Vitamin C was suggested for use in cancer since 1950. Cancer patients are often deficient in Vitamin C (Riordan, et al;2005). Vitamin deficiency in cancer patients is due to reduced intake, reduced bioavailability, increased tissue utilization and increased oxidative stress.nVitamin C is very essential for collagen synthesis, which in turn plays a major role in encapsulating the tumour preventing its tastasis.So vitamin C deficiency in cancer patients increase the chance of tumour spread. Many studies have reported that high dose Vitamin C has redox properties and reduced cell proliferation in Prostate, Pancreas, Hepatocellular, Colon and Mesothelioma. Two studies of IV Vitamin C also reported better quality of life and reduced toxicity related to chemotherapy .
Why IV Vitamin C ?
Vitamin C or Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and its level in plasma is tightly controlled by bowel and kidney. It tends to accumulate in adrenal glands, brain and some WBC types and the plasma levels remains low. Levine and coworkers showed that plasma level remained below 100 micro M, even if 2500mg of ascorbate were consumed through mouth. Still higher doses of oral Vitamin C can result in loose stools. When given as I.V infusion, a peak concentration of 10Mm can be attained. (Padayatty, et al.,2004)
At plasma concentration of 1mM and above, continuous I.V infusion of Vitamin C can result in build-up of hydrogen peroxide, which is preferentially toxic towards tumour cells. (Benade, et al., 1969, Chen, et al.,2005; Frei and Lawson, 2008)
High dose Vitamin C for Cancer
Vitamin C was suggested for use in cancer since 1950. Cancer patients are often deficient in Vitamin C (Riordan, et al;2005). Vitamin deficiency in cancer patients is due to reduced intake, reduced bioavailability, increased tissue utilization, and increased oxidative stress. Vitamin C is very essential for collagen synthesis, which in turn plays a major role in encapsulating the tumour preventing its metastasis.So vitamin C deficiency in cancer patients increases the chance of tumour spread. Many studies have reported that high dose Vitamin C has redox properties and reduced cell proliferation in Prostate, Pancreas, Hepatocellular, Colon and Mesothelioma. Two studies of IV Vitamin C also reported better quality of life and reduced toxicity related to chemotherapy.
Vitamin C plays a role in angiogenesis inhibition. Tumour angiogenesis is the process of formation of new vessels in the tumour. This is supposed to be a critical factor in the growth and spread of the tumour. Mirikova et al demonstrated in experimental models, angiogenesis inhibition by ascorbate concentration of 1-10mM. Another important mechanism by which Vitamin C exert its anticancer action is by modulating inflammation. Inflammation is commonly seen among cancer patients and usually, CRP levels parallels the degree of inflammation. IV Vitamin C treatment reduced CRP levels in a significant number of cancer patients. Mirikova et al also showed that pro-inflammatory cytokines like INF alpha, IL-8, IL-2, IL-1 alpha, eotaxin etc were actually reduced after infusion of 50g of ascorbate.
Other benefits of vitamin C therapy
Who should take Vitamin C therapy?
Safety of IV Vitamin C
A 2010 study by Padayatty et al evaluated IV Vitamin C use among 9000 patients. Only minor side effects like lethargy, change in mental state, vein irritation, etc. Most of these side effects were temporary and easily corrected. But caution has to be taken while administering high dose IV Vitamin C to patients with reduced renal function(oxalate nephropathy), G6PD deficiency(hemolysis), and hemochromatosis(Iron overload) because of the risk for potential complications.
Myers Cocktail
At Bethaniya Clinic, for wellness purposes, we administer Vitamin C as MYERS cocktail. Myers cocktail is a combination of intravenous vitamins and minerals formulated by late John Myers MD. The cocktail contains Magnesium, B complex vitamins, and calcium in addition to Vitamin C. This is of particular benefit for patients with fibromyalgia and related symptoms.