Do Vitamins Exist?

Source: https://unbekoming.substack.com/p/do-vitamins-exist

= = =

The Chemist’s Admission

Dr. Tom Cowan wanted to answer a simple question: How do we know vitamins exist in living beings?

In a January 2026 webinar, Cowan described going to the original papers on vitamin isolation. The methodology follows a consistent pattern: researchers take a sample (animal fat, cod liver oil, blood), add chemicals to it, wash it repeatedly with solvents like acetone, heat it, process it further, and eventually produce a “relatively pure chemical.” They then analyze this end product and declare they have isolated the vitamin.

Cowan asked a question that should be obvious: How do you know that adding acids, bases, and washing with acetone six times didn’t create something that wasn’t in the original sample?

He posed this question to multiple analytical chemists. Every one of them gave the same answer: I have no idea.

...

The position that the article develops in great detail is NOT that synthetic vitamins don’t work. Some clearly do, for some people, some of the time. The position is that we cannot conclude from their working that vitamins exist in nature as the discrete chemical entities we’ve been taught they are.

...

This is not a claim that chemistry is useless or that scientists are frauds. It’s an observation about the limits of a methodology. When every detection method involves processing that may create what it detects, the results cannot be taken as proof of prior existence.

The practical implication is not to abandon everything that works. If high-dose ascorbic acid reverses a toxic state, use it. If someone recovers from illness with intravenous vitamin C, the recovery is real regardless of what we call the compound or whether it exists in oranges.

The implication is to stop assuming we understand more than we do.

You can read the full essay here > https://unbekoming.substack.com/p/do-vitamins-exist

4 hours ago, Red Phoenix said:

Do Vitamins Exist?

Source: https://unbekoming.substack.com/p/do-vitamins-exist

= = =

The Chemist’s Admission

Dr. Tom Cowan wanted to answer a simple question: How do we know vitamins exist in living beings?

In a January 2026 webinar, Cowan described going to the original papers on vitamin isolation. The methodology follows a consistent pattern: researchers take a sample (animal fat, cod liver oil, blood), add chemicals to it, wash it repeatedly with solvents like acetone, heat it, process it further, and eventually produce a “relatively pure chemical.” They then analyze this end product and declare they have isolated the vitamin.

Cowan asked a question that should be obvious: How do you know that adding acids, bases, and washing with acetone six times didn’t create something that wasn’t in the original sample?

He posed this question to multiple analytical chemists. Every one of them gave the same answer: I have no idea.

...

The position that the article develops in great detail is NOT that synthetic vitamins don’t work. Some clearly do, for some people, some of the time. The position is that we cannot conclude from their working that vitamins exist in nature as the discrete chemical entities we’ve been taught they are.

...

This is not a claim that chemistry is useless or that scientists are frauds. It’s an observation about the limits of a methodology. When every detection method involves processing that may create what it detects, the results cannot be taken as proof of prior existence.

The practical implication is not to abandon everything that works. If high-dose ascorbic acid reverses a toxic state, use it. If someone recovers from illness with intravenous vitamin C, the recovery is real regardless of what we call the compound or whether it exists in oranges.

The implication is to stop assuming we understand more than we do.

You can read the full essay here > https://unbekoming.substack.com/p/do-vitamins-exist

Great, and important topic, at the start of the new year. And what a topic it is. It cuts right into 'how do we know?'.

Unbekoming puts it succinctly. Must put the question of vitamins alongside viruses, and DNA. Both are regularly discussed here on AN. Alongside! Yes! Because there is so much 'assumed' knowledge on these individual topics.

I can't improve on the essay on the Lies are Unbekoming site. But the role of bio-electricity is worth more than a passing thought. It brings into the frame; 'why do we breathe?' IMO, there are 3 main reasons. To bring oxygen, and other gasses, into the lungs. and through inspiration send the wanted elements into the blood. Expiration is the other side of the process, where carbon dioxide, and other stuff - much of what is not wanted - is exhaled; along with the unused inhaled gasses. The third, is for the body to replenish, or add, bio-electricity to the blood, and therefore into the body organs and tissues.

Is this is where vitamins come into play? Aiding distribution of bio-electricity throughout the body. Why is this important? IMO, bio-electricity, is crucial in blood flow to the body extremes. Also the interaction between cells themselves. Another topic that's for sure.

Dr Tom Cowan('s) - the mentioned doctor/author/podcaster referenced in the OP link - whole podcast is well worth a listen. The vitamin part starts at 32-20.

https://odysee.com/@Freedom_Now!:f/What-questions-are-you-thinking-about-as-we-start-the-new-year--Webinar-from-January-7th,-2026:f

On 1/12/2026 at 7:30 AM, Red Phoenix said:

The practical implication is not to abandon everything that works. If high-dose ascorbic acid reverses a toxic state, use it. If someone recovers from illness with intravenous vitamin C, the recovery is real regardless of what we call the compound or whether it exists in oranges.

The implication is to stop assuming we understand more than we do.

everything i post regarding "health practices" comes from a very reliable "study group" . Me !

over the last 3 years i have turned a very difficult prostate situation ( bph) where i had urgency symptoms and lack of sleep..... into now an almost normal situation. Protocol : slight changed of diet and going 2 meals a day , plus some supplements, plus some Chinese herbs (3) that i researched myself and go to local shop to buy, and make tea a few times a week.

Muscle weakness : more protein, less carbs, no sugar (but a little honey) , and : magnesium (2 types), boron, vit d and k2, vit c , selenium ..and sometimes others , Also bovine collagen ....

Constipation : magnesium first thing, then blackstrap molasses tea with breakfast along with the vitamins. Finally some prunes . VOILA ! . All these years without real eliminating the poisons daily.

I also take iodine (helps detox) and use dmso .... and something as simple as taking a little pink sea salt with water almost instantly stops the soreness and tightness when fatigued from exercise .

Many more personal anecdotes i have.... but i probably should stop for now ,,,,,, lol

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004012.htm#:~:text=Some%20changes%20that%20occur%20with%20aging%20include:,Changes%20in%20breasts%20*%20Changes

"Nature gave us a brain..... using it to figure things out is often what is lacking"

The thread participants here seem to be playing 'pin the tail on the donkey'. Fun to watch, innit?

It seems nobody on this thread yet knows anything about:

NMR - nuclear magnetic resonance

MS - mass spectrometry

X-ray crystallography

On my way to Chem. Eng. I got to try all these in the lab. I never got to use them in my career because I came under the spell of computers while playing silly games on TTY's.

Thomas Samuel Cowan is an American practitioner of alternative medicine, author, conspiracy theorist and former medical doctor. He relinquished his medical license in 2020. Thank goodness.

5 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Thomas Samuel Cowan is an American practitioner of alternative medicine, author, conspiracy theorist and former medical doctor. He relinquished his medical license in 2020. Thank goodness.

That only proves to the nutters that he's really one of them!

On 2/22/2026 at 9:42 AM, rumak said:

everything i post regarding "health practices" comes from a very reliable "study group" . Me !

over the last 3 years i have turned a very difficult prostate situation ( bph) where i had urgency symptoms and lack of sleep..... into now an almost normal situation. Protocol : slight changed of diet and going 2 meals a day , plus some supplements, plus some Chinese herbs (3) that i researched myself and go to local shop to buy, and make tea a few times a week.

Muscle weakness : more protein, less carbs, no sugar (but a little honey) , and : magnesium (2 types), boron, vit d and k2, vit c , selenium ..and sometimes others , Also bovine collagen ....

Constipation : magnesium first thing, then blackstrap molasses tea with breakfast along with the vitamins. Finally some prunes . VOILA ! . All these years without real eliminating the poisons daily.

I also take iodine (helps detox) and use dmso .... and something as simple as taking a little pink sea salt with water almost instantly stops the soreness and tightness when fatigued from exercise .

Many more personal anecdotes i have.... but i probably should stop for now ,,,,,, lol

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004012.htm#:~:text=Some%20changes%20that%20occur%20with%20aging%20include:,Changes%20in%20breasts%20*%20Changes

"Nature gave us a brain..... using it to figure things out is often what is lacking"

Also succeeded in doing the same, most diet change, and a couple supplements. Use to be a few times after sleep, and urgency during the day. Now heavy streams and sleep 6-8 hrs undisturbed.

Pretty sure my prostate has shrunk back near almost normal. Mostly diet, cut carbs quite a bit, except when O&A. Pretty sure the Magnesium supplement is a big part of getting full night's sleep.

40 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Pretty sure my prostate has shrunk back near almost normal. Mostly diet, cut carbs quite a bit, except when O&A. Pretty sure the Magnesium supplement is a big part of getting full night's sleep.

Magnesium glycinate the one usually recommended for nightime relaxing. Only way to know about "shrinkage" is to get it measured. I had an ultrasound over a year ago so know the size at that time. Haven't felt like getting it tested again yet ....maybe some day. I have also come to the conclusion that much of the urgency is a bladder issue. They can be irritated by a number of things (coffee/caffeine is a biggie) ...but i remember you saying you enjoy your morning coffee (did you ease up on that? or maybe it doesn't affect you )

I can now have a little now and then... amazed that i made it that far as it used to create big urgency issues. I take SP and also lycopene ... lycopene being one supplement that can supposedly shrink the prostate. Also take a little zinc . The steady use of those has worked wonders.... though which one is foremost in helping i can't know for sure.

to sum it all up ..... i am sure the TWO urologists i saw would laugh away at my experience. They suggested the usual DRUGS which have weird side effects.... and even said surgery is "probably in the cards " at a later date.

stay well..... and keep the flow going strong !

13 minutes ago, rumak said:

to sum it all up ..... i am sure the TWO urologists i saw would laugh away at my experience. They suggested the usual DRUGS which have weird side effects....

Because they are more akin to sales reps than to actual doctors… Such is the sad truth of 21st century medicine.

13 minutes ago, rattlesnake said:

Because they are more akin to sales reps than to actual doctors… Such is the sad truth of 21st century medicine.

i guess if i come back again (in human form ) i might just dedicate my studies to the workings of the human organism : ai ---A human organism refers to an individual human being functioning as a complete, self-sustaining biological unit. It encompasses the physical body, composed of trillions of interacting cells, tissues, and 11 major organ systems, all working together to maintain life ......

wow: not sure i will be up to the task, but who knows. Actually i am quite amazed that from reading and using critical thinking and experimentation .... many common maladies that affect so many of us can be alleviated by lifestyle and eating choices . (easier to commit to once we have passed the i am invincible stage of life 555)

12 minutes ago, rumak said:

i guess if i come back again (in human form ) i might just dedicate my studies to the workings of the human organism

Osteopaths do that. It's impressive stuff. A long time ago, in the 2000s in France, I had a lingering pain at the bottom of my back, which was increasing day after day and I couldn't get rid of it. I was going to book an appointment with a physio, but a friend recommended an osteopath, so I thought I would give it a try.

He had me lying down on my back. Then he placed the palm of his hand about 1 cm from my body and just moved it along, from the neck down. When he reached the stomach, his hand recoiled and he said "it's not your back, it's your intestines". Turned out, after some discussion, that it was probably inflammation caused by the vibrations of a tattoo I'd recently done on my side – the dumb things humans do… 😄

He then proceeded to apply pressure at specific points of my soles, and I remember he also gently pulled some of my toes. After a few minutes, he said "we're done, you're going to feel a little low in energy during the afternoon, but your problem is solved". And sure enough, the pain disappeared for good – zero medication (and one very impressed Rattlesnake).

Edited May 17May 17 by rattlesnake

2 hours ago, rumak said:

Magnesium glycinate the one usually recommended for nightime relaxing. Only way to know about "shrinkage" is to get it measured. I had an ultrasound over a year ago so know the size at that time. Haven't felt like getting it tested again yet ....maybe some day. I have also come to the conclusion that much of the urgency is a bladder issue. They can be irritated by a number of things (coffee/caffeine is a biggie) ...but i remember you saying you enjoy your morning coffee (did you ease up on that? or maybe it doesn't affect you )

I can now have a little now and then... amazed that i made it that far as it used to create big urgency issues. I take SP and also lycopene ... lycopene being one supplement that can supposedly shrink the prostate. Also take a little zinc . The steady use of those has worked wonders.... though which one is foremost in helping i can't know for sure.

to sum it all up ..... i am sure the TWO urologists i saw would laugh away at my experience. They suggested the usual DRUGS which have weird side effects.... and even said surgery is "probably in the cards " at a later date.

stay well..... and keep the flow going strong !

Had more than a few ultrasounds over the years. As stated, better stream, but more noticeable is volume. Hence the thought of shrinking, as smaller, no pressure, no urgency, and more room for volume. Hopefully

Instead of 10 times a day, just a few. Mag Citrate for me, and now loose effects.

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Had more than a few ultrasounds over the years. As stated, better stream, but more noticeable is volume. Hence the thought of shrinking, as smaller, no pressure, no urgency, and more room for volume. Hopefully

Instead of 10 times a day, just a few. Mag Citrate for me, and now loose effects.

I've only ever taken citrate. @rumak do you know the difference between citrate and glycinate?

(I could 'ask AI' but I like to keep it human, that's the conservative in me).

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Instead of 10 times a day, just a few. Mag Citrate for me, and now loose effects.

That should read, "and NO loose effects"

59 minutes ago, rattlesnake said:

I've only ever taken citrate. @rumak do you know the difference between citrate and glycinate?

(I could 'ask AI' but I like to keep it human, that's the conservative in me).

haha or ahahhhh . hmmm. ok, we'll go from memory : originally my go to was magnesium chloride... as i read an interesting article stating it was the best form : before ai took over everything i found this article : https://www.liferesearchuniversal.com/magnesiumchloride.html

my concern then, and still now, was taking magnesium to reduce the muscle soreness i often felt . (btw, i always take boron with it in capsule form)

i do have citrate which mostly Pong uses and i got because many like its quick laxative effects. I did not notice much , and still prefer the chloride form . I even have the glycinate form which mostly sits on my shelf but i am tempted to take in the evening as it's suppose to relax and be easy on the stomach.

This all sounds like i am a research and vitamin nut but not really. I try to keep them to a minimum . However, my soon to be 76 year old body often brings up new challenges ! Lately i had stomach discomfort and had to figure out if i had too much acid or not enough acid . WHEW . Ai did help me, i have to admit, as the usual youtube videos promoting ACVinegar insist that older folks usually have a lack of acid . By asking an appropriate question or two of ai i went with the too much ! And so off to the ordering of L-glutamine powder , DGL, and another aid (do ones own research on healing the gut, particularly duodenum which had a gnawing feeling and was waking me up at night.

One month later i have basically no issues, but still careful . Fried foods, tomatoes, citrus can still irritate as it takes a few months to "completely heal". I asked a few questions which lead me to my "diagnosis" ..... (see duodenal ulcer) .

NOTE: i sure don't know how these supplements really work (scientifically) ..... but when i hit the right combo such as with my ulcer like symptoms, getting the "cure" right is a real relief and feeling of YES !!! no PPI's for me, thank you.

note: i buy Alta magnesium chloride from Iherb . Also i take boron with it : "Boron helps with taking magnesium by acting as a powerful bioavailability enhancer. It improves your body's ability to absorb magnesium, helps transport it into your bones"

Edited May 17May 17 by rumak

39 minutes ago, rumak said:

originally my go to was magnesium chloride... as i read an interesting article stating it was the best form : before ai took over everything i found this article : https://www.liferesearchuniversal.com/magnesiumchloride.html

A very interesting article.

And thanks for the whole response, food for thought indeed.

On 5/18/2026 at 12:15 AM, rumak said:

haha or ahahhhh . hmmm. ok, we'll go from memory : originally my go to was magnesium chloride... as i read an interesting article stating it was the best form : before ai took over everything i found this article : https://www.liferesearchuniversal.com/magnesiumchloride.html

my concern then, and still now, was taking magnesium to reduce the muscle soreness i often felt . (btw, i always take boron with it in capsule form)

i do have citrate which mostly Pong uses and i got because many like its quick laxative effects. I did not notice much , and still prefer the chloride form . I even have the glycinate form which mostly sits on my shelf but i am tempted to take in the evening as it's suppose to relax and be easy on the stomach.

This all sounds like i am a research and vitamin nut but not really. I try to keep them to a minimum . However, my soon to be 76 year old body often brings up new challenges ! Lately i had stomach discomfort and had to figure out if i had too much acid or not enough acid . WHEW . Ai did help me, i have to admit, as the usual youtube videos promoting ACVinegar insist that older folks usually have a lack of acid . By asking an appropriate question or two of ai i went with the too much ! And so off to the ordering of L-glutamine powder , DGL, and another aid (do ones own research on healing the gut, particularly duodenum which had a gnawing feeling and was waking me up at night.

One month later i have basically no issues, but still careful . Fried foods, tomatoes, citrus can still irritate as it takes a few months to "completely heal". I asked a few questions which lead me to my "diagnosis" ..... (see duodenal ulcer) .

NOTE: i sure don't know how these supplements really work (scientifically) ..... but when i hit the right combo such as with my ulcer like symptoms, getting the "cure" right is a real relief and feeling of YES !!! no PPI's for me, thank you.

note: i buy Alta magnesium chloride from Iherb . Also i take boron with it : "Boron helps with taking magnesium by acting as a powerful bioavailability enhancer. It improves your body's ability to absorb magnesium, helps transport it into your bones"

Thanks for your insight, it’s much appreciated. I picked up some rishi mushrooms a couple years ago up at Doi Pui and boiling it into tea and it does make a difference in the flow of things.

On 5/21/2026 at 6:09 PM, novacova said:

Thanks for your insight, it’s much appreciated. I picked up some rishi mushrooms a couple years ago up at Doi Pui and boiling it into tea and it does make a difference in the flow of things.

I think you are in CM area..... so probably know about Dr Wang shop near the Warorot Market (lg market) . I used to get a selection of herbs for tea that he chose....... Now i have researched and buy a few (100 g worth of each) that we crush as needed and i take about 3 times a week . I use three of them together . (take 3 gm of each per tea, lasts a long time !

Research gives some good info (Alter ai used to be great but is no longer free for me) .

Here is an example : "Alpinia oxyphylla. Alpinia oxyphylla is known as “yì zhì (益智)” in Chinese. For centuries, the capsular fruit of this plant has been widely utilized in TCM to address specific symptoms of urinary incontinence, including frequency, urgency, and nocturia.

also....wu wei zi and mai men dong 🙂 are in my concoction