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Nutrition continued

Vitamin C.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water‐soluble vitamin. Unlike most mammals, humans do not have the ability to make their own vitamin C; therefore
we must obtain it through our diet. Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen, an important structural component of blood vessels, tendons, ligaments,
and bone.

Vitamin C is also a highly effective antioxidant. Even in small amounts vitamin C can protect indispensable molecules in the body, such as proteins, lipids (fats),
carbohydrates, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) from damage by free radicals and reactive oxygen species. These can be generated during normal metabolism as
well as through exposure to toxins and pollutants (e.g. smoking). Vitamin C may also be able to regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin E. As an antioxidant
it has shown that it can be used to destroy cancer cells in a non‐toxic way when used in very large doses. This is achieved by intravenous use. Vitamin C generates
the reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide, which is toxic to cells. Healthy cells metabolise this efficiently, via the catalase enzyme, into oxygen and water.
However tumour cells lack catalase thus leaving them vulnerable to a cytotoxic effect. In addition, cancer cells have an abundance of GLUT glucose transporters
which, in addition to glucose, also transport vitamin C into the cell. Therefore tumour cells selectively uptake more vitamin C (and hence hydrogen peroxide) than
regular cells, and can’t metabolise it efficiently. This increased exposure to hydrogen peroxide may kill cancer cells (3).

Intravenous Vitamin C (IVC) may also significantly reduce the side effects of cancer treatment, including fatigue, nausea, insomnia, constipation and depression. A
pilot RCT of 27 newly diagnosed stage 111‐1V ovarian cancer patients reported half of the adverse events compared to the control group when treated with IVC
alongside chemotherapy. There was a non‐significant trend toward improved survival, and the median time to disease progression or relapse was longer (25.5
months vs 16.75 months, 4).

Vitamin C therapy can be used in any stage of cancer. It involves daily intravenous administration of vitamin C up to 75g for three weeks. Generally speaking,
patients might feel tiredness due to the destruction of many cancer cells. Liposomal Vitamin C is a recent development that allows a consistent high dosage of
Vitamin C to be taken orally, far higher than would otherwise be possible. This is providing another option for treatment either in addition to intravenous
treatment, or as an alternative for those unable to obtain intravenous treatment.