Vital C scam or not?

vital c scam or not?

Vital C is one of the many Networking/MLM companies that exploits one form of vitamin C which is a salt called sodium ascorbate. The company have been around for years founded by Mr Richard L. King. As of the time of this writing they already have a wide range of products but still their main product is the Vitamin C supplement. The major advantage of sodium ascorbate than the usual Vitamin C is its higher PH level compared to Ascorbic acid, which means less irritating and can be taken in higher doses. It can even be safely administered via IV. 

What is the problem with Vital C?

With sodium ascorbate form itself there is no problem. It offers a more bio-available source of vitamin C and sure enough it has wide range of advantages compared to the much cheaper form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). The main problem here is the regulation, caution and education with the disadvantages of sodium ascorbate that is not stressed by Vital C.
I heard a lot of stories told by its distributors that Vital C has no overdose, anyone can can take is as much as they want and even encourage people to take ridiculously high doses of it for optimum health. For me it looks like they do not know what they are doing or they do not care about the danger they put people into, all they are after are the sales of their product.

I visited their official website to look for any dosage instructions or warnings but I did not found any. Instead I found some claims that I think is questionable.
see pic below:

This picture was taken from their official website: http://www.vital-c.com/main/?cat=8 

I marked it with red lines and circles to take note of those terms that I think is controversial and a proof that there is an advertisement of unregulated intake.

 

Why is it important to regulate sodium ascorbate?

Sodium ascorbate does not only comes with benefits. It also comes with considerations, warnings and side effects. This is the part where I think Vital C failed to let people know or maybe they do not want you to know. But I believe you need to know.

Read this article from livestrong.com

Effects

Sodium ascorbate and other forms of vitamin C are important for the health of bones, connective tissues and blood vessels, and help the body to absorb iron needed for the production of red blood cells. The Linus Pauling Institute notes that vitamin C also acts as a highly effective antioxidant, preventing damage to essential molecules in the body.

Benefits

Humans do not have the ability to make vitamin C, and must receive it through food sources or nutritional supplements. The FDA recommended daily allowance for vitamin C is 75 to 90 mg per day. Sodium ascorbate supplements benefit those who do not eat a diet high in vitamin C. Sodium ascorbate is preferred over ascorbic acid by those who want to avoid food acidity. This chemical can be added to many foods without affecting their flavor, although sodium ascorbate taken by itself carries a slightly salty taste.

Considerations

Because sodium ascorbate contains sodium, this form of vitamin C should be avoided by those following a low-sodium diet. A sodium tipsheet provided by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion cautions those trying to avoid sodium to limit their intake of sodium ascorbate and other food additives containing sodium. Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin C supplements, because some medicatons and health conditions can affect the way vitamin C is absorbed by the body.

Warning

Taken in high doses, sodium ascorbate can lead to negative health effects, including diarrhea, skin irritation and chest pain, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. The recommended upper limit for intake of all forms of vitamin C, including sodium ascorbate, has been set by the FDA at 2,000 mg daily. Prolonged high levels of sodium ascorbate can also damage the kidneys, upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. Some people may experience an allergic reaction, particularly if taking high doses of vitamin C. Talk to your doctor before taking sodium ascorbate if you have a history of kidney or liver problems or are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

References

• Linus Pauling Institute: The Bioavailability of Different Forms of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
• PubMed.gov: Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold
• Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine: Vitamin C. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C
• Arkansas Department of Health: Arkansas Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act
• USDA: Salt and Sodium: 10 Tips to Cut Back

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/168202-what-is-sodium-ascorbate/#ixzz29Hd0GIxn

   

From the article above, we learned that sodium ascorbate should be moderated in various medical conditions that requires a low sodium diet. From this, two questions pops out in my mind. One, what are these medical conditions? Two, how common are these? I believe that the more common it is the more people is at risk of this what I thought to be a wrong advertisement practice of Vital C. I did my due diligence and these medical conditions came out. 

Hypertension, Congestive Heart Failure and Kidney failure. 

(see: http://www.livestrong.com/article/411248-medical-conditions-requiring-a-low-sodium-diet/)

Now, does this medical condition looks rare to you?

 

Sodium ascorbate's disadvantages

Disadvantages is not only for ascorbic acid vitamin C, it is also present in sodium ascorbate. Even if Vital C did not mention any, it does not meat that there is none. 

Here below are some of them:

Blood Pressure Effects

One disadvantage of sodium ascorbate is its sodium content. Upon ingestion, the compound into broken into two components: the ascorbate that acts as functional vitamin C, and a sodium ion. As a result, consuming sodium ascorbate counts toward your sodium intake for the day, and excess consumption of both sodium ascorbate and sodium-containing processed foods may lead to high blood pressure over time, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. If you already suffer from high blood pressure, limit your intake of sodium ascorbate, or consider taking a different type of vitamin C supplement.

  

Kidney Stones

Another possible disadvantage of sodium ascorbate supplementation is an increased risk of kidney damage and the formation of kidney stones. Your kidneys contain thousands of specialized structures, called nephrons, that act as blood filtering units. Cells within the nephrons form filtration barriers, keeping nutrients in your bloodstream, while transporting waste products into the urine. Increasing the amounts of chemicals in the blood, such as through high supplementation with sodium ascorbate, can put a strain on your kidneys as they filter your blood. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) explains that high levels of vitamin C, including sodium ascorbate, lead to the formation of crystals within the kidney, eventually causing potentially painful kidney stones. You can reduce your risk of kidney stones by limiting your vitamin C intake to 1000 mg per day, according to UMMC.

Genetic Mutations

In cases of high levels of supplementation with sodium ascorbate, you may experience serious health effects. One major disadvantage of high sodium ascorbate supplementation is an increased rate of genetic mutation. At high doses, sodium ascorbate acts as a carcinogen -- it can induce the development of genetic mutations in your cells. If you regularly take high doses of the supplement, your cells may develop cumulative mutations that may eventually lead to abnormal cell behavior. The Linus Pauling Institute explains that gene mutations due to excess vitamin C or sodium ascorbate supplementation can lead to cancer, as well as birth defects in a developing fetus. You can prevent this harmful side effect of sodium ascorbate by taking the supplement at a dosage recommended by a medical professional.

References

• Linus Pauling Institute: The Bioavailability of Different Forms of Vitamin C
• Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin C
• University of Maryland Medical Center: Kidney Stones

Article reviewed by Brandon Nolta Last updated on: Apr 26, 2011

 Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/335882-the-disadvantages-of-sodium-ascorbate/#ixzz29HuLudvY

If you did read the articles it will now be clear that there are lots of the claims Vital C make that needs changing. Have a look at this another screen shot from their website:

 As you can see in the picture above, again I marked those phrases with red lines that I want you to take note of. I found it very wrong to encourage pregnant women to take HIGH doses of sodium ascorbate with the study presented by Vital C company that is more than 60 years old . I did not even see links of that said study as a reference. 

In addition, The article above that discussed the disadvantages of sodium ascorbate is updated (Article reviewed by Brandon Nolta Last updated on: Apr 26, 2011). And as you can see, it is a complete contradiction to what Vital C advise to pregnant mothers. A quote from the article about Genetic Mutation effect of sodium ascorbate clearly states "In cases of high levels of supplementation with sodium ascorbate, you may experience serious health effects. One major disadvantage of high sodium ascorbate supplementation is an increased rate of genetic mutation" and "Linus Pauling Institute explains that gene mutations due to excess vitamin C or sodium ascorbate supplementation can lead to cancer, as well as birth defects in a developing fetus".

This evidence convince me more that Vital C only cares about the sales of their sodium ascorbate vitamins and is willing to deceive people by using outdated study results that only benefits them.

 

My final words

Please do not get me wrong, I do not intend to bad mouth anyone but I need to present the facts in this situation. I need to let people be aware about the dangers brought about by wrong advertising practice. This is also not against sodium ascorbate, this is about the exaggerated health claims and excessive intake advice of Vital C that will potentially harm the public. 

The discovery of sodium ascorbate is wonderful, and it really has a lot to benefit peoples health. However, when abused it will also harm us. So I truly belive it must be regulated. 

 

Furthermore, this better form of vitamin C is more expensive than the common form ascorbic acid. And I am afraid this might not be easily accessible for the poor. They are the ones that need it badly. 

With this problem I think I maybe of help. I found out that you can easily make your sodium ascorbate at home using the cheap ascorbic acid and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) 

 

How to make sodium ascorbate at home 

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Ascorbic acid powder
• Baking soda

Instructions

1. Mix 2 tbsp. ascorbic acid powder with 1 tbsp. baking soda.

2. Add a small amount of water. The mixture will begin to fizz.

3. Mix gently until the fizzing stops. What you have left is sodium ascorbate. 

Tips & Warnings

• Dosing remedies may vary. Be sure to check with your health care provider before taking any supplements.

Read more: How to Make Sodium Ascorbate | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5495189_make-sodium-ascorbate.html#ixzz29IRbA0lx

 

Disclaimer

This article is not an accusation but is just purely my thoughts and opinions as a result of my own research, critical thinking and common sense. I am also not a professional in any field so this article should not be treated as such. 

If you wish to add a point, suggest an edit, agree or disagree with me your valuable comments are welcomed below. :)