IV Vitamin C

There is now a growing consensus in the scientific literature that IV vitamin C is a safe and supportive intervention for cancerpatients. It helps to lower inflammation, improves symptoms related to antioxidant deficiency, alleviates disease processes, and reduces the side effects of standard cancer treatments [6].

Over the past century, the idea that vitamin C can actually treat cancer has been controversial. However, there are well documented cases where patients with advanced cancers had unexpectedly long survival times and improved symptoms after receiving high-dose intravenous vitamin C therapy. In light of these findings, researchers called for a reassessment of the role of high-dose IV vitamin C therapy in cancer treatment [7].

New knowledge is now emerging regarding the anti-cancer properties of vitamin C. Recent high-profile studies have rekindled interest in high-dose vitamin C for cancer treatment. These studies show that vitamin C targets many of the mechanisms that cancer cells use for their survival and growth [8].

After 60 years of research on vitamin C as an anti-cancer agent, a 2022 study confirms that high-dose intravenousvitamin C has many benefits including: “cytotoxicity for cancer cells but not for normal cells; improved quality of life for cancer patients; protection of normal tissues from toxicity caused by chemotherapy; reinforcement of the action of radiation and some types of chemotherapy; immune system enhancement; and strengthening of collagen” [9].

Another recent study from 2021 highlights mounting evidence that vitamin C has the potential to be a potent anti-cancer agent when administered intravenously and in high doses [10]. Early phase clinical trials have confirmed safety and indicated efficacy in eradicating tumor cells of various cancer types [10].

The use of high-dose vitamin C as a cancer therapy began in the 1950s. William McCormick, a Canadian physician, observed that cancer patients often had low vitamin C levels and presented with symptoms similar to scurvy. This led McCormick to formulate the hypothesis that vitamin C may help to prevent cancer from spreading to healthy tissues by increasing collagen production.

Linus Pauling and Ewan Cameron then built on McCormick’s theory and published a groundbreaking study in 1976, which showed that high-dose IV vitamin C increased the survival times of patients with advanced cancer [11]. Pauling went on to win the Nobel Prize for his work on vitamin C, but McCormick was the original pioneer of vitamin C for cancer.

Despite these early findings, vitamin C as a cancer therapy has a controversial history. In 1979, the Mayo Clinic conducted double-blind randomized clinical trials on high-dose vitamin C, which showed no benefits in cancer patients [12]. This was more rigorously designed research from a respected institution, which discredited Pauling and Cameron’s landmark study.

However, the scientific and medical communities overlooked the fact that the cancer patients in the Mayo Clinic studies were only treated with oral vitamin C. In fact, the studies did not disprove high-dose vitamin C’s efficacy as a cancer treatment when administered intravenously. Unfortunately, as a result of these “gold standard” studies, many mainstream doctors remain prejudiced against vitamin C as a cancer therapy.

Over the years, it proved difficult for scientists to obtain funding for research on vitamin C IV therapy. Vitamin C is not patentable and the mechanisms of action were not initially clear. This meant that there was no incentive for pharmaceutical companies to finance clinical trials. Studies that were conducted had to rely on government grants or private funding [13].

In recent years, it has come to light that vitamin C concentration in blood plasma is tightly controlled when taken orally, whereas an IV infusion bypasses the body’s control mechanisms. Plasma concentrations high enough to kill cancer cells can only be achieved with IV vitamin C. This new knowledge has spurred new research into the clinical potential of vitamin C[13].

High-dose IV vitamin C protocols are generally well-tolerated and considered remarkably safe for most cancer patients, but there are certain contraindications [14].

If you have G6PD deficiency high-dose vitamin C therapy would be contraindicated. G6PD is the enzyme required to safely metabolize high doses of vitamin C. If there is a deficiency the treatment could cause red blood cells to rupture. It is therefore advised to test for a G6PD deficiency prior to starting high-dose vitamin C therapy.

Patients with reduced kidney function, for example in the case of kidney disease or kidney failure, should also avoid the treatment. They may have problems clearing high doses of vitamin C from circulation [14].

It may come as a surprise to you that a natural therapy has significant evidence supporting its use as a cancer treatment.

However, the body of research on the anti-cancer benefits of IV vitamin C is more compelling than many prescription drugs currently found on the market.

The scientifically supported benefits of high-dose IV vitamin C include:

• Improved quality of life

• Increased overall survival

• Reduction in pain

• Increased energy

• Increased appetite

• Decreased cancer-associated inflammation

• Prevents cancer-associated sepsis

• Combats infections (viral, bacterial, fungi)

• Reduces side effects and toxicity of chemotherapy

• Reduces side effects and toxicity of radiation

• Augments the cancer kill rate of chemotherapy

• Augments the cancer kill rate of radiation

• Kills cancer cells

• Allows a decrease in the dose of chemotherapy, yet maintains the same cancer kill rate

• Improves surgery recovery time

• Reduces post-surgery pain

• May even decrease post-surgery cancer recurrence

• Kills cancer stem cells (CSC)

What’s more, IV vitamin C therapy does not damage healthy cells or compromise your immune system. In fact, there are no significant side effects and it has been shown to be safe even with daily megadoses of up to 300 grams.

The risk-benefit profile of vitamin C, when compared with the inherent collateral damage of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, makes it a worthwhile inclusion in your treatment program if you are suffering from cancer.