by Hiu Chung So Despite vitamin C's well-known antioxidant properties, multiple clinical trials since the 1970s have found it ineffective as a cancer treatment. Thus, vitamin C has been largely ignored by conventional oncology and is usually offered only in alternative/complementary practices. A glass of OJ a day may not help against cancer, but researchers found that high-doses of intravenous vitamin C can enhance chemotherapy's effectiveness against ovarian cancer.However, an article published in the Feb. 5 issue of Science Translational Medicine may reinvigorate research for this nutrient. The study found that vitamin C, when administered intravenously, induces cancer cell death without harming normal tissues. And in animal models, vitamin C made ovarian cancer cells more sensitive to the chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel.Additionally, in an early-phase clinical trial involving 27 patients, those receiving vitamin C in addition to standard chemotherapy were less likely to experience toxic side effects.
The finding suggests that vitamin C may have potential in helping patients tolerate higher and more powerful doses of chemotherapy."With enhanced understanding of [vitamin C's] anticancer action presented here, plus a clear safety profile, biological and clinical plausibility have a firm foundation," the study's authors wrote, adding that these findings justify larger clinical trials to investigate vitamin C's effectiveness in enhancing conventional chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.However, actual further study of this nutrient is another matter, according to Robert Morgan, M.D., co-director of City of Hope's gynecological oncology program.Providing external commentary to the Los Angeles Times, Morgan said that "the issue with any type of cancer research is who’s going to pay for it ... Pharma does it because they expect ultimately to find a drug that’s effective, helps patients and will make a profit for their shareholders. [Vitamin C] is the kind of a drug that if somebody invested in it, they would not expect to make back their investment.”
Further, the decades-long stigma against vitamin C cancer studies could scare off research funding sources.Here, at least, the government could provide recourse. Jeffrey White, M.D., director of the National Cancer Institute's Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCI OCCAM), said the findings explain much about vitamin C's effect on ovarian cancer cells. He said future studies are warranted, opening the possibility of a grant to fund such research.And although vitamin C may not be offered anytime soon as part of standard cancer treatment, patients should feel open to discuss complementary and alternative medicine therapies — and clinical trials involving them — with their health care providers.For help initiating and continuing this conversation, consider using NCI OCCAM's workbook "Talking about Complementary and Alternative Medicine with Health Care Providers", which is downloadable and printable from their website. You may also be interested in What is your HIV status?
You should find out Ovarian cancer survivor leans on family, faith and City of Hope to defy odds Tamoxifen for 10 years, not just 5, after breast cancer? Gift from Jim and Judy Baum creates City of Hope professorship in women’s cancersJoin 60,000 others in my newsletter and get a free ebook! Subscribe to Dr Sircus newletter and receive for free an ebook and introductory articles that will guide you through his protocol and the medicinals that compose it. Sodium Bicarbonate Cancer Treatment Overview Join 60,000 others in my newsletter and get a free ebook! Subscribe to Dr Sircus newletter and receive for free an ebook and introductory articles that will guide you through his protocol and the medicinals that compose it. Numerical and Mathematical Modeling of Flow and Transport Collaborative and Group Learning ResearchThis page provides information on vitamin C for dogs - Is it necessary to supplement our dogs with vitamin C? Which form of vitamin C is best?
What are the benefits of vitamin C to dogs? Read on to find out. You may wonder if it is necessary to supplement dogs with vitamin C, since dogs can produce the vitamin in their bodies. True - but if a dog is stressed or sick, their bodies' output of vitamin C can quickly be depleted. In fact, it has been found that stress, both physical (e.g. fever, infections, etc.) and emotional (e.g. stress caused by a change in the environment), is the best-known cause of vitamin C depletion in dogs. In addition, it has been found that dogs supplemented with vitamin C have stronger immune systems and show greater resistance to disease, and a better ability to recover from illness or injuries. Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It works with vitamin E and helps regenerate vitamin E, enhancing its antioxidant effect. Vitamin C improves immune function by enhancing white blood cell function and activity. It also increases the blood levels of interferon (the body's natural antiviral and anti-cancer compound) and antibodies (proteins that destroy foreign material such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins).
In fact, many veterinarians (both conventional and holistic) now routinely include vitamin C in their treatment protocols for various illnesses, including cancer, infections such as bladder and urinary tract infections, respiratory infections (e.g. kennel cough), and others. Some veterinarians also suggest giving dogs vitamin C as a preventative and immune booster. For example, vitamin C can be given to dogs before and after vaccination, to feeble and old dogs, to pregnant and lactating dogs, and to those that have been exposed to contagious diseases. Moreover, vitamin C maintains the health of collagen. Therefore, it is also helpful for dogs with arthritis and degenerative joint disease, hip dysplasia, and spinal disorders. If you need to supplement your dog with vitamin C, the best form is the salt forms of vitamin C, known as mineral ascorbates (calcium ascorbate and sodium ascorbate). Ascorbates are easily absorbed anywhere in the dog's intestinal tract.
They are also considered to be the most gentle (buffered) forms of vitamin C and cause fewer side effects such as diarrhea or heartburn. Calcium ascorbate is pH-neutral, and has a slightly bitter taste. It is widely considered to be able to give the best results in relieving symptoms of arthritis. Sodium ascorbate is also pH-neutral. It has a slightly saline taste. According to Dr. Wendell Belfield (the leading advocate of using vitamin C supplements in dogs), sodium ascorbate is the most effective form of vitamin C for dogs. Since vitamin C is water soluble, excessive amount is excreted through the kidney. However, too much vitamin C will cause diarrhea in dogs especially if given in one dose. How much vitamin C to supplement depends on the individual dog's lifestyle and health condition, as well as the dog's tolerance level of vitamin C (i.e. the upper limit of vitamin C before the dog develops diarrhea). In her book "Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs", Cheryl Schwartz, DVM, suggests the following dosages for health maintenance: