Vitamin C

A 500-Year Scientific Biography from Scurvy to Pseudoscience

De: Stephen M. Sagar MD

Narrado por: George Newbern

Vitamin C: A 500-Year Scientific Biography from Scurvy to Pseudoscience is the compelling story of the history and science behind vitamin C.

Vitamin C begins with scurvy, which afflicted Europe for four hundred years and killed millions. The reasons that a disease whose cure was known from the outset persisted over that time are at once baffling and familiar, and these trials eventually lead to invention of the science of epidemiology. Author Stephen M. Sagar MD then chronicles the discovery of vitamins at the beginning of the twentieth century, a story that encapsulates the rise of a scientific approach to nutrition but with surprising twists and turns. As vitamin science became more acquainted with the mainstream, scientist Linus Pauling reached new heights of fame and influence by popularizing the practice of taking megadoses of vitamin C to prevent colds–a claim that was not necessarily backed by data. This kickstarted the growth of the $40 billion vitamin and supplement industry, which has since prospered all while ignoring science.

This unique and engrossing narrative reveals how medical science functions in the real world and how it has changed over the centuries. Featuring swashbuckling sailors, arctic explorers, penny-pinching bureaucrats, academicians with clashing egos, and intrepid scientists working in malaria-infested jungle laboratories, the story of C is in many ways the story of how science gets done (and undone). From the trial and error of early explorers to the scientific breakthroughs made by biochemists and the birth of the modern supplement industry, this revelatory book tells the story of how cherished beliefs, self-interest, and politics often intertwine with scientific progress.

©2022 Ground Cherry Press LLC (P)2022 Ground Cherry Press LLC

The Rare Straight Shooter

While this was about Vitamin C, the best lesson was about science itself. It’s not just curiosity or the accumulation of data but putting it all together to tell a new story. Loved it.

Interesting review of Vitamin C

According to this author’s understanding of the facts, Linus Pauling‘s point of view on Vitamin C wasn’t based upon his own rigorous scientific research. That’s an issue to take into consideration when considering Pauling‘s point of view on the topic. Just so folks are clear, there are Doctors that have used high dose IV vitamin C for other things such as venom detox and heavy metal detox. Also vitamin C helps to increase Bifidobacteria in the gut which is useful. Doctors have used it in other ways to treat Hepatitis, Polio, etc. I would have liked to hear this author review more of the different facets of Vit C. Vit C is a big topic and this author did a good job making his points on the things he covered.

disappointing, biased, anti-orthomolecular book

the tone of this book is set from the start and unfortunately continues to the end.