Injections of Vitamin C Slash Cancer Growth
High doses of vitamin C injections reduced the size of tumors and
slowed cancerous growths by about 50 percent in laboratory mice,
according to US research.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health noted the
phenomenon in brain, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, according to
findings published in the August 5 issue of the Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences.
"Researchers discovered that high concentrations of ascorbate had
anticancer effects in 75 percent of cancer cell lines tested, while
sparing normal cells," the report said.
"The researchers traced ascorbate's anti-cancer effect to the
formation of hydrogen peroxide in the extracellular fluid
surrounding the tumors. Normal cells were unaffected," it said.
Injections were necessary because the body regulates vitamin C when
ingested, so that higher doses cannot be attained.
"When you eat foods containing more than 200 milligrams of vitamin C
a day -- for example, two oranges and a serving of broccoli -- your
body prevents blood levels of ascorbate from exceeding a narrow
range," said Mark Levine, the study's lead author and chief of the
Molecular and Clinical Nutrition Section of the National Institute
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Vitamin-C
Scientists "injected ascorbate into the veins or abdominal cavities
of rodents with aggressive brain, ovarian, and pancreatic tumors,"
the report said, delivering "up to four grams per kilogram of body
weight daily."
By injecting mice with 43 cancer and five normal cell lines, "the
researchers discovered that high concentrations of ascorbate had
anticancer effects in 75 percent of cancer cell lines tested, while
sparing normal cells."
Scientists involved with the study also pointed to evidence that
"these high ascorbate concentrations could be achieved in people."
"In immune-deficient mice with rapidly spreading ovarian,
pancreatic, and glioblastoma (brain) tumors ... the ascorbate
injections reduced tumor growth and weight by 41 to 53 percent."
The researchers concluded that the findings "provide the first firm
basis for advancing pharmacologic ascorbate in cancer treatment in
humans."
Vitamin C was considered as a possible treatment for cancer three
decades ago, but subsequent studies showed oral doses provided no
benefit.
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