated.

> Intestinal parasites, ordinarily considered -non-pathogens-, should be

> treated. If negative, repeated stool examinations for ova and

> parasites should be taken if there is the slightest clinical sign of

> intestinal parasite infection. Samples should be fresh, not over 2

> hours old. Laxatives may increase chances of discovering the

> parasites. Additional samples may have to be taken through a

> sigmoidoscope if other specimens are negative for ova and parasites.

> With treatment, Herxheimer's reactions should be expected frequently.

> Symptoms, including Kaposi's lesions, may be exacerbated, despite the

> ascorbate, during treatment for intestinal parasites.

> CANDIDA ALBICANS

>

> Candida should be sought and treated. It should be emphasized to

> patients that they owe it to themselves and society to treat the

> Candida consistently because of the possibility of breeding resistant

> strains. The possibility of candida in the gut, esophagus, mouth,

> sinuses, skin, etc. should be considered. In patients who clinically

> appear to have Candida but in whom Candida cannot be cultured,

> sensitivities to Candida should be suspected and treatment of

> especially the bowel should be considered. Herxheimer's reactions,

> when antibiotics against Candida are employed, should be considered

> one indication that Candida is a problem. In these sensitive patients,

> foods and vitamins containing yeasts should be avoided. Lactobacillus

> in large amounts should be fed to these patients in an attempt to

> normalize bowel flora. Sugar and refined carbohydrates should be

> avoided because Candida thrives on them.

>