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THE VITAMIN C CONNECTION So, macrophages activated by beta-1,3D-glucan perform Sometimes it is useful to compare the activity of a macrophage strongly for a short while until they use up all their available vita- with the activity of a motor car. In order to activate the car, one —_ min C; then, due to lack of vitamin C, their performance may be first needs the car key to switch on the car. This is analogous to impaired. the way beta-1,3D-glucan can activate the macrophage cell. In So vitamin C supplementation would seem to be a necessary order for the car to be used a lot, it obviously needs a constant adjunct to beta-1,3D-glucan therapy. supply of fuel; so, similarly, a macrophage also needs a regular The synergistic relationship between beta-1,3D-glucan and vita- supply of fuel, especially when it is activated. This is the function min C is clearly demonstrated by in vitro studies on prostate can- of vitamin C. cer. Researchers achieved a greater than 95 per cent prostate can- It has been shown that the concentration of ascorbic acid (vita- cer cell death by using a certain level of mushroom-derived beta- min C) ina mature macrophage can reach 1,000 times the concen- glucan. Yet they later found that by adding vitamin C, the same tration of ascorbic acid in the blood.” level of cancer cell death could be Yet it has also been shown that when achieved using only one-eighth macrophages are activated with beta- of the amount of beta-glucan.” 1,3D-glucan, they exhibit a signifi- The addition of vitamin C multi- cant drop in their vitamin C content.” plied the effectiveness of the This is because they are burning fuel. AH . . beta-glucan. Vitamin C is a kind of fuel that is The addition of vitamin C There is much evidence to macrophage to function properly. | MUIfiplied the effectiveness Pore sr sctact-sD-etucan When macrophages are not activated, of the beta-glucan. However, Western medicine is then the body does not use up much an evidence-based medicine. vitamin C; but once macrophages are With so many conventional activated, the body uses up its supply Western medicines having of vitamin C at a very fast rate. It immunosuppressive effects, is it has been shown that it is the colony not time for the medical profes- stimulating factor, produced by an sion to look for an immune- activated macrophage, that causes our macrophages to uptake this booster which can enhance the effects of conventional medicines extra vitamin C.“ In fact, if the activated macrophage does not and improve patient outcomes? get an adequate supply of vitamin C, it is unable to function People are looking for natural healing, and such natural healing properly. can be stimulated through the use of the immune system Studies have shown that animals fed vitamin C-deficient diets enhancer, beta-1,3D-glucan. © develop much fewer and smaller macrophages, and those macrophages have an impaired ability to move around the body to | About the Author: where they are needed.** Peter Olson, BA, DipEd, has formal training in psychology Additionally, vitamin C-deficient macrophages show a _ and schoolteaching. As a result of friends and a family mem- decreased ability to generate anti-cancer and bacteria-killing ber developing cancer, he has spent the last six years con- chemicals such as superoxide, even if they are activated."° ducting health research. multiplied the effectiveness of the beta-glucan. About the Author: Peter Olson, BA, DipEd, has formal training in psychology and schoolteaching. As a result of friends and a family mem- ber developing cancer, he has spent the last six years con- ducting health research. of solid tumors in mice. Biosci. Rep. Sept 21. Babineau, T.J., Hackford, A., Kenler, A., 24. Browder, W., Williams, D., Pretus, H., 1986; 6(9):845-851. Bistrian, B., Forse, R.A., Fairchild, P.G., Olivero, G., Enrichens, F., Mao, P. and 16. Mansell, P., Ichinose, H., Reed, R.J., Heard, S., Keroack, M., Caushaj, P. and Franchello, A. (Tulane University, New Krementz., E.T., McNamee, R. and Di Luzio, Benotti, P. (Harvard Medical School, Boston, Orleans, USA). 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Vogel, S.B., Norman, J., Kaufman, D., 26. Williams, D.L. and Di Luzio, N.R. 18. Gomaa, K., Kraus, J., Rosskopf, F., Galandiuk, S. and Condon, R.E. (University of Glucan-induced modification of murine viral Roper, H. and Franz, G. Antitumour and Washington School of Medicine). Effect of hepatitis. Science 4 April 1980; 208(4439):67-9. immunological activity of a beta 1-3/1-6 glu- PGG-glucan on the rate of serious postopera- 27. Patchen, M.L., MacVittie, TJ. and Weiss, can from Glomerella cingulata. J. Cancer tive infection or death observed after high-risk J.F. Combined modality radioprotection: the Res. Clin. Oncol. 1992; 118(2):136-40. gastrointestinal operations. Arch. Surg. Sept use of glucan and selenium with WR-2721. 19. See http://www.edenet.com/dictionary. 1999; 134(9):977-83. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. May 1990, asp. 23. De Felippe, Jr, J., da Rocha e Silva, Jr, 18(5):1069-75. 20. Babineau, T.J., Marcello, P., Swails, W., M., Maciel, F.M., Soares, A. de M. and 28. Patchen, M.L., MacVittie, T.J. and Kenler, A., Bistrian, B. and Forse, R.A. Mendes, N.F. (Hospital Arthur Ribeiro de Jackson, W.E. Postirradiation glucan adminis- (Harvard Medical School, Boston, Saboya, Sao Paulo, Brazil). Infection preven- tration enhances the radioprotective effects of Massachusetts). Randomized phase I/II trial tion in patients with severe multiple trauma WR-2721. Radiat. Res. Jan 1989; 117(1):59- of a macrophage-specific immunomodulator with the immunomodulator beta 1-3-polyglu- 69. (PGG-glucan) in high-risk surgical patients. cose (glucan). Surg. Gynecol. Obstet. Oct Ann. Surg. Nov 1994; 220(5):601-9. 1993; 177(4):383-8. Continued on page 83 38 = NEXUS THE VITAMIN C CONNECTION The addition of vitamin C FEBRUARY — MARCH 2001