This is regards to your statement of using vitamin C. I have studied nutritional supplements for 20+ years. Based on my studies, many find that using Ester-C is gentler on the intestinal tract. Ester-C is esterified by having Vitamin C react with a mineral such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, or zinc. Ester-C moves into the blood cells four times faster than vitamin C. The levels of Vitamin C in white blood cells are four times higher by using Ester-C rather than using standard Vitamin C. If you are doing an ascorbic flush by taking mega doses, titrate the dose until your stool retains a tapioca like consistency. Based on your statement of "I am taking about 4000-5000 mg of vitamin C orally/day", I am certain that you are dividing the doses. During the flu season, I have taken 1000 mg of Ester-C as often as every three hours with 8 ounces of water.
I enjoyed your response to Caitlin Lorraine.