Klenner’s Paper
This landmark paper by leading vitamin C clinician Dr. Frederick Klenner has been originally published to the web by Dr. Robert F. Cathcart on his site Orthomolecular Medicine – Vitamin C. We link to this site and reference Cathcart’s work here many times and we highly recommend you visit Dr. Cathcart’s site.
Journal of Applied Nutrition Vol. 23, No’s 3 & 4, Winter 1971
Observations On the Dose and Administration of Ascorbic Acid When Employed Beyond the Range Of A Vitamin In Human Pathology
Editor’s Note:
Because of the unusually high amounts of ascorbic acid used in Dr. Klenner’s treatment as reported in his paper, we asked him to verify amounts mentioned. Following is his answer:
“To the Editor of the ICAN Journal: This will confirm that all ‘quantity’ factors given in my paper are correct and can be confirmed from hospital and medical office records. The notation relative to 150 grams represents the amount used for reversing pathology in a given case and was the amount given over a period of 24 hours. (The I.V. was continuous.) This was given in three bottles of 5D water, decanting only enough from 1000 c.c. to be replaced by the ‘C’ ampules.
“Recently the FDA has published a ‘warning’ that too much soda-ascorbate might be harmful, referring to the sodium ion. In reply to this I can state that for many years I have taken 10 to 20 grams of sodium ascorbate by mouth daily, and my blood sodium remains normal. These levels are checked by an approved laboratory. 20 grams each day and my urine remains at or just above pH 6.”
Fred R. Klenner, M.D.
- Body of paper
- Summary
- Appendix – more case histories
- Bibliography
- Klenner Biography
Body of paper
Ancient History and Homespun Vitamin C Therapies
Folklore of past civilizations report that for every disease afflicting man there is an herb or its equivalent that will effect a cure. In Puerto Rico the story has long been told “that to have the health tree Acerola in one’s back yard would keep colds out of the front door.”[1] The ascorbic acid content of this cherry-like fruit is thirty times that found in oranges. In Pennsylvania, U.S.A., it was, and for many still is, Boneset, scientifically called Eupatorium perfoliatum[2]. Although it is now rarely prescribed by physicians, Boneset was the most commonly used medicinal plant of eastern United States. Most farmsteads had a bundle of dried Boneset in the attic or woodshed from which a most bitter tea would be meted out to the unfortunate victim of a cold or fever. Having lived in that section of the country we qualified many times for this particular drink. The Flu of 1918 stands out very forcefully in that the Klenners survived when scores about us were dying. Although bitter it was curative and most of the time the cure was overnight. Several years ago my curiosity led me to assay this “herbal medicine” and to my surprise and delight I found that we had been taking from ten to thirty grams of natural vitamin C at one time. Even then it was given by body weight. Children one cupful; adults two to three cupfuls. Cups those days held eight ounces. Twentieth century man seemingly forgets that his ancestors made crude. drugs from various plants and roots, and that these decoctions, infusions, juices, powders, pills and ointments served his purpose. Elegant pharmacy has only made the forms and shapes more acceptable.
Early specifications, action and dosages for administrations.
To understand the chemical behavior of ascorbic acid in human pathology, one must go beyond its present academic status either as a factor essential for life or as a substance necessary to prevent scurvy. This knowledge is elementary. Listen to what appeared in Food and Life Yearbook 1939, U.S. Department of Agriculture[3]: “In fact even when there is not a single outward symptom of trouble, a person may be in a state of vitamin C deficiency more dangerous than scurvy itself. When such a condition is not detected, and continues uncorrected, the teeth and bones will be damaged, and what may be even more serious, the blood stream is weakened to the point where it can no longer resist or fight infections not so easily cured as scurvy.” It is true that without these infinitesimal amounts myriads of body processes would deteriorate and even come to a fatal halt.
Ascorbic acid has many important functions. It is a powerful oxidizer and when given in massive amounts; that is, 50 grams to 150 grams, intravenously, for certain pathological conditions, and “run in” as fast as 20 Gauge needle will allow, it acts as a “Flash Oxidizer,”[4] often correcting the pathology within minutes. Ascorbic acid is also a powerful reducing agent. Its neutralizing action on certain toxins, exotoxins, virus infections, endotoxins and histamine is in direct proportion to the amount of the lethal factor involved and the amount of ascorbic acid given. At times it is necessary to use ascorbic acid intramuscularly. It should always be used orally, when possible, along with the needle.
Scurvy historically the target; todays goal of high blood levels to cope with self-induced abuses and physiological traumas.
If one is to employ ascorbic acid intelligently, some index for requirements must be realized. Unfortunately there exists today a sort of “brand” called “minimum daily requirements.” This illegitimate “child” has been co-fathered by the National Academy of Science and The National Research Council and represents a tragic error in judgment. There are many factors which increase the demand by the body for ascorbic acid, and unless these are appreciated, at least by physicians, there can be no real progress. It is vitally important that cognizance be taken of the demand by the body for ascorbic acid far beyond so-called scorbutic levels. Briefly these demands can be summarized:
- The age of the individual;
- Habits — such as smoking, the use of alcohol, playing habits
- Sleep, especially when induced artificially;
- Trauma.– trauma caused by a pathogen, the trauma of work, the trauma of surgery, the trauma to the body produced accidentally or intentionally;
- Kidney threshold;
- Environment;
- Physiological stress;
- Season of the year;
- Inadequate storage.
- Variations in individual absorption;
- Variations in “binders” in commercial tablets;
- Body chemistry;
- Drugs;
- Pesticides;
- Body weight;
- The age of the individual;