Robert Cathcart III, MD

1932 - 2007
http://orthomolecular.org/hof/2008/cathcart.html
Hall of Fame 2008

"I have never seen a serious reaction to vitamin supplements. Since 1969 I have
taken over 2 tons of ascorbic acid myself. I have put over 20,000 patients on bowel
tolerance doses of ascorbic acid without any serious problems, and with great
benefit."
-Robert F. Cathcart, M.D.
Independent Vitamin Safety Review Panel Statement

Robert Cathcart's observations on clinical use of ascorbic acid drew worldwide

renown, along with the respect of Linus Pauling. A native of Texas, Bob came to
Northern California as a child and spent most of his life in the Bay Area. He earned
his medical degree from the University of California in San Francisco in 1961, then
completed his internship and residency at Stanford Hospital. Bob was an instructor in
orthopedic surgery at Stanford after his residency. The "Cathcart Prosthesis" has been
implanted in over 100,000 hips.

Bob became interested in vitamin C when he read Linus Pauling's Vitamin C and the
Common Cold, and he began using it for his own allergies and his patients' viral
infections. He thought about a common side effect of high-dose ascorbate, namely
diarrhea, in a new way. He observed that a person's tolerance for the vitamin
increased considerably in the presence of viral illness, seemingly in proportion to the
severity of the illness. A person who ordinarily develops diarrhea from, say, a 12-
gram dose of ascorbate, might be able to tolerate upwards of 100 grams when ill with
a cold or flu. Bob found that titration of vitamin C dosage to bowel tolerance
permitted quicker resolution of an illness.

Bob treated tens of thousands of patients with vitamin C megadoses. He was a

popular lecturer at medical meetings, where he freely shared his findings with his
colleagues. However, he was not well published. Like Linus Pauling himself,
Cathcart encountered rejection and even scorn at the hands of scientific and medical
journal editors. JOM is proud to be one of the few platforms to have brought Bob's
work to the attention of the world's healing professions.

Bob Cathcart received the Linus Pauling Award from the Society for Orthomolecular
Health Medicine in 2002. He leaves a reminder for all who would do science:
progress and success rest more on dispassionate observation and creative thinking
than on all the gee-whiz technology mankind has ever come up with.

From Richard Huemer's article, "In Memoriam: Robert Fulton Cathcart III, M.D."
JOM, 2007, 22:
Robert F. Cathcart, M.D.  Key Articles, 1975-2005

http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_cathcart.html
Orthopedic surgeon Robert F. Cathcart III is the inventor of the Cathcart Elliptical
Orthocentric Endoprosthesis, a replacement hip-ball joint still in widespread use
today. Some physicians report it to be superior to other similar devices.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2661497

Dr. Cathcart has successfully treated over 20,000 patients with very large doses
of vitamin C, sometimes administering over 150,000 mg per day. A short biography
of Dr. Cathcart is posted at http://orthomolecular.org/hof/2008/cathcart.html .

 This bibliography was edited by Andrew Saul with the assistance of Susmita
Ganguly.

"Clinical Trial of Vitamin C", Letter to editor, Medical Tribune, June 25, 1975.

"The method of determining proper doses of vitamin C for treatment of diseases by

titrating to bowel tolerance." Australian Nurses Journal 9(4):9-13 March, 1980. Also
in: Journal of Orthomolecular Psychiatry 10:125-132, 1981.
http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1981/pdf/1981-v10n02-p125.pdf

"Vitamin C, Titration to Bowel Tolerance, Anascorbemia, and Acute Induced

Scurvy."  Medical Hypothesis 7:1359-1376, 1981. Also in Let's Live (Japan) 16:9,
Nov 1983. http://www.doctoryourself.com/titration.html

"Vitamin C Function in AIDS", Medical Tribune, July 13, 1983 . Link to article

"Vitamin C Treatment Protocol for AIDS" Bay Area Reporter, Part 1: XIV(1):14-15,
Jan 5, 1984. Part 2: XIV(10)6, Mar 8 1984. (No known electronic link)

"Vitamin C in the treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

(AIDS)" Medical Hypothesis 14(4):423-433 Aug 1984. Link to article

"Vitamin C, the nontoxic, nonrate-limited antioxidant free radical scavenger."

Medical Hypothesis 18:61-77. 1985 . Link to article

"The vitamin C treatment of allergy and the normally unprimed state of

antibodies." Medical Hypothesis, 21(3):307-321 Nov 1986. Link to article

"A controversial protocol: Ascorbate challenges PCP."  The San Francisco Sentinel,
Sept 12, 1986, page 9. (No Known electronic link)

"A Unique Function for Ascorbate." Medical Hypothesis 35:32-37 May 1991. Link to
article
"The third face of vitamin C" J Orthomolecular Med, Vol 7, Number 4, p 197-200,
1992. http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1992/pdf/1992-v07n04-p197.pdf or
http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1992/toc4.shtml
Hickey DS, Roberts HJ, Cathcart RF. Dynamic flow: A new model for ascorbate. J
Orthomolecular Med, Vol 20, Number 4, p 237-244, 2005.
http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/2005/pdf/2005-v20n04-p237.pdf

 Dr. Cathcart is mentioned in a number of magazines, including:

Pauling L. "Robert Fulton Cathcart, III, M.D., An orthomolecular physician." The

Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine Newsletter, 1(4):1-3 Fall 1978.

Dr. Free, P. Sanders "The Use of Ascorbic Acid and Mineral Supplements in the
Detoxification of Narcotic Addicts." Journal of Orthomolecular Psychiatry Vol 7, No.
4 264-270. (No known electronic link)

Dr. Libby, Dr. Stone. The H-K Approach to Drug Addiction Therapy. Journal of
Orthomolecular Psychiatry Vol 6, No. 4 p 300—308. (No known electronic link)

Null G. "AIDS Scandal, new facts about prevention and treatment." Penthouse,
December 1985. (No known electronic link)

Lorch P. "The Ascorbate Doctor." Bay Area Reporter XIV(10):6 March 8, 1984. (No
known electronic link)

Coupland K. "The Vitamin C Resistance." Sentinel USA,  Part 1: January 17 1985,

and part 2: January 31, 1985. (No known electronic link)

Lamble D.  "Vitamin C. Debate continues." Sentinel USA, 3//28/85. (No known
electronic link) 

Content Copyright (C) 1995 and prior years, Robert F. Cathcart. M.D. Reprinted with
permission. Updated 2019 by Andrew W. Sau

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome AKA ME/CFIDS, SEID

https://omarchives.org/dr-robert-cathcart-md-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/

Over 800,000 to perhaps 2.5 million Americans have some form of chronic fatigue
disease, aka myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, now with the new
name of Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease, or SEID. Symproms include
profound fatigue, cognitive dysfunction (often transient “brain fog”), non-refreshing
sleep, pain, and other symptoms made worse by activities most of us perform with
minor effort. It is a life changing disease which dramatically shrinks most victim’s
world. The late Dr. Catchart has been successful in treating many cases of this
disease.

STATEMENT ON CFIDS

Robert F. Cathcart, M. D.

In retrospect, I saw the first patients with CFIDS in Incline Village about 1978. The
epidemic officially started sometime in 1983 in Incline Village. I left Incline Village
January 1, 1980 but continued to treat patients for chronic fatigue. My treatment was
mainly with massive doses of Vitamin C but it also included many other nutrients.
The rationale has been that CFIDS is a free radical disease involving damaged
mitochondria.

My suspicion that chronic fatigue was a free radical disease involving mitochondria
was because of the beneficial effect of massive doses of vitamin C. I was using the
massive doses of vitamin C not for the vitamin C but for the electrons carried by the
vitamin C. Ordinarily, when a vitamin C molecule gives up its two extra electrons to
scavenge two free radicals, the Vitamin C is refueled with two more electrons from
the mitochondria.

When the mitochondria are damaged and cannot provide the electrons then the
spent Vitamin C is rapidly irreversibly lost.

By giving massive doses of C, this loss is prevented, and the continuing supply of
fresh vitamin C substitutes for the inability of the mitochondria to provide the
electrons to refuel the spent Vitamin C (dehydroascorbate.)

Not incidentally, a major function of the mitochondria is to provide electrons in the

form of ATP to the muscles. Without sufficient ATP to fuel the muscles, fatigue
results.

The mitochondria are damaged by either viruses, bacteria (sometimes cell wall
deficient bacteria, L-forms), yeast toxins, sensitivity to chemicals (including some
drugs), allergic reactions, etc. Probably, it usually involves two or more of the above.

The damaged mitochondria become the major source of free radicals.

A free radical cascade results. Fee radicals from a damaged mitochondria damage
adjacent mitochondria and cause them to produce more free radicals. A domino effect
results.
Because all this up-regulates the immune system, various autoimmune
phenomena frequently result which may include aching in muscles, trigger points,
etc. (fibromyalgia).
The oral doses of ascorbic acid necessary to substitute for the inability of the
mitochondria to supply electrons to refuel the free radical scavengers are at least
bowel tolerance doses (see my other papers here.) Many patients have found that
intravenous ascorbate is effective and necessary from time to time.
The main problem has been with insurance not paying for intravenous ascorbate.
While there is some expense involved with intravenous ascorbate it has been more
effective than that drug costing $15,000
to $19,000 a year. $15,000 of intravenous ascorbate would probably have a chronic
fatigue patient dancing a jig.

Ascorbate is not usually a cure for CFIDS but in patients who tolerate massive doses
orally (almost everyone tolerates IV ascorbate), it ameliorates the disease better than
other treatments. This more effective amelioration is because replacing the
mitochondria function of providing the electrons for free radical scavenging gets
more at the basic pathological processes in the disease and it helps protect the
mitochondria so they can try to repair themselves. The disinterest in the use of
ascorbate is hard to understand and it has contributed to not discovering basic causes
of the disease. I doubt that short of killing a virus that may be the cause of many
cases that there will be found a more effective method of ameliorating the symptoms
of the disease.

Preparation of Sodium Ascorbate for IV and IM Use

https://omarchives.org/dr-robert-cathcart-md-preparing-vitamin-c-for-iv-use/

(For physicians only)

ALLERGY, ENVIRONMENTAL & ORTHOMOLECULAR MEDICINE

Note: the following are excerpts from letters sent to physicians on

the subject of IVC.

If one does not want to make their sodium ascorbate stock solutions
from scratch like I recommend (and I can well understand why you
might not): You can order from

Merit Pharmaceuticals,
2611 San Fernando,
Los Angeles, CA 90065,
For CA 800-696-3748
Out-of State 800-421-9657
The Stock Bottle of Sodium Ascorbate

Sterilize a 500 cc IV bottle along with a funnel, the rubber stopper,

and a spoon. Then fill the bottle to the 300 cc line with sodium
ascorbate powder (from Bronson Pharmaceutical, 800-610-4848) (I weighed
the sodium ascorbate out one time and 250 gm came up to the 300 cc line.)
Then add 1/3 of the 20 ml bottle (6.6 cc) of edetate disodium injection,
USP 150 mg/ml. Then add water for injection q.s. 500 cc. Shake up the
bottle and if there is 1 mm of crystals left on the bottom, add 1 mm of
water to the top. It turns out that sodium ascorbate is soluble to almost
exactly a 50% concentration at room temperature. I do not worry about the
sterility of this because this is very bacteriocidal. Perhaps it should
be filtered to get out particulate matter but I have never seen this to be
a problem. The pH of this has always turned out to be 7.4. My nurse
discovered recently that if you do not shake the mixture to make it go
into solution until after you refrigerate it and are ready to use it that
the solution is less yellow. I presume that this is good because sodium
ascorbate is clear and dehydroascorbate is yellow. The made up solutions
are always a little yellow but refrigeration before mixing results in a
far less yellow mixture.

Preparation of the IV Bottle

I recommend that the above stock bottle solution be added to

lactated Ringer’s such that 30 Gms (60 cc) to 60 Gms (120 cc) this
be added to a quantity of lactated Ringer’s sufficient to make 500
cc of the final solution to be injected IV. I had been using water
for injection some time ago because this solution is several times
hypertonic already and I did not want to add more tonicity.
However, recently I have found that lactated Ringer’s feels better
to patients so I use that for the final dilution (not the stock
solution described above.)

IM Injections

IM injection material for infants is made from the stock

solution diluted 50% in water giving a 25% solution. Generally,
the size of the injection can be 2 cc in each buttocks. Ice may be
applied if it hurts to much. This may be given every hour or so,
frequently enough to bring the fever or other symptoms of excessive
free radicals down rapidly.

General Comments

I have not had any trouble with these solutions. I hear all
sorts of weird stories from patients who have gotten ascorbate
elsewhere. I do not know if it is an acid problem (because
ascorbic acid was used rather than sodium ascorbate) or whether
some colleges get carried away with what other things they add to
the intravenous solutions.

I think that there may be, at times minor troubles with

commercially prepared solutions because of the following. I
understand that the U. S. Pharmacopeia specifies that the solutions
be made from ascorbic acid and then buffered with sodium hydroxide
or sodium bicarbonate to a pH between 3.5 and 7.0. I worry that 60
grams of ascorbate at a pH of 3.5 is too acid. I know that Klenner
(the first physician who used high dose intravenous ascorbate by
vein) also made his solutions from sodium ascorbate powder.

I watch patients for hypocalcemia (although I have not seen

it), hypoglycemia (I encourage patients to eat while taking the
IV), and dehydration (I encourage water and slow the IV down.) I
also see headaches afterward but not so much since I have been
emphasizing the continuing high doses of oral ascorbic acid as soon
as the IV is over. Actually I give oral ascorbic acid while the IV
is going to get a double effect. Bowel tolerance goes up while the
IV is running but one has to be careful to stop giving oral C about
an hour before the IV stops or else you may get diarrhea as soon as
the IV stops. The oral ascorbic acid is then started again 1/2 to
1 hour after the IVC stops.

IMPORTANT:  Information provided is intended for educational purposes and is not

intended to be medical advice nor offered as a prescription, diagnosis or treatment for
any disease, illness, infirmity or physical condition. Always consult your own
medical provider about your health and medical questions before making any health
related decision. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug
Administration. 

The Cathcart elliptical orthocentric endoprosthesis. A long-term clinical and

radiographic study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2661497/
F Pipino  1 , L Molfetta
PMID: 2661497
Abstract
In 1971 Cathcart proposed the use of an elliptical head for the femoral
endoprosthesis, based on his anatomical studies which had proved that the normal
femoral head is elliptical and not spherical. Important biomechanical studies have
also shown that the periacetabular trajectory system also assumes an elliptical
gothic arch shape during stress loading (Fischer and Olivier, 1979). The authors
therefore decided to use an elliptical head because it improves lubrication and
therefore nourishment of the acetabular cartilage, and because it better distributes
the load. Between 1977 and 1987 121 endoprostheses were implanted, of which
92 were followed up after an average of 5 years. The follow-up showed that good
results may be obtained with this type of prosthetic head, and in particular that
there was almost no acetabular erosion and only a moderate decrease in the joint
space. These results show that the elliptical head is better adapted to the
acetabulum during load as compared to the spherical head, and is therefore better
at safeguarding the osteoarticular structures with which it articulates. The authors
therefore regard it as superior not only to the spherical head, but also to the so-
called bipolar double-hinge prostheses.

Robert F. Cathcart, Titration to bowel tolerance with ascorbic acid; the

implication of the extent of the increased tolerance to ascorbic acid as a
measurement of the importance and magnitude of the involvement of free
radicals in disease processes, Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Volume 15,
Issue 5, November 1993, Page 485, DOI:10.1016/0891-5849(93)90240-U, Corpus
ID: 84473985 -
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/089158499390240U?via
%3Dihub
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238290638_Titration_to_bowel_toleran
ce_with_ascorbic_acid_the_implication_of_the_extent_of_the_increased_toleranc
e_to_ascorbic_acid_as_a_measurement_of_the_importance_and_magnitude_of_t
he_involvement_of_free_ra

'Vitamin C' for mononucleosis,hepatitis,etc| Dr. Robert Cathcart MD|

Stanford-trained Medical Doctor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uib8d-YSfI
Jul 25, 2020
Stillness Speaks
Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD (1917-2009), a founder of Orthomolecular Medicine,
(with Double Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Linus Pauling) was a world-renowned
Canadian doctor and biochemist that treated over five thousands of patients with
mental disorders (including schizophrenia, drug/alcohol addiction, psychosis)
through better nutrition , micronutrients, and megavitamin therapy. Dr. Abram
Hoffer, a pioneer of holistic nutritional/vitamin therapy, died in May 2009 at the
age of 91. For over 50 years, Dr. Abram Hoffer personally took 4,500 mg (4.5
grams) of Niacin (Vitamin B-3) along with other supplements. Dr Abram Hoffer
was a prolific researcher and writer, wrote over 30 books and 600 peer-reviewed
medical journal articles (most of which were ignored by mainstream medicine)
and was productive until 2 weeks prior to his death (age 91). "Mary MacIsaac"
(1893-2006): Oldest Person in Canada , Age 112, Friend of Dr. Abram Hoffer
Oldest human in Canada, Canadian Supercentenarian, Mary MacIsaac (27
December 1893 - 10 March 2006) was a friend of Dr. Abram Hoffer . Ms. Mary
MacIsaac, Canadian's oldest person, age 112, died on March 10, 2006. Mary
MacIsaac was Canada's oldest person and 19th-oldest in the world. But Mary
MacIsaac differed significantly from the others, for Ms. MacIsaac had been taking
niacin for forty years before she died. Ms. Mary MacIsaac had cross-country
skied until 110 and was photographed playing a piano duet with her great-
grandson just before she died. Ms. MacIsaac was weaker, but her mind was clear
when she died after a brief illness. Mary MacIsaac credited the Niacin and
perhaps she was correct, because Niacin (vitamin B-3) does have remarkable anti-
aging and life-extending properties, according to Dr. Abram Hoffer. Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA) and Dr. Abram Hoffer The founder of AA (Alcoholics
Anonymous), "Bill W" (Bill Wilson) was a friend of Dr. Abram Hoffer, and
followed Abram Hoffer's program for many years . "Bill W" (Bill Wilson) took
3000 mg of Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and 3000 mg of Vitamin C , daily. Here is a
SUMMARY of Dr Abram Hoffer's BASIC recommended vitamin therapy for
schizophrenia, paranoia, bipolar disorder, ADD, ADHD, anxiety disorder, panic
attacks, depression, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), psychosis, alcoholism,
addictions, anorexia nervosa, autism spectrum disorder , PTSD, insomnia: BASIC
PROGRAM BY ABRAM HOFFER, MD PhD for mental illness: 1) Vitamin B3
(niacin or niacinamide) 1000 mg three times per day. 2) Multivitamin (without
iron) , once a day 3) Vitamin C, 1000 mg three times per day . 4) B-50 Complex
tablet three times per day. OPTIONAL SUPPLEMENTS, ADD: 1) Vitamin D3
5000 IU per day 2) Vitamin E 400 IU three times per day 3) Zinc 50 mg per day
4) Selenium 200 mcg per day 5) Calcium 1000 mg and Magnesium 500 mg 6)
Salmon Oil (Omega-3 Fish Oil) 1000 mg three times per day 7) NAC (N-Acetyl-
Cysteine) 1000 mg two times per day OTHER SUPPLEMENTS YOU CAN
ADD: - Turmeric (Curcumin) , 1 to 3 times per day - Ginkgo BIloba , 1 to 3 times
per day - Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) , 1 to 3 times per day GRADUAL DOSE:
For Vitamin B3, start with 250 mg Vitamin B-3 (niacin) daily after a meal for 7
days, then gradually increase the dose at seven day intervals, over four to six
weeks, to reach the target dose of 1 gram three times per day. NOTE: Vitamin B3
(in form of Niacin) may cause a "warm pleasurable flushing" sensation in face or
hands, at the beginning of use - this flushing is safe and many people enjoy this
"warm sensation". It might take 3 to 4 weeks to see results. Abram Hoffer's
FOOD RECOMMENDATION: Eat whole foods. No sugar, white flours, junk
foods. Dr. Abram Hoffer advocated no-sugar, no-flour, a low carbohydrate “junk
food-free” or “paleolithic” diet, and later became convinced that certain foods and
artificial food additives (artificial food coloring, artificial food preservative) could
have important adverse cognitive effects in specific psychotic patients. Dr. Linus
Pauling greatly admired Abram Hoffer’s work, to the point of declaring his
support for a 1990 effort to nominate Abram Hoffer for the Nobel Prize in
Medicine.
 Dr. Robert Cathcart, vitamin C pioneer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkkWDDSti_s
Jan 18, 2015

(2006-09) Robert Cathcart - Mega C for Viral & Other Diseases

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKD3BXL8ESA
Jun 2, 2014
Silicon Valley Health Institute
Robert Cathcart - Mega C for viral & other diseases 2006-09-21 September 21,
2016 Visit the Silicon Valley Health Institute (aka Smart Life Forum) at
http://www.svhi.com Silicon Valley Health Institute Smart Life Forum Palo Alto

Cathcart Part 3: The Rationale for High Doses of Ascorbate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbdVs6cx6oY
Sep 12, 2012
vitamincfoundation
This is the final video in a series based on a Robert Catchart, III, MD, lecture on
vitamin C. It should help oncologists and other doctors unfamiliar with the use of
I.V. sodium ascorbate understand the rationale behind its use and offers his
explanation for the profound effects.

Robert Cathcart: Preparation of Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate) for IV Use

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuRTLoQlSks
Feb 2, 2011
lovetap4
Dr. Robert Cathcart, III, MD explains how to prepare sodium ascorbate (non
acidic vitamin C) powder for intravenous infusion. This video is supported by the
following Cathcart paper http://www.orthomed.com/civprep.htm

See also:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0LDvBBL3hwFsPMEzpdcICg/videos