Cancer Support

Inside tumors, oxygen levels are often low, and the cells adapt to these conditions by growing without relying on oxygen. They do this by activating a protein called HIF-1. Vitamin C plays a key role in regulating this process by affecting the enzymes that deactivate HIF-1. Research has consistently shown that lower levels of HIF-1 are linked to higher levels of vitamin C in tumor cells.

Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping to stop harmful reactions in the body by neutralizing free radicals. It also works alongside vitamin E, helping to restore it to its active form. In addition to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C is involved in various enzyme processes, such as those that help produce amino acids and hormones. This suggests that vitamin C can help combat oxidative stress and damage, particularly in situations where there’s an increase in oxygen levels or cell death. A study published in Cancer Cell in 2013 demonstrated the potential benefits of high-dose vitamin C as an ROS scavenger in cancer therapy. The researchers found that high-dose vitamin C selectively generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells, which led to their death while leaving normal cells unaffected. This study highlighted vitamin C’s ability to enhance oxidative stress in tumors, making it a promising adjunct therapy for cancer treatment. The findings suggest that by increasing ROS levels, high-dose vitamin C can potentially slow down tumor growth and enhance the effectiveness of conventional cancer treatments.

When given in high doses intravenously, vitamin C can act as a pro-oxidant, triggering a process that generates hydrogen peroxide in cancer cells, which leads to cell damage and death. This is due to vitamin C’s ability to interact with metals like iron and copper, which are more abundant in cancer cells. These metals react with hydrogen peroxide to create highly reactive molecules that can damage cancer cells. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells also lack an enzyme called catalase, making them more vulnerable to oxidative stress. By increasing oxidative stress in cancer cells, high-dose vitamin C can support anticancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Additionally, vitamin C can enhance the effectiveness of glycolysis inhibitors, which also increase oxidative stress in cancer cells.

Vitamin C is vital for the reduction of iron, which is necessary for the proper function of iron-dependent proteins. This includes important processes like energy production in the mitochondria, collagen production, and the regulation of oxidative stress.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in regulating cancer cell behavior by providing signals that help maintain tissue structure and integrity. This dynamic matrix is constantly being remodeled by enzymes and signaling molecules, and when this process goes awry, it can contribute to cancer growth and metastasis. Collagen, a key structural protein in the ECM, helps cells stick to the matrix. Controlling collagen production is an important factor in cancer progression. Collagen fibers create a strong structure that anchors cells to the ECM, and vitamin C helps stabilize these fibers, preventing abnormal invasions by cancer cells. Vitamin C also affects cancer cell invasion by reversing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). It does so by deactivating HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor) and increasing E-cadherin levels while reducing vimentin, which helps suppress EMT and limit cell migration.

In pre-clinical studies, high-dose vitamin C has been shown to improve the effectiveness of several chemotherapy drugs, across different types of cancer cells. It often works in synergy with these treatments, boosting their impact by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which helps to enhance the overall effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Vitamin C plays a crucial role in supporting immune function by being present in high levels in most immune cells. It acts as an antioxidant and helps regulate several important processes in the immune response. Vitamin C also supports the activation and growth of immune cells, including the development of B-cells, the maturation of T-cells, and the production of cytokines. It boosts the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, helping them target and destroy cancer cells. Additionally, recent research has shown that vitamin C can influence the immune system’s genetic activity, restoring functions in regulatory T-cells (Tregs) and promoting proper immune responses.

Extensive clinical research indicates that high-dose vitamin C holds significant promise as a therapeutic agent in cancer treatment. Its ability to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies, while causing minimal side effects even at high concentrations, makes it a preferred, non-toxic option for cancer patients. Its cancer-specific cytotoxicity further supports its potential as an effective treatment strategy. With all this evidence to support high-dose vitamin C as a highly potent adjunct therapy for cancer support, we invite you to begin your journey to wellness today with a consultation to see if high-dose vitamin C is the right fit for you.

References
https: //sci-hub.st/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110588
https: //www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/12/1894/htm
https: //jeccr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.11
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