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Why C is the forever vitamin

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones
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Why C is the forever vitamin

There’s an irony about the advertising woman who, in 1948, penned “A Diamond is Forever” to signify the enduring love of two people. Her name was Frances Gerety and she spent the bulk of her life alone. Diamonds do sparkle, but there’s a better “forever” companion.

Longtime readers will know I’ll choose vitamin C over diamonds or any other glitzy trend, and definitely over cholesterol lowering drugs. Vitamin C doesn’t have the high cost or glamourous glitter of diamonds, and it makes no one rich. But making high doses of vitamin C a part of my daily routine has allowed me to spend another quarter century with my wife and family after a heart attack that nearly ended things for me at age 74.

For me, vitamin C is the forever vitamin.

In understanding its true value, first get rid of a common misconception. Vitamin C is not just a nutrient! It’s also an antibiotic, and an antifungal, and a component of the immune system that attacks many different infections. And another trap is in thinking a small dose should be enough. For cardiovascular results, the dose must be high. Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel prize winner, told me he gets tired of repeating, “It’s the dosage.” With vitamin C, you cannot cause harm by increasing the dose.

Humans, unlike animals, don’t produce vitamin C. We lost this ability eons ago due to an unfortunate degenerative mishap in nature. Nearly all animals, with the exception of humans and the guineapig, day after day produce large amounts their own vitamin C. The key thing to realize about Dr. Pauling’s work is that he was not studying optimal amounts of C for healthy people. He was trying to figure out how much was needed to fight disease in unhealthy people, particularly those with heart disease. And this is where more research is still needed.

Here’s what we know. C decreases the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), which is associated with Type 2 diabetes, a problem of pandemic proportions worldwide. Hard arteries decrease the flow of blood to all organs of the body. This causes heart attack, kidney failure, blindness, and amputation of legs. Atherosclerosis is bankrupting our healthcare system. It’s a terrible personal tragedy, ruining quality of life. And it’s a societal nightmare we too readily ignore, costing us billions!

Constipation is easily cured by 2000 milligrams of vitamin C at bedtime. If this amount fails to do the job, take 4,000 mg the following night or two. This invariable works. In elderly people constipation may become so severe that fecal impaction results. This means an emergency visit to hospital for enemas along with removal of feces. You’ll wish you had taken vitamin C.

Painful swollen joints are sometimes due to weakened blood vessels lacking vitamin C. Weakened arteries rupture releasing small amounts of blood into the joint causing inflammation and pain.

Are you getting more colds than formerly or ones that hang on forever? This may be due to a chronic lack of vitamin C and a stressful event. For instance, an emotional event or upcoming surgery can reduce the level of vitamin C in the blood, sometimes by as much as 90 percent. If your tank is low, ask your doctor to give you time to build it up before surgery.

Add up all these benefits and many others associated with C, and you can understand why it’s my forever vitamin. It’s inexpensive, natural, and without the complications of prescription drugs. I’m convinced it has got me to my 101st year. What simpler therapy with better return could I ask for?

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Are Non-Alcoholic Beverages the Better Choice?

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones
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Are Non-Alcoholic Beverages the Better Choice?

Common Sense Health – W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford-Jones

Do we enjoy alcoholic drinks? We do! A relaxing drink before dinner with our loved ones is standard practice. We are supported by a landmark study involving 490,000 people involving the American Cancer Society, World Health Organization, and Oxford University that found one alcoholic drink daily decreased the risk of death by 20 percent. Moreover, moderate drinkers have increased levels of the good cholesterol. Platelets, part of the blood clotting process, are more slippery making them less likely to form a fatal blood clot. Medically, for moderate drinkers, it’s a win-win.

But irresponsible and heavy drinkers cause too many road deaths year after year. Excessive alcohol can also lead to family violence and many other societal ills. This is why non-alcoholic beverages need more promotion.

But instead of providing the alternative of a stylish, healthy non-alcoholic product, the problem remains. Whether it’s quitting smoking, going on a diet, or vowing, “I’ll stop drinking while driving in the New Year,” it rarely happens. Failing to make the change can be a deadly error. Why? 

Because driving while drunk can kill an innocent child or an entire family – unthinkable consequences for such carelessness. Even without such catastrophes, drinking and driving rightly amounts to criminal charges and jail time. So why not embrace the alternative? No one gets hurt from drinking a non-alcoholic beverage (NAB).

What are the advantages of NABs and why should we promote a new trend in drinking them? First, all the dangers of drinking are eliminated, including drunk driving. It’s estimated that the harmful use of alcohol causes 3 million deaths every year. Next, say good-bye to hangovers that cause three to eight times more absenteeism from work among heavy alcohol users. Hungover drinkers who make it to work are more likely to cause accidents leading to injuries. Heavy drinking also increases the risk of liver disease, brain damage, cancer, and immune system disfunction.

Swapping the empty calories of booze for a low-calorie NAB will help with weight loss. But people neglect to watch out for calories in alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks alike, and sugary drinks, including many wines, are no good in the fight against obesity and type 2 diabetes. NABs can be loaded with sugar too, so to get the benefit, do your research before making your selection.

Ask anyone who has decreased alcohol consumption and they will tell you they sleep better. If there’s been strife in the family from alcohol, adherence to NABs can restore happiness. And it will be big news if the trend away from alcohol to NABs results in a decrease in cancer rates.

Switching to NABs can be a financial gain too. Even just a few alcoholic drinks a week can add up to over a thousand dollars per year for the consumer.

But all this said, keep your mind open about the positive effects of alcohol. Alcohol in moderation has a relaxing effect that dilates arteries. This translates to a lower risk of heart attack and strokes caused by blood clots. As the saying goes, “Alcohol is for the elderly what milk is for the young.” For the depressed or anxious, alcohol isn’t the wise choice as a tool for coping, but a social drink with family and friends can be soothing at the end of a stressful day.

Taking the personal decision to drink NABs can be frustrated by friends that insist on pressing alcoholic drinks. Social settings that traditionally involve alcohol, like bars and restaurants can also be a problem. Everyone will need to adjust if the NAB trend is to grow. Let’s hear what readers think.

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Get fit in virtual reality

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones
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Get fit in virtual reality

Lao Tsu, the ancient Chinese philosopher, said, “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” Unfortunately, a lot of people are speeding to the wrong destination, each year putting on extra pounds and becoming more sedentary. But people do have choices. Make a change now to be more active, one way or another, or anticipate the inevitable earlier than necessary.

What’s a new way to get active that may seem unappealing to those who haven’t tried it yet? New research suggests that virtual reality (VR) might be the ticket, including for older adults. Strapping on a bulky headset and learning to use the technology are the first obstacles, but the benefits for those who get into the game are impressive.

VR can take many different forms, but here we are talking about computer-based equipment that enables users to interact with a simulated environment while getting feedback on performance.

In one study, a group of older citizens was supervised using VR equipment to engage in stretching, aerobic, and coordination exercises. In comparison with another group not exercising, the study participants improved their fitness, flexibility, strength, cardiorespiratory performance, balance and agility.

The technology can be fun. Admittedly, a pleasant walk around the block with the family dog is a wholesome tradition. But don’t preclude the idea of descending into the basement to where the kids have hooked up the VR equipment. It remains to be seen if older citizens will take up VR games for fitness, but science suggests we should promote it.

VR is emerging as a promising tool in the treatment of more than just general fitness. For Parkinson’s disease, innovative use of virtual reality games is proving more effective than traditional approaches to improve gait and balance and to reduce the risk of falls.

Researchers are now exploring the potential for VR exercises to produce better results in reducing pain, improving disability, enhancing range of motion, and increasing treatment satisfaction in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

VR is being used in the treatment of mental health problems too, with promising results in treating anxiety, schizophrenia, and substance-related and eating disorders. Among older adults, the technology is helping make more accurate diagnosis of cognitive impairments.

Researchers are also finding that people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia can benefit from VR experiences that evoke a sense of the familiar. At University College London, a VR game is being tested for effectiveness in identifying early signs of Alzheimer’s by assessing how well people navigate simulated surroundings.

A study conducted by Stanford University immersed seniors into virtual reality experiences such as parachuting, playing with puppies, or taking in panoramic views of remarkable places around the world. Researchers are measuring the extent to which participating in VR activities improve outlook and social connectivity.

Retirement communities and assisted living residences are taking note of the entertainment value, but also in the physical, mental and social elements of VR.

But it’s the effectiveness of VR in weight loss and general fitness that deserves more attention – for children, adults, and seniors alike. A study published in the Journal of Human Sport and Exercise involved two similar groups of people riding exercise bikes at the same level of resistance, with one group wearing VR headsets. “The data collected led to the conclusion that working out while wearing a virtual reality headset will lead to a higher heart rate, and in turn can lead to burning more calories during a workout.”

So treat VR as another option for exercising, and enjoy all the extra benefits.

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A too uncommon theory of medicine

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones
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A too uncommon theory of medicine

Are your health care providers trained in integrative medicine? It’s not an area of medical specialization, like gynaecology or gastroenterology. Think of it as a theory of medicine.

Doctors practicing integrative medicine respect the roles of prescription drugs and surgery when the situation calls for these treatments. But they also study and embrace the potential for natural remedies, lifestyle modifications, nutrition, and traditional practices in both health promotion and disease treatment.

Hippocrates, born in 460 BC, was the most influential philosopher of integrative medicine. He believed the human body should be treated as a whole, not as the sum of its parts.

Benedict Lust, born in 1872 in Baden, Germany, is regarded as the “Father of Naturopathy”, a form of alternative medicine whose legitimate members promote evidence-based natural remedies.

Then there is Linus Pauling. Through his research, he advanced the prevention and treatment of disease by studying how the body benefits from optimized amounts of substances which are natural to the body. Pauling was a molecular biologist.  His practice of orthomolecular medicine acknowledges the body’s biochemical pathways and genetic variabilities that interact with diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, and brain-related conditions.

Dr. Andrew Saul was the founder of the Orthomolecular Medical News Service, and with his death earlier this year, we lost one of the world’s foremost advocates for evidence-based natural therapies. He made it his life’s work to pass on a wealth of knowledge, including the message that natural remedies never killed anyone.

Prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs can’t make that claim.

Saul practiced what he preached. His home included a garden full of vegetables, and he stressed that for a few dollars it would produce thousands of dollars of fresh produce for his family.

Saul’s news service shares research papers from esteemed scientists from around the world. But it’s the simple messages that stick, and his reminders about the importance of vitamins are worthy of note.

Take the 80-year-old tennis player who had to stop playing his favourite game due to severe leg cramps. He wasn’t getting oxygenated blood to his leg muscles. After taking natural vitamin E, he was back on the court. Vitamin E increases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. This is the other reason E can stop anginal heart pain.

Saul chastised dermatologists for telling patients to keep out of the sun and to use sun block. He championed the need for 3,000 to 5,000 units of vitamin D daily to decrease the risk of multiple sclerosis and maintain our sense of balance as we age.

What irritated Saul the most? It was the failure of doctors to accept that vitamin C carries out so many vital health functions, and that it fights the number one killer, heart disease. He pointed to medical studies showing its effectiveness in fighting viral diseases such as pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis, polio and even the lethal bite of a rattlesnake.

He repeated over and over that no one had ever died from an overdose of vitamin C. If you take more than you body can use, it is excreted in the urine. Another fact he underscored was that the dose is so important – the greater the degree of infection the greater amounts of C needed to cure it.

Saul reported that in patients desperately ill with infection, in the process of dying, one decision could save them – that is, huge doses of vitamin C, such as 300,000 milligrams administered intravenously.

His final advice? Hospitals are the locus of death. So stay away, or get out of them quickly.

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Weight and Diet Strain Knees and Hips

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones
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Weight and Diet Strain Knees and Hips

Common Sense Health

W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford-Jones

How many thousands of knee and hip replacements, and how much pain, could be avoided by the right diet?

Arthritis has been called the chronic-care challenge of the 21st century. It is no small problem in economic terms either. A few months ago, The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, published startling statistics. Over the last 30 years, the global incidence of osteoarthritis has risen by132% to 595 million people. There is no sign of the disease slowing down and there’s no cure.

What does this mean? For public healthcare systems like Canada’s, it means ever more costs to the taxbase for higher and higher numbers of expensive knee and hip replacements.

Osteoarthritis is the “wear and tear” form of arthritis. Like aging car brakes that wear down with use, human joints begin to grate and scrape with age. It’s a fact that heavier vehicles need especially careful maintenance. People carrying excess weight should shed it to avoid unnecessary wear. But arthritis is caused by more than just heavy use and aging. Inadequate nutrition also sets the stage for arthritis.

The famous Framingham Health Study followed thousands of people for 40 years assessing risk factors for osteoarthritis.

The study showed that people with osteoarthritis who consumed over 9,000 international units of beta-carotene a day had decreased progression of this disease and were less likely to suffer from knee pain later in life. A Finnish study showed that people with low levels of beta-carotene were eight times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis as they aged. Beta-carotene is present in deep-coloured vegetables and fruits.

The same Framingham study underscored the importance of vitamin D. People with arthritic knees consuming less than 350 units developed arthritis at higher rates than those who took over 400 units a day. There’s good reason why.

Vitamin D is needed for the absorption of calcium. The typical dietary source of vitamin D is milk, one of nature’s nearly perfect foods. But few people drink enough milk daily.

The Framingham study uncovered another vital fact, that our joints need oil. But not all the oils we eat are equal. Our food contains different types of fatty acids. The good omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation; the bad omega-6 fatty acids trigger inflammation.

Obviously, it’s better to have more of the good oils than the bad ones. But North Americans eat 10 times more omega-6 than omega-3, and this sad reality triggers not only arthritis, but also heart disease. Research shows that death from heart attack may be the result of a combination of both clogged and inflamed coronary arteries.

The logical solution is to change our diet. Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables to obtain healthy vitamins. One carrot contains 20,000 international units of beat-carotene and a sweet potato with skin has 25,000 IU. Drink three glasses of milk daily or get the equivalent through supplementation.

Excellent sources of omega-3 are salmon, halibut and sardines. Omega-3 is also found in walnuts, beans, tofu, flaxseed oil, pecans and green leafy vegetables. A high-quality supplement like Certified Natural’s Omega-3X is recommended since few people eat enough of the dietary sources.

To avoid omega-6 oils reduce processed, frozen and boxed foods. Skip the crackers, cookies and most desserts. Buy the right cooking oils. Omega-6 is present in corn, sunflower and cottonseed oil. Olive, soybean and canola cooking oils contain omega-3.

Don’t neglect weight control. The pressure on your knees going upstairs is 2.5 times your body weight. Going downstairs, it is 3.5 times. Squatting amounts to 8 times the pressure. Weight reduction goes far to increasing the benefits of sound nutrition in preventing osteoarthritis.

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Cardiovascular Health 101

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones
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Cardiovascular Health 101

Common Sense Health

W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford-Jones

Heart attacks are common and deadly. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control acknowledges that one person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease. The Government of Canada reports about 14 adults aged 20 and over with diagnosed heart disease die every hour. But how many of these deaths are premature and preventable, and why don’t people take simple steps to save their lives?

Atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries, is a leading cause of heart disease. What doctors don’t do enough is educate patients on natural alternatives to prescription drugs. Why? Because most doctors aren’t trained in natural approaches to disease prevention.

Vitamin C and lysine can help prevent this condition by inhibiting the formation of arterial plaque. Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel Prize winner, studied how high doses of vitamin C protect against heart disease, particularly in arteries closest to the heart where pressure is greatest.

Vitamin C and lysine work synergistically to strengthen blood vessels, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, and promote overall heart function. Vitamin C, an antioxidant, protects the delicate lining of blood vessels from oxidative damage. Lysine, when present in sufficient quantities, aids in the removal of excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. Together, they reduce the risk of plaque formation and maintain clear and healthy arteries.

Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a structural protein that provides strength and flexibility to blood vessel walls. Lysine, in turn, contributes to collagen production and the repair of vascular tissues. This combined action strengthens blood vessels, reducing the likelihood of vessel wall weakness or rupture.

The cardiovascular benefits of high-dose vitamin C and lysine extend to improving overall heart function. By reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and maintaining vascular integrity, they support optimal blood flow, contributing to a healthier and more efficient heart.

Moreover, Vitamin C has been shown to lower blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease. It acts as a natural vasodilator, relaxing blood vessels and helping to regulate blood pressure levels.

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a type of lipoprotein associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Elevated Lp(a) levels are often linked to a higher likelihood of atherosclerosis. High-dose vitamin C has been found to help reduce Lp(a) levels.

A study published in the journal Biochemistry and Cell Biology found that a combination of vitamin C and lysine reduced oxidative stress and improved the function of endothelial cells which line the interior of blood vessels.

Additionally, research published in The Journal of the American College of Nutrition demonstrated that supplementation with vitamin C and lysine improved markers of cardiovascular health in individuals with high cholesterol levels.

What to do if you have already suffered a coronary attack and lived through it? Your doctor likely has you on cholesterol lowering drugs. You’ve probably been told that statins are the only choice you have. The list of side effects of these drugs – muscle pain, kidney and liver damage, and elevated blood sugar among them – can be managed, you’re told.

Why cardiologists are so closeminded to the alternative of high dose vitamin C and lysine is a frustrating problem. There are too many rich pharmaceutical companies influencing the practice of medicine. No one gets rich from a natural therapy that can’t be patented.

There is an alternative to taking statins after a heart attack. And there is a powerful rationale for preventing cardiovascular disease with daily high doses of vitamin C and lysine.

Your health is at stake. Take this article to your doctor and have a discussion. A naturopathic doctor is a good move for a second opinion.

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Large bowel cancer in younger people on the rise

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones
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Large bowel cancer in younger people on the rise

New statistics published by the American Cancer Society should be alarming. The numbers point to an increase in colon malignancy in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Yet, there’s been a decrease in large bowel cancer among those over the age of 65. In people under 50, the rate has been increasing by about two percent a year since the 1990s.

This data goes against a basic law. Most malignancies occur in older people, and this has been true of colon cancer. This new data sends up a red flag that should not go unnoticed.  Moreover, this is not just a North American trend. Large bowel cancer is on the also rise around the world. The question is, why has this occurred.

Colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men under the age of 50. And it’s the second leading cause for women under 50 years of age.

Large bowel cancer and rectal cancer are often linked together. And there is evidence that this increase may be related to an increase in rectal cancer. But it does not totally explain the increase.

Do genes play a role in the earlier onset of malignancy? A family history of the problem is a factor for some people.  For others, doctors have suspected that cell mutations may be the driving force. The presence of large precancerous polyps in the colon means a greater risk. But questions remain about why there is a rise in large bowel cancer among younger people.

Could it be that changing lifestyles all over the world play a role? Despite talk of healthier diets, people are eating more red meat than ever – up over 10% in the last decade and more of it consumed after processing into convenient foods. People are eating other highly processed foods, downing too much sugar, and binge drinking alcohol. Researchers have shown that some individuals have good bacteria in their intestines, others bad bacteria. There are also questions about nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These pain killers may have an adverse effect on the gut.

Clusters of malignancies are seen in some areas. In southern Mississippi, people living near chemical plants are exposed to trace elements such as nickel, arsenic, and chromium. Could these potentially toxic materials be associated with the increase in cancer?

Researchers are also aware of another pandemic, and not a viral disease lasting just three years. It’s the much worse global crisis of obesity, a long-enduring pandemic. The increase in obesity mirrors the increase in malignancies. But not all patients with colon cancer are overweight.

Experts contend there is no single smoking gun responsible for cancer. Multiple risk factors need to be addressed.

What can people do to decrease the risk of dying from colon cancer? People need to assist their doctors with early diagnosis. First, never assume rectal bleeding is due to hemorrhoids.

Second, colonoscopy is the only way to rule out malignancy. This requires laxatives that clean the bowel of fecal material. Then doctors insert a lighted instrument to examine the large bowel. This can be done under full anesthesia or with medication to relieve the minimal discomfort.

Please, do not listen to scaremongers saying colonoscopy is a painful procedure. It’s better labelled a discomfort. Sedation-free procedures are safe, and people can return to normal activities right away.

How many people with rectal bleeding have said, “No one is going to a colonoscopy on me,” and now are dead? Dying from a metastatic colon malignancy is many times more painful than the temporary discomfort of a colonoscopy. Don’t make this terrible mistake.

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Are the U.S. Presidential Candidates too old?

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones
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Are the U.S. Presidential Candidates too old?

It’s a question on the minds of most Americans, and others too. Biden is 81 and Trump 77. Are they sufficiently health of body and mind to be President? Neither candidate has agreed to a comprehensive and transparent assessment of their mental health. But their state of mind is important, particularly now, when Putin is threatening the use of nuclear weapons. Are they both afraid of getting a D result? And what about being honest with the American public, knowing they face an exhausting campaign?

At their ages, with a ton of luck, both have a life expectancy of around eight years. As for the chances of remaining healthy during that time, we would not bet on it. Biden walks with a stiffness now and it will increase with time. Trump faces a greater problem due to obesity. He is a walking model for cardiovascular disease, the big killer.

How well do they sleep? We have little doubt that Biden sleeps better. He also appears to be happily married, and that’s a huge plus. If better rested, he will have more energy to deploy his political skills to the campaign.

But does Trump ever sleep soundly? How can anyone believe he is happily married? He also must keep one eye on his many legal problems and other eye on his financial debts. Our bet is he tosses around in bed, a big negative for his overall health.

What about the inner character and soul of these two candidates? We are grateful to have spent many years of study and work in the US and we have lifelong friends there. But we wonder why half the population adores (or puts up with) Trump who lies through his teeth, demeans women, tried to buy votes, and could not accept a fair defeat. We would suggest that Trump desperately needs a psychiatrist, and we have questions about half the population of this great democracy too. Could not another candidate be found?

Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, a professor of neurology at the Harvard Medical School, says we need a neuropsychological examination of both Biden and Trump. This involves a series of 31 tests that can detect dementia and other brain dysfunction.

It’s frightening what the figures show. Between the ages of 65 and 69, three percent of people have dementia. By age 90, it increases to a whopping 35 percent!

The critical fact that we all, including presidents, have to accept is that getting older is very hazardous for the brain and all other parts of the body.

But why do Biden and Trump want this top job at their advanced ages, a job that is so demanding day after day in light of domestic challenges and the Russo-Ukrainian and Israel-Hamas wars? Of course, being President of the greatest country is the obvious answer. Moreover, a ton of privileges go with the task.

What will voters and the press have to accept? They must realize that Biden and Trump will continue to make elderly gaffes during interviews and speeches. Other age-related problems need to be anticipated.

Trumps family history must also cause some concern. His father suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in his mid 80s. According to the experts, Trumps chances of this disease increase by about 39 per cent. And both candidates must be extremely wary of falling. From 65 to 84, it’s the second leading cause of injury-related deaths.

How will this end? We believe there will be a medical tragedy due to their ages. We hope both of them choose healthy and extremely wise vice-presidents.

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The forever formula for good health and longevity

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones
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The forever formula for good health and longevity

Readers often ask me what it takes to reach 100. My answer is always the same. Good genes. Good luck. And a lifetime of good choices about my health. “What about your daily regimen of high dose vitamin C and lysine?” That’s right, I say. It’s my forever formula for health and longevity.

I’ve recommended all kinds of things to readers, like stepping on the bathroom scale every day, taking good care of teeth, getting sufficient fibre in the diet, and being wary of medication. My website (docgiff.com) has thousands of my articles posted, and although maybe not all of them have aged as well as I have been fortunate to do, readers can find all my recommendations there.

I’ve lived by my words. But above all else, it is the combination of vitamin C and lysine that have kept me alive this long – and especially after I experienced a heart attack at the age of 74. My doctors told me to take cholesterol lowering drugs (CLDs). But I know the side effects of those drugs. And I had interviewed Dr. Linus Pauling, two-time Nobel laurate, about his research on high dose vitamin C.

In keeping with my conviction that alternative and natural approaches can be better remedies to some problems than pharmaceutical drugs, I opted to pass on CLDs and take high dose vitamin C and lysine for the rest of my life.

It is a testament to that decision, that at the age of 100, I am still here to recommend my “forever formula”. CardioVibe is a high dose vitamin C and lysine powder with magnesium, coenzyme Q10, quercetin, and L-proline. This is not another fad; it’s a commonsense combination designed to provide with the best chance for cardiovascular health, immune system support, and longevity.

Vitamin C and lysine are two nutrients that have been individually celebrated for their immense health benefits. Their synergy, too, is nothing short of remarkable. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a potent antioxidant that boosts the immune system, supports collagen production, and protects against oxidative damage. But when Vitamin C is combined with lysine, the cardiovascular system benefits.

What else makes up my forever formula? Magnesium supports hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body. It aids in muscle function, nerve transmission, and bone health. It plays a pivotal role in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Additionally, magnesium helps with relaxation, making it an excellent choice for stress reduction and sleep improvement.

Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a powerful antioxidant that plays a vital role in cellular energy production. As we age, our CoQ10 levels naturally decline, which can lead to fatigue and decreased vitality for you and for your organs.

Quercetin, a bioflavonoid found in various fruits and vegetables, serves as a natural defender against inflammation and oxidative stress. L-proline is an amino acid, crucial for collagen formation.

Now, why do I call it the “forever formula”? The answer is simple – because preventing the build up of plaque in the arteries is not accomplished in one day. And the miniscule doses you will get in your diet or in a standard supplement will prevent scurvy and vitamin C deficiency, but not cardiovascular disease. High doses must be taken every day, always, for life.

I, at 100 years of age, believe in the power of science and nature to provide us with the tools for healthier, longer lives. And both science and nature are clear that high doses of vitamin C in combination with lysine assist with cardiovascular and immune health and do no harm over long-term use, unlike CLDs.

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Life in an iron lung is a test of tolerance

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones
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Life in an iron lung is a test of tolerance

Reading a recent tribute to the life of Paul Alexander brought back horrible memories for me. Paul Alexander was only six years of age when he developed polio. The result? He spent the rest of his life enclosed in an iron lung. I too had polio in my final year at the Harvard Medical School. If my fate had been life in an iron lung, I would have begged someone to kill me.

It’s not just memories of polio that trouble me. It’s also some people’s long-festering misinterpretation of my stand on vaccines, including some editors who got my message totally wrong.

The polio vaccine hadn’t been invented when Alexander and I contracted the disease in the 1940s. Given the consequences for Alexander, he could have given in to depression. Rather, what he accomplished by sheer will power is astounding. He studied economics at the University of Texas and then took a law degree from the same university, all while enclosed in an iron lung.

A lifelong friend, Daniel Spinks, attributed Alexander’s successes to his positive attitude about life, sense of humour, and strong feeling about God. Spinks proved his dedication by driving Alexander to court appearances, which must have required bravery too, on both their parts.

Alexander was able to escape from his iron lung for up to six hours at a time by gulping air. But according to Spinks, as he got older, even short escapes were too difficult. Even so, Alexander lived his life telling people they could do great things.

In 1949, during my last year in training at Harvard, I awakened one morning with a devastating headache. Later that day I was admitted to hospital and a spinal test diagnosed polio. The following morning, I could not move my legs and paralysis of my abdominal muscles meant I could not sit up. I well remember distinguished professors telling me there was no way to stop the paralysis. I believed my plans to be a surgeon were finished.

But I got lucky. After several weeks of therapy, I regained the use of my muscles. And I did become a surgeon. It was a close call. Then vaccines in the early1950s became available to prevent polio.

I started reading about vaccines as a teenager and how Pasteur and other researchers had developed vaccines to prevent a number of diseases. To be clear, I have never, never been against vaccines. But I have warned readers that on rare occasions vaccines cause complications. Governments have paid compensation to some patients. Even aspirin can trigger problems, not to mention the dangerous side effects of many prescription drugs. But my column was discontinued in a few newspapers as some people screamed lies about my position on vaccines.

Readers will recall the anti-vaccination group of abhorrent protestors who brought chaos to Ottawa for several weeks. I wondered why it was allowed to last so long.

I also wondered how these rowdies would have reacted if a polio epidemic had been raging in Ottawa. What if they had witnessed people being paralyzed by this terrible disease? Would they have condemned these people to living the rest of their lives in an iron lung? Or would they acknowledge that the polio vaccine is the reason why such scenarios are unheard of today?

Vaccines have saved countless lives. They have occasionally brought harm to some as well. There is no perfection with vaccines or many other aspects of medicine. People need to inform themselves and make personal decisions. Everyone should respect the choices people make.

Reader responses would be highly welcomed.

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