April 13, 1998
Mr. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger
The New York Times Company
229 West 43 Street
New York, NY 10036
Dear Mr. Sulzberger:
I am growing more concerned about the dramatic conclusions
drawn in the April 9 article by Jane Brody STUDY FINDS PERIL
IN TAKING HIGH VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENT. I challenge Ms.
Brody and the New York Times to back up this sensational story.
(Mr. Sulzberger, for a balanced, accurate report may I recommend
Malcolm Ritter's AP article on this study.) We haven't been
able to find a single shred of hard evidence to back up the speculation
in the New York Times version, i.e. that high doses of Vitamin
C may be harmful.
As we dig into this report, we find that the basis
for Jane Brody's report was an ancillary, largely undocumented
result to the stated purpose of the study. The study's stated
purpose showed that vitamin C and well as vitamin E reduced the
indicators of oxidation damage by 50%! (We have asked Ms. Brody
if she can identify the methods used to make the comparison measurements,
and so far we have received no response. Mice were also mentioned
in the Brody article, but mice make their own vitamin C in large
amounts. We have many questions and no response from Ms. Brody.)
According to Emeritus Professor Emanuel Cheraskin,
MD, PhD, "there are more than ten thousand published
scientific papers that make it quite clear that there is not
one body process (such as what goes on inside cells and tissues)
and not one disease or syndrome (from the common cold to leprosy)
that that is not influenced (directly or indirectly) by Vitamin
C."
On the other hand, we have a single six week study.
On this basis, the New York Times, no less, decided to publish
a sensational article that has affected the thinking of millions.
(About the New York Times or Vitamin C, we are not sure which.)
If the Times can not back up this story, the health damage could
be enormous (depending on how seriously the American public takes
the article.) We request a retraction, or at the very least,
equal "time." It is only fair to publish the Foundation's
response in the same space given to Jane Brody. I await your
timely response.
Yours truly,
Owen R. Fonorow
Cc: Jane Brody PO Box 73172
Houston, Texas 77273
1-888-443-3634 Toll Free in the USA
1-281-443-3634 Everywhere
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