The discussion centers on the health effects of consuming V8 Splash drinks, particularly concerning the high levels of Vitamin C they contain. Participants explore potential side effects, the validity of high-dose Vitamin C claims, and the implications of regular consumption of such drinks.
Participants express a range of views on the safety and effects of high Vitamin C intake, with no clear consensus on the implications of consuming large amounts. Some agree that excess Vitamin C is generally excreted and not harmful, while others raise concerns about specific side effects and risks.
Limitations include the lack of consensus on the health effects of high Vitamin C intake, dependence on individual health conditions, and the variability in personal experiences with side effects. The discussion references studies and anecdotal evidence without definitive conclusions.
Ivan Seeking said:What is the latest on taking huge doses of C? Has Pauling's claims been refuted? I haven't read up on this issue for many years.
btw Moonbear, Pauling was an OSU guy.
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/
Med J Aust. 2001 Oct 1;175(7):359-62.
Mega-dose vitamin C in treatment of the common cold: a randomised controlled trial.
Audera C, Patulny RV, Sander BH, Douglas RM.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of large doses of vitamin C in the treatment of the common cold. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind, randomised clinical trial with four intervention arms: vitamin C at daily doses of 0.03g ("placebo"), 1 g, 3g, or 3g with additives ("Bio-C") taken at onset of a cold and for the following two days. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 400 healthy volunteers were recruited from staff and students of the Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, between May 1998 and November 1999. The trial continued for 18 months. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were instructed to commence medication when they had experienced early symptoms of a cold for four hours, and to record daily their symptoms, severity, doctor visits and use of other medications. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of symptoms and cold episodes; cumulative symptom severity scores after 7, 14 and 28 days; doctor visits; and whether participants guessed which medication they were taking. RESULTS: 149 participants returned records for 184 cold episodes. No significant differences were observed in any measure of cold duration or severity between the four medication groups. Although differences were not significant, the placebo group had the shortest duration of nasal, systemic and overall symptoms, and the lowest mean severity score at 14 days, and the second lowest at 7 and 28 days. CONCLUSIONS: Doses of vitamin C in excess of 1 g daily taken shortly after onset of a cold did not reduce the duration or severity of cold symptoms in healthy adult volunteers when compared with a vitamin C dose less than the minimum recommended daily intake.