At a time when EU legislation is set to ban many vitamin and mineral supplements, a few enlightened doctors are willing to educate us about the benefits of taking them.

Dr Tom Levy, a physician for more than 25 years and an expert on vitamin C, has collated research from all over the world in his new book, Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases And Toxins: Curing The Incurable. His book cites more than 1,000 medical and scientific journal articles showing how vitamin C, the most non-toxic nutrient available, is a cure for many potentially fatal health problems.

Most mammals make their own vitamin C in their liver and step up production when stressed or ill. An adult goat, for instance, manufactures around 13,000 mg daily to maintain optimal health. When faced with a life-threatening infection, however, a goat is thought to produce as much as 100,000 mg of vitamin C daily.

Humans are not so lucky they lack the liver enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase (GLO) which transforms glucose into vitamin C.

Dr Levy believes this genetic defect is the main reason why humans are much more prone to infections and disease than many wild animals. We are entirely dependent on vitamin C from our diet. Relatively small amounts are required to prevent scurvy, a fatal disease when left untreated, but much larger amounts are needed for optimal health.

"The chronic underdosing of vitamin C from minimal or no supplementation and from eating depleted food will facilitate the development of nearly all the chronic degenerative diseases that affect man," says Dr Levy.

Although backed up by impeccable science, most doctors don't realise the ability of vitamin C to cure infectious diseases especially when given intravenously and Dr Levy says they too often needlessly recommend toxic drugs and vaccinations instead.

He explains that chronic vitamin C depletion is one of the main reasons many common ailments are contracted in the first place and that healthy people should take up to 100 times the 60mg recommended daily amount. The dose should be increased depending on factors such as stress and illness. He recommends Crystal C, a sodium ascorbate based vitamin C in powder form. It is ph neutral and won't cause the stomach irritation often associated with ascorbic acid preparations.

Dr Levy explains that in order to work effectively, vitamin C needs to be given in the right form, in frequent enough doses and for a long enough period of time. Before megadosing with vitamin C, however, always consult a nutritional therapist as it may cause loose stools. Vitamin C also has the ability to dissolve calcium very easily and may contribute to kidney stones if individuals are taking calcium supplements or multiple prescription medications. Smaller doses of vitamin C should be taken initially and built up very slowly with plenty of filtered or purified water.

For more information on Crystal C, please visit www.crystalc.co.uk or call 0870 7558881.