by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: What can you tell me about vitamin C therapy for lung cancer? Do you feel that this therapy is worthwhile?
A: First, let me speak somewhat generally about vitamin C and the prevention of cancer, which is becoming a more widely accepted concept. Interest in the possible connection between vitamin C and cancer was initially stimulated from two different perspectives:
(1) there seem to be dietary differences between those who get cancer and those who do not;
(2) there seem to be properties inherent to vitamin C that might be useful for fighting cancers.
Dietary differences: Many studies seem to show that people who eat large amounts of fruits and vegetables have a reduced risk of cancer; conversely, people who eat small amounts of these foods seem to have an increased risk of cancer. And what do these foods have in common? Vitamin C. Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of vitamin C, as well as other substances such as vitamin E, selenium, carotenoids, and folate. Vitamin C is considered an ?antioxidant? which means that it binds to free radicals and prevents them from causing cell damage. Free radicals are made in the body via normal metabolic reactions, as well as external sources such as tobacco, pollutants, pesticides and organic solvents.
Free radical damage occurs gradually over many years, eventually damaging the genetic structure, or DNA. It is believed that cancers are in part caused by this type of damage. The value of antioxidants is that they bind to free radicals, and prevent this initial damage. In addition, antioxidants may even prevent continued damage once the changes have taken place.
Vitamin C as cancer fighter: In addition to antioxidant properties, vitamin C, particularly at high doses, seems to have ability to boost the immune system through a variety of mechanisms. Nobel Peace Prize winner Linus Pauling, together with Ewan Cameron from Scotland, are the best known researchers of vitamin C and its relationship to cancer. Now, much of the respected research on vitamin C and other micronutrients comes from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
Cameron and other researchers have tested vitamin C therapy in doses of 10-12 grams per day in over 1000 people. Some of the patients followed were considered ?terminal? and did not use any type of conventional treatment; however, the majority of patients followed by Cameron used the vitamin C therapy as an adjunct to their conventional treatment. Results of these trials showed that those taking vitamin C lived up to 10 times longer than those receiving the same treatments but not taking vitamin C. In addition, for those receiving conventional treatments, e.g. chemotherapy and radiation, side effects such as loss of appetite, drowsiness, and pain seemed to be lessened by using vitamin C therapy as an adjunct.
Camerons trials with vitamin C therapy are reported for cancers in general. It is difficult to know how to apply this information to treatment of specific cancers. However, for prevention of certain cancers, vitamin C seems to be especially useful in guarding against oral, esophageal, gastric and pancreatic cancer.
Other studies by a physician named Hoffer in British Columbia suggest that Vitamin C megadoses may be particularly useful in prolonging survival in breast, ovarian, cervical and uterine cancers.
The use of vitamin C as a cancer treatment remedy is still fairly controversial; in fact, there are some physicians who feel that usage of antioxidants may actually impede the benefits of chemotherapy. More research is needed to corroborate these findings.
Amount to use:
The latest in terms of amount of daily vitamin C intake for prevention of cancer, direct from the Linus Pauling Institute (LPI), is now 200-500 mg of vitamin C supplements per day in combination with 5 servings of fruits and vegetables. The recommended amounts for prevention, up to about one month ago, were much higher by the people at LPI and by others. Again, check with your own physician about dosage amounts that pertain to your own individual condition.
Due to the volume of mail we receive, Dr. Hart will not be able to answer each question personally, or give diagnostic advice for a specific health condition. As always, you should contact your own health care provider for questions pertaining to your personal health. This column is not meant to be a substitute for a physicians care. Your name and email address will be kept completely confidential, and will not appear in the online response.
Q: What can you tell me about vitamin C therapy for lung cancer? Do you feel that this therapy is worthwhile?
A: First, let me speak somewhat generally about vitamin C and the prevention of cancer, which is becoming a more widely accepted concept. Interest in the possible connection between vitamin C and cancer was initially stimulated from two different perspectives:
(1) there seem to be dietary differences between those who get cancer and those who do not;
(2) there seem to be properties inherent to vitamin C that might be useful for fighting cancers.
Dietary differences: Many studies seem to show that people who eat large amounts of fruits and vegetables have a reduced risk of cancer; conversely, people who eat small amounts of these foods seem to have an increased risk of cancer. And what do these foods have in common? Vitamin C. Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of vitamin C, as well as other substances such as vitamin E, selenium, carotenoids, and folate. Vitamin C is considered an ?antioxidant? which means that it binds to free radicals and prevents them from causing cell damage. Free radicals are made in the body via normal metabolic reactions, as well as external sources such as tobacco, pollutants, pesticides and organic solvents.
Free radical damage occurs gradually over many years, eventually damaging the genetic structure, or DNA. It is believed that cancers are in part caused by this type of damage. The value of antioxidants is that they bind to free radicals, and prevent this initial damage. In addition, antioxidants may even prevent continued damage once the changes have taken place.
Vitamin C as cancer fighter: In addition to antioxidant properties, vitamin C, particularly at high doses, seems to have ability to boost the immune system through a variety of mechanisms. Nobel Peace Prize winner Linus Pauling, together with Ewan Cameron from Scotland, are the best known researchers of vitamin C and its relationship to cancer. Now, much of the respected research on vitamin C and other micronutrients comes from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
Cameron and other researchers have tested vitamin C therapy in doses of 10-12 grams per day in over 1000 people. Some of the patients followed were considered ?terminal? and did not use any type of conventional treatment; however, the majority of patients followed by Cameron used the vitamin C therapy as an adjunct to their conventional treatment. Results of these trials showed that those taking vitamin C lived up to 10 times longer than those receiving the same treatments but not taking vitamin C. In addition, for those receiving conventional treatments, e.g. chemotherapy and radiation, side effects such as loss of appetite, drowsiness, and pain seemed to be lessened by using vitamin C therapy as an adjunct.
Camerons trials with vitamin C therapy are reported for cancers in general. It is difficult to know how to apply this information to treatment of specific cancers. However, for prevention of certain cancers, vitamin C seems to be especially useful in guarding against oral, esophageal, gastric and pancreatic cancer.
Other studies by a physician named Hoffer in British Columbia suggest that Vitamin C megadoses may be particularly useful in prolonging survival in breast, ovarian, cervical and uterine cancers.
The use of vitamin C as a cancer treatment remedy is still fairly controversial; in fact, there are some physicians who feel that usage of antioxidants may actually impede the benefits of chemotherapy. More research is needed to corroborate these findings.
Amount to use:
The latest in terms of amount of daily vitamin C intake for prevention of cancer, direct from the Linus Pauling Institute (LPI), is now 200-500 mg of vitamin C supplements per day in combination with 5 servings of fruits and vegetables. The recommended amounts for prevention, up to about one month ago, were much higher by the people at LPI and by others. Again, check with your own physician about dosage amounts that pertain to your own individual condition.
Due to the volume of mail we receive, Dr. Hart will not be able to answer each question personally, or give diagnostic advice for a specific health condition. As always, you should contact your own health care provider for questions pertaining to your personal health. This column is not meant to be a substitute for a physicians care. Your name and email address will be kept completely confidential, and will not appear in the online response.