For Holford, “vitamin C has been shown to outperform AZT in lab studies”

When touring South Africa, Holford was most upset at accusations he had “been saying that Vitamin C is more effective in treating AIDS than the anti-retroviral drug AZT. This is not true. I have never made this claim, nor will I because there is no evidence that this is true.” I am not convinced that his denial works. However, putting that aside, I was very surprised to see Holford claiming that “vitamin C has been shown to outperform AZT in lab studies”. In the same article, Holford also outlines the supposed benefits of Vitamin C as a treatment for bird flu in humans; I will try to look at this fascinating claim in more detail at a later date.

Putting the bird flu aside for now – if Holford is not saying that Vitamin C is more effective in treating AIDS than the anti-retroviral drug AZT (he acknowledges that there is no evidence that this is true) then his claim that “vitamin C has been shown to outperform AZT in lab studies” is, at best, potentially misleading. At worst, it is downright dangerous.

At any rate, Holford will be touring South Africa again later in August. Clearly, HIV/AIDS and the availability of suitable medication is causing significant problems in South Africa.  I am sure that Holford will be delighted to clarify his position, and explain his beliefs to the South African journalists who he discussed this issue with earlier in the year.