More Positive Evidence For Vitamin C in Cancer

I have written extensively on the evidence supporting intravenous (IV) vitamin C used in combination with chemotherapy. This past week another study has shown a positive effect as a combo. 

It looked at ovarian cancer cells in mice that were given IV doses of vitamin C plus 2 commonly used chemo drugs, paclitaxel and carboplatin. They found the combo synergistically inhibited the cancer cells. The researchers stated that vitamin C increases the level of hydrogen peroxide which cancer cells are not able to deal with. This damages their DNA and causes them to die. Normal cells are unaffected by this since they are not dividing as quickly so their DNA is not as vulnerable. This is why vitamin C has very little side effects even when given in high IV doses. 

The same research group also went further and gave the vitamin C and chemo combo to 25 ovarian cancer patients. The results after 12 months were less side effects (bone marrow suppression, kidney/lung/liver damage, and nerve damage in the group that received vitamin C vs just chemo. The survival times were also 8.75 months longer in the vitamin C group compared with the placebo group. 


This evidence supports the combination of a vitamin C along with chemotherapy. Now conventional medicine is starting to see that natural substances like vitamin C do not interfere with chemo as previously thought but actually improve outcomes. I think most cancer patients can really benefit from this therapy since its relatively inexpensive, very safe and now shown again to be effective. More studies are needed to confirm its use in other cancer types but these results are much needed and very promising.


In health,
Dr Paul Hrkal


Full article and commentary

Article abstract: 
http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/6/222/222ra18


More information on Vitamin C
New Research – High dose vitamin C shows promising Anti-Cancer Effect
Vitamin C: IV vs oral - its all in the delivery!
The Dual Action of Vitamin C in Cancer Therapy


Dr Hrkal's recent article in vitality magazine

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Dr Hrkal's article on vitamin C and cancer therapy