(See the Linus Pauling memorial video (http://www.vitamincfoundation.org/videos) for a very interesting verbal report on a study that found vitamin C has a large positive effect on emphysema.)
There are numerous studies, some confusing because of low, infrequent dosages. The message from the following cross section is simple. The antioxidant vitamins are cheap, inexpensive, and nontoxic. Vitamin C may be the most important for lung health, especially if you smoke. With so little downside, why wouldn’t you want to supplement on a daily basis?
Lets begin with an overview by Dr. Joe Mercola
http://www.mercola.com/1998/archive/vitamin_c.htm
Vitamin C May Cut Lung Disease Risk
Mercola wrote:The results from three recent Western studies also suggest that vitamin C may lower the risk of obstructive emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and other forms of chronic lung disease. COPD is a major cause of death and disability in the US and other countries.
Another summary from Ivanhoe news service
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_chann ... oryid=3529
Lack of Vitamin C Linked to Respiratory Disorders ...
"A study has found that vitamin C may prevent symptoms associated with airway diseases such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The findings were published in the March 2, 2004, issue of the Proceedings of the [U.S.] National Academy of Sciences.
In the two-year study, researchers discovered that vitamin C supports the normal hydration of airway surfaces, while vitamin C deficiency may lead to dry, sticky mucus membranes lining the airway. Thus, low levels of vitamin C may play a role in the progression of common inflammatory airway diseases by making the airways susceptible to infections. "
More from Mercoloa. He describes yet another study that finds vitamin C, alone, is the factor in maintaining higher lung function.
More and more studies are finding dietary factors play a key role in lung function. In particular, there is evidence that individuals with a high intake of vitamin C, A, and E tend to have higher levels of lung function. Other studies have also suggested an association between higher magnesium intake with higher lung function and a reduced risk of asthma.
Nine years ago researchers from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom investigated the relationship between lung function and dietary intakes of magnesium, vitamin C and other antioxidant vitamins. Now, the researchers have repeated the study with half of the same individuals who were part of the first study. Participants answered questions about their diet, and smoking and had their breathing levels tested again.
The study finds, after adjusting for smoking, higher intakes of vitamin C and magnesium, but not vitamin A and E were associated with higher levels of lung function. Plus, the decline in lung function over the nine years was lowest among those who had the highest levels of vitamin C. The loss of function had no relationship between intake of magnesium, vitamin A or E.
Researchers conclude a high dietary intake of vitamin C or of foods rich in this vitamin may reduce the rate of loss of lung function in adults. This in turn may help to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
SOURCE: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2002;165:1299-1303
The next study finds that those with low vitamin C have higher inflammation, as would be predicted by the "vitamin C is an antioxidant" theory.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... med_DocSum
Plasma vitamin C concentrations in patients with cystic fibrosis: evidence of associations with lung inflammation.
abstract wrote:Vitamin C status and possible associations with the disease process in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients were investigated. Plasma vitamin C concentrations in patients from two different mid-European populations (Swiss, n = 62; Austrian, n = 60) taking no or low-dose vitamin C from multivitamin supplements did not differ from each other or from control subjects (n = 34). Vitamin C concentrations decreased with age (5.05 mumol.L-1, y-1). When followed up for 12 mo, patients had the highest plasma vitamin C concentrations in February and the lowest in May and August (P < 0.01); the decrease in vitamin C was accompanied by increases in plasma malondialdehyde (P < 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor alpha concentrations (P < 0.01). During supplementation with vitamin E for 2 mo or beta-carotene for 12 mo vitamin C concentrations did not change. They correlated inversely with white blood cell count (r = -0.36, P = 0.008), bands (r = -0.36, P = 0.02), alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (r = -0.45, P = 0.002), interleukin 6 (r = -0.46, P = 0.0006), and neutrophil elastase/alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes (r = -0.34, P = 0.02). In patients with vitamin C concentrations < 40 mumol/L, all indexes of inflammation were relatively high, whereas those with concentrations > 80 mumol/L (upper quartile of control subjects) showed clearly lower values. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that by scavenging oxygen free radicals vitamin C interacts with an inflammation-amplifying cycle of activation of alveolar macrophages and neutrophils, release of proinflammatory cytokines and oxygen free radicals, and inactivation of antiproteases.
If you smoke read the following. (As you know, we prefer guinea pigs studies.)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... med_DocSum
Vitamin C prevents cigarette smoke-induced oxidative damage in vivo.
Guinea pigs.
abstract wrote:In this paper, we substantiate the in vitro results with in vivo observations. We demonstrate that exposure of subclinical or marginal vitamin C-deficient guinea pigs to cigarette smoke causes oxidation of plasma proteins as well as extensive oxidative degradation of the lung microsomal proteins. Cigarette smoke exposure also results in some discernible damage of the heart microsomal proteins. The oxidative damage has been manifested by SDS-PAGE, accumulation of carbonyl and bityrosine, as well as loss of tryptophan and protein thiols. Cigarette smoke exposure also induces peroxidation of microsomal lipids as evidenced by the formation of conjugated dienes, malondialdehyde, and fluorescent pigment. Cigarette smoke-induced oxidative damage of proteins and peroxidation of lipids are accompanied by marked drop in the tissue ascorbate levels. Protein damage and lipid peroxidation are also observed in cigarette smoke-exposed pair-fed guinea pigs receiving 5 mg vitamin C/animal/day. However, complete protection against protein damage and lipid peroxidation occurs when the guinea pigs are fed 15 mg vitamin C/animal/day. Also, the cigarette smoke-induced oxidative damage of proteins and lipid is reversed after discontinuation of cigarette smoke exposure accompanied by ascorbate therapy. The results, if extrapolated to humans, indicate that comparatively large doses of vitamin C may protect the smokers from cigarette smoke-induced oxidative damage and associated degenerative diseases.
The following two studies indicate the importance of pregnant women taking vitamin C, or said another way, the danger to the fetus of a mother who does not obtain enough vitamin C. One of the dangers vitamin C can overcome is lung failure in premature infants.
The first is from the U. S. National Institutes of Health. (Normally we don’t like mouse models, but this one is different since the defect prevents the utilization of vitamin C.)
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/may2002/nhgri-01.htm
Vitamin C Transporter Gene Discovery In Mice Suggests Possible Role for Ascorbic Acid in Preventing Life-threatening Complications Seen in Premature Infants
Low Vitamin C Could Be Linked to Massive Brain Bleeding and Lung Failure in Premature Newborns"
NIH wrote:In what could provide new clues to the causes underlying the serious complications associated with premature birth, scientists at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) have discovered a possible link between reduced vitamin C availability during pregnancy, and the devastating respiratory failure and massive cerebral bleeding that can occur immediately following premature birth.
What surprised scientists was the discovery that the vitamin C-deprived mice died within minutes after birth due to massive cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) and complete respiratory failure when their lungs failed to expand. These severe health problems occurred whether the newborn mice were delivered normally after 21 days gestation, or delivered early at 18.5 to 19.5 days by Caesarian section to avoid birth trauma.
Monkeys are another good animal model because they don’t make their own vitamin C.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=23742
Vitamin C Supplementation Limits Effect of Nicotine on Primate Fetal Lung Tissue
Vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy in rhesus monkeys limited the deleterious effects of nicotine exposure to their offspring
Based on the above studies, every pregnant woman (and Reshus monkey) should be advised not to smoke and to supplement vitamin c.
Vitamin A
The following article is a finding that vitamin A may "cure" a lung disease.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3329103.stm
Vitamin may cure smoking disease
BBC wrote:A form of vitamin A could one day provide the basis for a cure for the smoking disease emphysema.
British researchers have found that retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, can cure the disease in mice.
Vitamin D
Researchers link vitamin D to healthier lungs
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051212/hl_ ... s_dc;_ylt=
AiXfWqJOs520a52.a_VxGccQ.3QA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
Fair and Balanced
Finally, we’ll end on a contrary note. The following German study claims that 500 mg daily of vitamin C has no clinical benefit for chronic bronchitis. We accept this result, and we thank Drs. Hickey and Roberts for explaining why.
This study concludes that 500 mg daily will not be of much clinical benefit. We don’t know from this study, however, if much larger doses applied more frequently in line with the Dynamic Flow model would have better results, and it is improper to extrapolate the conclusion to higher dosages.
We all wish medical researchers would ignore the "upper tolerable limits" and find out.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... med_DocSum
[Antioxidant treatment with N-acetylcysteine and vitamin C in patients with chronic bronchitis]
500 mg daily - no clinical benefit