Treatment of essential hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus with vitamin C

SummaryInappropriate response of the carotid body region to encroachment of its perfusion results in essential hypertension (EH) and/or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). This encroachment is caused by atherosclerosis. The carotid body perceives the encroachment on the lumen as a reduction in the availability of oxygen and glucose for the brain. Raising the perfusion pressure (thus, resulting in EH) and/ or inducing insulin resistance (causing NIDDM) are seen as compensatory mechanisms in response to the primary pathology, ie the encroachment of the lumen by atherosclerosis. Therefore, the reduction or reversal of the atherosclerosis process will help improve perfusion to the carotid bodies, which will in turn reduce or reverse the pathophysiological compensatory adjustments described above.A supplemental therapy, in addition to the standard treatment, with vitamin C is suggested here. The argument in favour of this suggestion is the basis of this paper.Vitamin C is a very important antioxidant. It is suggested to be used without any interference with the usual therapy prescribed for these two chronic diseases. It is recommended to be administered in small, frequent doses of 100 mg every 2 h, except during sleep. There is no need for compensation for the occasional missed dose. The safety of larger doses of vitamin C than the current recommendations, represents the beauty and is reassuring in recommending this approach.