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Literature Review
We
are constantly reviewing the literature around vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) in human
pathology. Here is a list of papers covering the vast area of Ascorbic
Acid. You can search the titles by entering a topic at the top of the page. Some may be available online via PubMed, or at least as abstracts. We have many of these papers on file at the Centre.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin and most people know that lack leads
to scurvy. The optimal amount needed to stay healthy is uncertain - the
RDA (recommended daily allowance - which will keep scurvy away) is 50 -
60mg per day.
However Man and the primates are one of the few species on the planet
who cannot make their own vitamin C (others include guinea pigs, a
fruit eating bat and an Australian bird - the latter eat a lot of fruit
and berries and have a huge vitamin C intake).
A 70kg goat which is about man sized makes 10 - 13 grams of vitamin C
per day, and a monkey in a zoo needs 5 grams of vitamin C to stay
healthy.
So many people wonder if the RDA is not set far too low!
All over the world people take vitamin C supplements and believe they
avoid flu and other illnesses by doing so. The most famous supporter of
this was Dr Linus Pauling, two time Nobel Prize winner, who himself
took 10 grams or more every day.
Sadly, because there is little money to be made by selling vitamin C,
few trials have been performed. (Most modern large trials are usually
funded by drug firms, and they cannot patent vitamin C). However there
is good scientific data showing that vitamin C can boost immune
function, and has an anti viral action. Because there are absolutely no
disadvantages to taking vitamin C, we believe it is wise for everyone
to take at least 2 grams per day, or more where indicated.
In diseased states, the need for vitamin C increases. This can be seen
in animals who often increase their vitamin C production more than
tenfold, and also in humans when the amount of vitamin C found in the
blood and the urine falls dramatically during illness and stress. This
suggests that in these conditions, the intake of vitamin C should be
greatly increased.
Vitamin C and Cancer
This is a highly controversial issue. In spite of the ever
increasing evidence of the safety and efficacy of vitamin C in the
prevention and management of Cancer, it is still considered
experimental. As a starting point for anyone considering
intravenous vitamin C as an option in Cancer, we recommend you discuss
the articles below with a health professional, oncologist or doctor at
our clinic.
Riordan NH, Riordan HD, Hunninghake RE. (1997) Intravenous Ascorbate as a Chemotherapeutic and Biologic Response Modifying Agent. RECNAC Project.
Gonzalez et al. (2005) Orthomolecular Oncology Review: Ascorbic Acid and Cancer 25 Years Later. Integrat Cancer Ther 4(1):32-44.
Padayatty et al. (2004) Vitamin C Pharmacokinetics: Implications for Oral and Intravenous Use. Ann Intern Med 140(7):533-537.
Chen et al. (2005) Pharmacological
concentrations of ascorbic acid selectively kills cancer cells: Action
as a pro-drug to deliver hydrogen peroxide to tissues. PNAS 102:13604-13609.
Padayatty et al. (2006) Intravenously Administered Vitamin C as Cancer Therapy: Three Cases. CMAJ 174(7):937-942.
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Article by Our Team
We are pleased to annouce the publication of our review article 'Vitamin C: Evidence, application and commentary' in the New Zealand Family Physician. Click above to download.
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