Questions and Answers about CardioVibe

The following information is a general guideline. Always consult with a trusted medical professional having expertise in nutritional and natural approaches to your health.

What are the ingredients in Giff's Own CardioVibe?

One scoop of powder contains 2,000 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C, 1,000 mg of lysine, 200 mg of magnesium, 200 mg of proline, 30 mg of coenzyme Q10, and 20 mg of quercetin. The formula is designed, first and foremost, for cardiovascular health. In addition to providing the nutrients that strengthen arterial walls and prevent plaque build-up, the formula also boosts immune system strength, since vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Other benefits include collagen formation leading to healthier skin, muscle tissues, and joints. Better cardiovascular health also means more oxygenated blood is reaching key organs like the brain.

 

What daily dose of CardioVibe does Gifford-Jones recommend?

Unlike prescription drugs where dosages are often extremely specific, CardioVibe is a 100% natural product. There is flexibility in how much each person may choose to take. Health Canada recommends a daily upper limit for vitamin C of 2,000 mg for healthy adults. But readers of Dr. Gifford-Jones' column will know that he has long advised double that amount -- two scoops per day in divided doses, morning and evening. As he has noted, "Health Canada's miniscule recommended daily dose of only 90 mg of vitamin C will protect against scurvy, but it will do little to help fight against heart disease.” Much higher doses are needed to enable each cell in the heart and vascular system to build strong and rubbery arterial walls that prevent the buildup of plaque. For individuals having had a coronary attack, his recommendation is to take three scoops a day or more to bowel tolerance. Of course, individuals should consult with their doctor to determine the optimal dosage for their specific situation.

 

I want to take two scoops per day, but it upsets my stomach and/or I get diarrhea. What can I do?

Taking CardioVibe with food helps avoid stomach upset. A smaller dose in the morning and a larger dose in the evening helps maintain the digestive system's routine. When increasing the dose, do so gradually. If encountering diarrhea, reduce the dose to bowel tolerance.

 

Can I take CardioVibe in combination with statins or cholesterol-lowering drugs (CLDs)?

CardioVibe has been formulated to address heart disease -- and to prevent it too. It is a natural alternative to statins, the group of drugs that act to reduce levels of fats, including triglycerides and cholesterol, in the blood. Statins have a wide range of potentially negative side effects. Vitamin C, lysine and the additional ingredients in CardioVibe are 100% natural and harmless.

 

As Gifford-Jones has written, "I know of no reason why you cannot take CardioVibe along with cholesterol lowering drugs. After all, you are getting vitamin C and lysine in your food daily without any problems. So, adding more vitamin C and lysine should not be a problem. But it is always advisable to discuss this and other medical matters with your own doctor."

 

There are good reasons why you should always let your doctor know what drugs and natural supplements you are taking. For example, there are some heart medications, such as blood thinners, that can interact with high doses of vitamin C, potentially causing the blood to thin too much. For another example, those who have iron overload (hemochromatosis) should not take CardioVibe as it aids in the absorptions of iron. People with this condition do not need more iron.

But also know, many medical doctors are not trained regarding complementary and alternative medicine.  For this expertise, you need to see a naturopathic doctor.

Can I mix the powder with water in the morning to drink over the course of one day?

No, you should consume CardioVibe as soon as you mix it. Also, don't mix it with hot water, as vitamin loses potency at hot temperatures. CardioVibe tastes great with cold water, but you can also use orange juice, or put it in a smoothie (so long as you drink it down quickly).

Should I take CardioVibe with food?

It does not matter. It's up to your preference.

How many scoops are in one container?

A container has 100 scoops of powder, enough for 50 days if taking 2 scoops a day or 100 days if taking 1 scoop.

 

How best do a store CardioVibe to keep the powder fresh?

Vitamin C interacts with oxygen, so you need to avoid exposing the open container to dampness, any water, or long exposure to air. Keep the lid on tight and never use a wet scooper. If you let time go by without using the formula, it will start to clump and the powder will start to change colour. If you use it daily, keep the powder dry, and avoid storing it in locations where the air temperature is excessively hot, it will remain fresh for the duration of use.

I have high blood pressure, but why hasn't my doctor offered me this natural alternative to statins and cholesterol-lowing drugs?

The main reason is that pharmaceutical companies have spent hundreds of millions of dollars convincing doctors that cholesterol-lowering drugs are the be-all-and-end-all to preventing heart attack.  There is little chance your doctor has spent any time looking into the research showing the effectiveness of high-dose vitamin C and lysine for cardiovascular health. History shows that great medical discoveries are rarely accepted by the medical profession when other theories have become normalized.

How will I know CardioVibe is working?

After six months or more of consistent use, you will need to have a look inside your arteries -- currently something that is very hard to do without invasive surgery. A highly skilled eye doctor examining your arteries as visible in the eyes can detect changes.  But few are trained to do so. But there is no harm in asking your eye doctor to take retinal photos as a baseline and then to repeat the scans after a year or several years.  This requires specialized equipment and the right kind of scan. Make sure your doctor provides you with a digital copy of your scans that you can keep for comparison with future scans. 

But the fact is, it's hard to see the condition of the heart muscle and 100,000 km of arteries. The best advice is to do your research. Learn about the way the body uses vitamin C and lysine. (Start by reading the columns listed below.) Then have confidence that you are giving your system the fuel it needs to keep coronary and other arteries open and rubbery, doing what you can to combine a healthy lifestyle with the nutrients that prevent hardening of the arteries.

How long must I take CardioVibe?

You should take it for life. The human body does not make its own vitamin C and lysine, so you need daily supplementation at high doses to achieve the desired protection. Taking CardioVibe for only a short time is not helpful for cardiovascular health. 

Is CardioVibe gong to cause stomach upset?

If your stomach hurts, it's always prudent to see your doctor. Vitamin C is a very weak acid, about the same strength as lemonade.  Putting it another way, the stomach's gastric acid is naturally about 50 times stronger than vitamin C.  So CardioVibe is not likely to be the cause of stomach upset.

Can I take too much CardioVibe?

Vitamin C in high doses can cause diarrhea. If this happens, decrease the dose of CardioVibe to bowel tolerance. But keep in mind, there is no toxic lever of vitamin C or lysine. Both are water-soluble, meaning any amount of them not absorbed by the body will be gradually lost in the urine. Critics argue that people taking high doses of C have expensive urine.  But remember, CardioVibe is cheap by comparison to prescription drugs and a bargain compared to serious health problems. By taking CardioVibe, you have the cheapest life insurance policy in the world.

Who should take CardioVibe and at what age to start?

Prevention has always been better than cure. It's logical that the sooner one begins CardioVibe, the less chance of a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular complications later in life. Start the routine young and continue for life.

Are there any contraindications to taking CardioVibe?

People who have hemochromatosis, often called iron overload, should not take any type of vitamin C.  In these individuals, excessive amounts of vitamin C will increase the absorption of iron, which infiltrates may organs of the body and is a serious problem and sometime fatal. A blood test to determine the level of ferritin can determine if iron overload is present.

 

It is prudent to discuss CardioVibe with your doctor if you suffer from chronic kidney disease. 

 

Large doses of vitamin C can undermine the effectiveness of some anti-coagulant drugs, most particularly Wafarin (coumadin). Anyone taking an anticoagulant should consult a pharmacist or physician before starting, stopping or changing a supplement.

 

Does high-dose vitamin C cause kidney stones?

It's a common misconception that vitamin C causes renal stones.  In fact, the very opposite is true.  Taking vitamin C makes the urine slightly acidic, which helps decrease the risk of kidney stones.  Why?  Because the most common type of kidney stones, calcium phosphate stones, dissolve in this type of urine. So do magnesium ammonium stones.  Calcium oxalate stones are common and can form in an acrid urine whether or not vitamin C is taken. Read more here and here and here.

 

Can I take CardioVibe if I have diabetes?

People with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes are among those who will greatly benefit because they are at elevated risk of dying from heart arrack due to atherosclerosis that gradually blocks off coronary and other arteries. High-dose vitamin C and lysine, along with the other ingredients in CardioVibe, should reduce the risk of amputations.  It should reduce the risk of blockages in the ophthalmic artery in the eye that results in loss of vision. But remember, you can't expect to lower the risk overnight.  This is a "forever formula".

 

Does CardioVibe help with constipation?

Increasing the dose of CardioVibe works as a natural and safe laxative. Take two scoops at bedtime and another in the morning before breakfast. Have your usual breakfast along with a hot drink. This will usually result in a bowel movement in a short time.  If it does not produce results, gradually increase the dosage. Soon enough, a dose will be reached where you had better be close to a toilet!  However, if you are dealing with chronic constipation, or if higher doses of CardioVibe do not help, be sure to see your doctor to rule out bowel disease. If constipation occurs with other symptoms such as vomiting and abdominal pain, this could be the result of intestinal obstruction and the need to go immediately to the hospital emergency room.

 

Can children take CardioVibe?

Children should focus on learning to lead the lifestyle that will serve them well throughout their life.  But if obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, or other unhealthy conditions persist, then it's not too early to begin a process of healthy change.  Learning about the benefits of the combination of high-dose vitamin C and lysine should be the first step toward motivating change.  High-dose C and lysine for otherwise healthy children aged 15 will offer the same benefits -- cardiovascular health and immune support, two of the most important systems for long-term, healthy living.

 

What other benefits can I expect from CardioVibe?

Dr. Gifford-Jones has written extensively on this topic and the following articles are samples of what is available on his website at www.docgiff.com.

 

The Forever Formula for Good Health and Longevity

Readers often ask me what it takes to reach 100. My answer is always the same. Good genes. Good luck. And a lifetime of good choices about my health. “What about your daily regimen of high dose vitamin C, lysine, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, quercetin, and proline?” That’s right, I say. It’s my forever formula for health and longevity.

Read more: https://docgiff.com/article/the-forever-formula-for-good-health-and-longevity/

Cardiovascular Health 101

Heart attacks are common and deadly. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control acknowledges that one person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease. The Government of Canada reports about 14 adults aged 20 and over with diagnosed heart disease die every hour. But how many of these deaths are premature and preventable, and why don’t people take simple steps to save their lives?

Read more: https://docgiff.com/article/cardiovascular-health-101/

Why C is the Forever Vitamin

There’s an irony about the advertising woman who, in 1948, penned “A Diamond is Forever” to signify the enduring love of two people. Her name was Frances Gerety and she spent the bulk of her life alone. Diamonds do sparkle, but there’s a better “forever” companion.

Read more: https://docgiff.com/article/why-c-is-the-forever-vitamin/

 

A Lesson in the Body’s Building Blocks

Not everyone needs to have the knowledge of today’s biochemist. What’s important to know is that there have been extraordinary advances in what scientists now understand about the way the human body works. Their discoveries show it’s the little things that matter.

Read more: https://docgiff.com/article/a-lesson-in-the-bodys-building-blocks/

High-Dose Vitamin C and Lysine

It’s an uncommon gift to reach 100 years of age – and be healthy. But apart from good genes and good luck, there are steps you can take to increase your chances for healthy longevity.

Read more: https://docgiff.com/article/high-dose-vitamin-c-and-lysine/

 

Quercetin Is Part of a Winning Formula for Health

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a physician, wrote, “It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.” If he’d had his fictional detective Sherlock Holmes investigate the mysteries of nature, he’d have found quercetin – an element of many plant-based foods that is often overlooked.

Read more: https://docgiff.com/article/quercetin-is-part-of-a-winning-formula-for-health/

Cellular Energy is Part of the Formula for Health

Some people just have more energy than others. You can pick them out of a crowd. They are running up the stairs, two at a time. Their toes are constantly tapping. They are ready for more fun and games when everyone else is exhausted. But is this outward show of energy a marker of good health?

Read more: https://docgiff.com/article/cellular-energy-is-part-of-the-formula-for-health/

It’s Mindboggling That Scurvy Is Back

Scurvy is a terrible disease that has been eradicated, right? The disease is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), found in oranges and other fruits and vegetables. But that simple fact was unknown between 1500 and 1747 when it’s estimated two million European sailors died while exploring the oceans. Shockingly, in 2024, scurvy is back in the news. How could this be?

Read more: https://docgiff.com/article/its-mindboggling-that-scurvy-is-back/

Statins, Side Effects, and the Silence About Choice

There’s a common organizational saying: structure drives behaviour.  In institutional theory, it’s called path dependence. Once a structure or pattern is established, it becomes self-reinforcing. This is a problem in medicine. Researchers and specialists become deeply immersed in their own areas of expertise. They network within tight knowledge clusters. They protect their territory. And when they train recruits, they filter out possible solutions to problems before deliberation even begins.

This is the story – or an important part of a complex story – of the commitment by so many experts to statins in the treatment of heart disease.

Read more: https://docgiff.com/article/statins-side-effects-and-the-silence-about-choice/