MORE ABOUT COMMON VITAMINS: VITAMIN С

Ascorbic acid. Cevitamin acid. Usually measured in milligrams (mg.). In Europe, occasionally in Units: 1 mg. equals 20 Units.

Functions

Essential for the healthy condition of collagen, “intercellular cement”. Involved in all the vital functions of all glands and organs. Necessary for healthy teeth, gums and bones. Strengthens all connective tissues. Essential for proper functioning of adrenal and thyroid glands. Promotes healing in every condition of ill health. Helps prevent and cure the common cold. Protects against all forms of stress: physical and mental. Protects against harmful effects of toxic chemicals in environment, food, water and air. Counteracts the toxic effect of drugs. Has been used successfully in rattlesnake bite, and as a general natural antibiotic. Specific against fever, all sorts of infections and gastrointestinal disorders. General detoxicant. Specific protector against toxic effects of cadmium.

Deficiency symptoms

Deficiency may lead to tooth decay, soft gums (pyorrhea), skin hemorrhages, capillary weakness, deterioration in collagen, anemia, slow healing of sores and wounds, premature aging, thyroid insufficiency, lowered resistance to all infections and toxic effect of drugs and environmental poisons. Prolonged efficiency may cause scurvy.

Natural sources

All fresh fruits and vegetables. Particularly rich sources: rose hips, citrus fruits, black currants, strawberries, apples, persimmons, guavas, acerola cherries, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, turnip greens and green bell peppers.

MDR (minimum daily requirement):

Official recommendation: 30 to 70 mg. Therapeutically used in large doses, from 100 to 10,000 mg. a day. In acute poisonings or infections, 1,000 to 2,000 mg., preferably in injection form, can be given each 1 1/2 or 2 hours. Vitamin С is non-toxic, even in massive doses.

ABOUT COMMON VITAMINS: VITAMIN B17

Nitrilosides. Amygdalin. Known as Laetrile when used in medical dosage form. Measured in milligrams (mg.).
Functions
Specific preventive and controlling anti-cancer effect, as proposed by its discoverer,

Deficiency symptoms

Prolonged deficiencies may lead to diminished resistance to malignancies.

Natural sources

Most whole seeds of fruits and many grains and vegetables, such as apricot, peach and plum pits;

apple seeds;

raspberries, cranberries, blackberries and blueberries; mung beans, lima beans,

garbanzas;

millet, buckwheat and flaxseed.

MDR (minimum daily requirement):
Vitamin B17 is not accepted officially as a vitamin, and, thus, no need in human nutrition has been established. Therapeutic doses are determined by doctors who use it in cancer treatment. If apricot and other fruit pits are included in the diet for preventive purposes they should be used only in small amounts, only a few pits a day. It is considered that if the diet contains an abundance of whole seeds, grains, nuts, beans and other foods mentioned above, deficiency of this factor will be unlikely.