Vitamin C Article Differences

The abundance of pseudo-scientific literature on the Internet often obscures the kernels of truth about nutritional supplements. For example, research does substantiate the role and importance of vitamin C in promoting optimal immune system health. For this exercise, I presented the question, “Does Vitamin C actually boost my immune system? If so, how or why?” The reason why I chose this question is because I have been taking Vitamin C, and do not know if it is worth the investment in the supplements. I want to know if vitamin C’s role in boosting the immune system is scientifically valid or a spurious claim made by those interested in selling me their brand of supplements.
Wintergerst, Maggini & Hornig (2006) present the results of a review of literature on Vitamin C, published in a peer-reviewed journal. The Wintergerst, Maggini & Hornig (2006) study is not an experimental research but it is a review of literature detailing the physiological effects and functions of vitamin C, such as its impact on cellular growth, cellular differentiation, and anti-oxidation. Vitamin C serves as an “electron donor” and other immune functions (Wintergerst, Maggini & Hornig, 2006, p. 87). Likewise, vitamin C is integral for the endothelial and leukocyte functions (Wintergerst, Maggini & Hornig, 2006, p. 87). The authors conclude that adequate intake of vitamin C is necessary for maintaining health.
Although not an experimental study, the Wintergerst, Maggini & Hornig (2006) research is credible because it is peer-reviewed and subtantiated by abundant references to the scientific literature including experimental studies and meta-analyses. On the other hand, an online store selling vitamin supplements called Well Wisdom also offers testimonials about the efficacy of Vitamin C on boosting immune system health. The article in the Well Wisdom store actually admits that vitamin C does not prevent colds, but that it “will definitely help to heal your cold when it sets in,” a statement that is not supported by any references to the scientific literature. Instead, the authors provide a hyperlink to other articles on the website, which has a commercial purpose. The authors also write about how Vitamin C improves skin health, prevents cardiovascular disease, and even fights cancer—a strong and misleading claim.
Both the Wintergerst, Maggini & Hornig (2006) and the Well Wisdom articles could potentially be biased, given that the authors of peer-reviewed article do disclose their funding from the Bayer Corporation’s consumer care division. The authors’ connections to Bayer does diminish the credibility of the article somewhat, as well as its being a review of literature and not a meta-analysis or an experimental study. However, being published in a peer-reviewed journal and substantiating all claims through extensive referencing to primary sources enhance the credibility of the Wintergerst, Maggini & Hornig (2006) article. The Well Wisdom article has little credibility because it is published on the author’s own commercial website and has links to how to purchase Vitamin C.
In between these two articles is the Robertson (2015) piece published in the online Life Extension magazine. Entitled “The Link Between Vitamin C and Optimal Immunity,” the Robertson (2015) article is stronger than the Well Wisdom one because the author backs up statements with references to peer-reviewed and experimental research. Because the Wintergerst, Maggini & Hornig (2006) contains scientific jargon and is written in ways most of the general public could not understand, it is important to have mainstream media translations of primary source data like the Robertson (2015) report. The Robertson (2015) article also has no apparent affiliation to any commercial enterprise, making it seem even less biased than the Wintergerst, Maggini & Hornig (2006). Yet not being published in a peer-reviewed journal means that no one has actually verified the information it contains, or the references the authors use to back up claims.






References

Robertson, C. (2015). The link between vitamin C and optimal immunity. Life Extension. Retrieved online: http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2015/11/the-link-between-vitamin-c-and-optimal-immunity/page-01
Wintergerst, E.S., Maggini, S. & Hornig, D.H. (2006). Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc effect on clinical conditions. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 50(2): 85-94.
“Vitamin C and Immune System: Does it Help?” Well Wisdom. Retrieved online: http://www.wellwisdom.com/vitamin-c-and-immune-system/