Penn & Teller: Bullshit! - Alternative Medicine

[juice797]

Still stand by the notion that buying "organic" or "non-GM" vitamin C could be a bunch of hogwash. Ascorbic acid is vitamin C is ascorbic acid. The other components, well, like you said juice797, you'll have to do your own research and not make assumptions.

I agree with you.

I never said a thing about organic or non-GM vitamin C. If you're buying ascorbic acid, then organic or non-GM doesn't mean a thing. If I led you to assume otherwise by not addressing this directly, I apologize.

 

[thuja]

I agree with you.

I never said a thing about organic or non-GM vitamin C. If you're buying ascorbic acid, then organic or non-GM doesn't mean a thing. If I led you to assume otherwise by not addressing this directly, I apologize.

it would still mean a great deal to someone who did not wish to support genetic engineering.
the vitamin companies should be supplying cassava or other non gmo vitamin C, and non gmo vitamin E and others. several are doing so already, as people are demanding non gmo supplements as well as food.

 

[thuja]

I agree with you.

I never said a thing about organic or non-GM vitamin C. If you're buying ascorbic acid, then organic or non-GM doesn't mean a thing. If I led you to assume otherwise by not addressing this directly, I apologize.

how, exactly, is the ascorbic acid isolated, and what is done with the remander of the corn product, i wonder?

 

[juice797]

Well, for supplementation, solution isn't to buy isolated ascorbic acid. Anyone would be better off getting real "vitamin C" with a whole food supplement like organic nonGM rosehips/camucamu/bitterorange/tomato etc. vege capsules or powder.

 

[amy31416]

All of this can be solved by just eating foods that are high in vitamin C. Check out this list of foods, it's actually somewhat surprising to see which foods have high C content:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_C#Natural_and_artificial_dietary_sources

 

[yongrel]

All of this can be solved by just eating foods that are high in vitamin C. Check out this list of foods, it's actually somewhat surprising to see which foods have high C content:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_C#Natural_and_artificial_dietary_sources

Is there any proof that Vitamin C really is beneficial though?

I was under the impression that Linus Pauling went crazy after his wife died, and pulled Vitamin C out of his ass. I'm not terribly educated about it though.

 

[thuja]

vit B12

i thought there was no vit B12 in a vegetarian diet, and was occassionally taking methylcobalamin or synthetic b12. i just read somewhere yesterday that wheat grass, unlike vegetables, contains it.
maybe it was in wikipedia.

 

[thuja]

evidently, wheatgrass can be a source for mold, so it's important to grow it right. the mold may be the reasons for headaches, and not as much from a detoxification effect.

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

So what do you think about the guy that cracks the bones of babies? lol.. surprised no one mentioned him.

 

[thuja]

So what do you think about the guy that cracks the bones of babies? lol.. surprised no one mentioned him.

i wonder about the babiy"s parents. did they ask to have this done due to their own success with chiropractic adjustments?
the baby did not go to the chiropractor by himself.

people get very enthusiastic about health ideas, and foist them onto others, sometimes without proper consideration for the other's circumstances. most health practices are either helpful or without ill effect, but some could be a mistake. i am unaware of the benefit of chiropractics for babies.

my favorite, though, is the snail facial, showing the power of suggestion. that power can be wisely used by us all, in visualizing healing, but those people look so stupid.

 

[amy31416]

Is there any proof that Vitamin C really is beneficial though?

I was under the impression that Linus Pauling went crazy after his wife died, and pulled Vitamin C out of his ass. I'm not terribly educated about it though.

Linus did go a bit apey and wrote a couple of pretty controversial books on Vitamin C. A shame, his early work in chemistry is truly outstanding.

Vitamin C is beneficial for some obvious reasons--scurvy being the main one. So, yes, we do need it. People who mega-dose on it though are just asking for kidney problems.

Personally, I don't take any vitamin supplements, they've made me feel like vomiting many times, and on a few occasions, actually have made me puke. So, I eat a bowl of fortified cereal when I don't think I'm getting good amounts of nutrition from the rest of the food I'm eating. Other than that, I just rely on what I eat.

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

i wonder about the babiy"s parents. did they ask to have this done due to their own success with chiropractic adjustments?
the baby did not go to the chiropractor by himself.

people get very enthusiastic about health ideas, and foist them onto others, sometimes without proper consideration for the other's circumstances. most health practices are either helpful or without ill effect, but some could be a mistake. i am unaware of the benefit of chiropractics for babies.

my favorite, though, is the snail facial, showing the power of suggestion. that power can be wisely used by us all, in visualizing healing, but those people look so stupid.

lol. I bet the snails did feel good though.

 

[yongrel]

Linus did go a bit apey and wrote a couple of pretty controversial books on Vitamin C. A shame, his early work in chemistry is truly outstanding.

Vitamin C is beneficial for some obvious reasons--scurvy being the main one. So, yes, we do need it. People who mega-dose on it though are just asking for kidney problems.

Personally, I don't take any vitamin supplements, they've made me feel like vomiting many times, and on a few occasions, actually have made me puke. So, I eat a bowl of fortified cereal when I don't think I'm getting good amounts of nutrition from the rest of the food I'm eating. Other than that, I just rely on what I eat.

Well, I know that Vitamin C is necessary for several bodily functions and preventing scurvy and what not, but does it really have the health benefits people say it does?

It always seemed to me that Vitamin C was an easy way for food manufacturers to increase their sales by claiming a cheap additive was "healthy."

I'd read that most of the Vitamin C health craze started with Linus going cuckoo for cocoa puffs.

 

[amy31416]

Well, I know that Vitamin C is necessary for several bodily functions and preventing scurvy and what not, but does it really have the health benefits people say it does?

It always seemed to me that Vitamin C was an easy way for food manufacturers to increase their sales by claiming a cheap additive was "healthy."

I'd read that most of the Vitamin C health craze started with Linus going cuckoo for cocoa puffs.

Honestly, there's so many claims and so much BS out there that started with Pauling that I really can't make any definitive statement other than, "yeah, we need it." But how much is good? I don't know. From my trusty Merck Manual (home edition,) the synopsis is this:

"Vitamin C Deficiency: Vitamin C is essential for the formation of connective tissue. It helps the body absorb iron and recover from burns and wounds. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, overactivity of the thyroid gland, various kinds of inflammation, surgery and burns all can significantly increase the body's requirements for vitamin C and the risk of a deficiency." Then they go on to list scurvy, bleeding gums, weakness, fluctuations of BP and heart rate.

"Vitamin C Excess: 500 to 10,000 mg have been recommended by some to prevent the common cold, schizophrenia, cancer, hypercholesterolemia and artheriosclerosis. However, these recommendations have little to no scientific support. Doses higher than 1,000mg/day cause diarrhea, kidney stones and changes in the menstrual cycle. Some people who stop taking high doses develop rebound scurvy."

Their listed Daily Adult Requirement is 60mg. So, my opinion is that you adjust that number within reason, for any particular condition you might have. But, if you drink fortified juice and eat the right foods, there's probably no real reason for supplementation.

Ever take a vitamin and notice how it changes the color of your urine? Yep, that's all the water soluble vitamins that you just paid a fortune for being flushed down the toilet.

 

[yongrel]

Honestly, there's so many claims and so much BS out there that started with Pauling that I really can't make any definitive statement other than, "yeah, we need it." But how much is good? I don't know. From my trusty Merck Manual (home edition,) the synopsis is this:

"Vitamin C Deficiency: Vitamin C is essential for the formation of connective tissue. It helps the body absorb iron and recover from burns and wounds. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, overactivity of the thyroid gland, various kins of inflammation surgery and burns all can significantly increase the boy's requirements for vitamin C and the risk of a deficiency." Then they go on to list scurvy, bleeding gums, weakness, fluctuations of BP and heart rate.

"Vitamin C Excess: 500 to 10,000 mg have been recommene by some to prevent the common cold, schizophrenia, cancer, hypercholesterolemia and artheriosclerosis. However, these recommendations have little to no scientific support. Doses higher than 1,000mg/day cause diarrhea, kiney stones an chenges in the menstrual cycle. Some people who stop taking high doses develop rebound scurvy."

Their listed Daily Adult Requirement is 60mg. So, my opinion is that you adjust that number within reason, for any particular condition you might have. But, if you drink fortified juice and eat the right foods, there's probably no real reason for supplementation.

Ever take a vitamin and notice how it changes the color of your urine? Yep, that's all the water soluble vitamins that you just paid a fortune for being flushed down the toilet.

Danke. That clears that up.

 

[Bladestunner316]

Dont people relaize that they should get adivce from comedians?? There sole purpose to make money off of your ignorance.

 

[yongrel]

Dont people relaize that they should get adivce from comedians?? There sole purpose to make money off of your ignorance.

It's a good thing we're watching P&T then. They're not comedians.

 

[amy31416]

Dont people relaize that they should get adivce from comedians?? There sole purpose to make money off of your ignorance.

Ironically enough, the companies who make supplements sole purpose is also to make money off your ignorance and promote taking giant quantities of their product, just to piss it down the toilet and possibly cause a little damage in the process.

 

[thuja]

fortified foods

i would trust the cereal makers and milk sellers and other food makers even less than the supplement companies. plus, where does anyone think the food companies get the supplements that are added to the prepared foods?

it is easier to give the responsibility for health to these corporations, though, if you really trust them.

 

[sratiug]

Honestly, there's so many claims and so much BS out there that started with Pauling that I really can't make any definitive statement other than, "yeah, we need it." But how much is good? I don't know. From my trusty Merck Manual (home edition,) the synopsis is this:

"Vitamin C Deficiency: Vitamin C is essential for the formation of connective tissue. It helps the body absorb iron and recover from burns and wounds. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, overactivity of the thyroid gland, various kinds of inflammation, surgery and burns all can significantly increase the body's requirements for vitamin C and the risk of a deficiency." Then they go on to list scurvy, bleeding gums, weakness, fluctuations of BP and heart rate.

"Vitamin C Excess: 500 to 10,000 mg have been recommended by some to prevent the common cold, schizophrenia, cancer, hypercholesterolemia and artheriosclerosis. However, these recommendations have little to no scientific support. Doses higher than 1,000mg/day cause diarrhea, kidney stones and changes in the menstrual cycle. Some people who stop taking high doses develop rebound scurvy."

Their listed Daily Adult Requirement is 60mg. So, my opinion is that you adjust that number within reason, for any particular condition you might have. But, if you drink fortified juice and eat the right foods, there's probably no real reason for supplementation.

Ever take a vitamin and notice how it changes the color of your urine? Yep, that's all the water soluble vitamins that you just paid a fortune for being flushed down the toilet.

So when I don't drink enough and my urine is yellow it's because I absorbed vitamin c from the air, I suppose?

Isn't the purpose of anti-oxidant vitamins to rid the body of contaminants? What better way than urination?