December 10, 1969

Professor F. T. Stare

Department of Nutrition

Harvard University

Cambridge, Mass.

Dear Professor Stare:

I have seen a statement by you that a very careful study was made over two years of 5,000 students of the University of Minnesota, half of whom were given large doses of Vitamin C, half a placebo, and with no difference found in the frequency, severity or duration of their colds.

I have gathered together some references on Vitamin C in relation to the common cold, but for some reason I have not run across this work. I would be grateful to you if you would send me the reference to the literature, so that T could check the details of this study. I have not so far found any study that seems to me to have been carried out in a proper way, and perhaps this one, which you are quoted as referring to as a very careful study, is just what I have been looking for.

Also, I have become interested recently in the question of how the recommended daily intake of vitamins have been decided on. I have been having difficulty in finding any evidence that would support, for example, a daily intake of 50 or 75 milligrams of ascorbic acid, rather than, say, 500 or 759. My lack of success in finding published papers on this matter suggests that there have been no significant studies carried out to determine the optimal intake of ascorbic acid, but I may well have overlooked them. If it would not be too much trouble for you, I would be grateful if you would send me pertinent references.

Also, I would be especially grateful if you would send me reprints of some of your papers on the role of vitamins in nutrition.

Sincerely,

Linus Pauling

LP/mdm Encl: