THE BENEFITS OF HIGH-DOSE IV VITAMIN C FOR CANCER PATIENTS
Oncologists commonly advise patients undergoing chemotherapy to avoid taking any vitamins that might have antioxidant properties as these vitamins counteract the oxidative properties of chemotherapy. Unsurprisingly, vitamin C is typically at the top of the list of vitamins to avoid.What many oncologists do not understand is that when vitamin C is given intravenously at a high dose (50-75 grams), it is preferentially taken up by cancer cells and converted to hydrogen peroxide which has an antioxidant effect within these cancer cells that leads to cell death. Studies have shown High-dose Intravenous Vitamin C (HDIVC) makes chemotherapy more effective while simultaneously diminishing the side effects.
HOW HIGH-DOSE IV VITAMIN C AND CHEMOTHERAPY WORK TOGETHER
Recent research backs up substantial prior evidence that HDIVC increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation. One study showed that utilizing the chemotherapy drug 5-FU in conjunction with HDIVC resulted in a 72% decrease in cancer growth in comparison to only a 38% decrease when utilizing 5-FU alone. The same study showed that utilizing another chemotherapy drug, bleomycin in conjunction with HDIVC resulted in a 92% decrease in cancer growth in comparison to only a 73% decrease when utilizing bleomycin alone. A different study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at Bastyr University Research Center demonstrated that the three-year survival rates for stage-IV colon, lung, and breast cancer patients and stage-III ovarian cancer patients who were treated with HDIVC were dramatically better than the national statistics of patients undergoing chemotherapy alone.
DECREASING CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECTS WITH HIGH-DOSE IV VITAMIN C
In addition to the overall improved outcomes for advanced stage cancer patients, several recent studies have shown that HDIVC alleviates a number of cancer- and chemotherapy-related symptoms, such as fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea and pain. Improvements in physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning as well as an improvement in overall health were also observed.A great deal of conflicting information exists regarding the appropriate time and place for the administration of HDIVC in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. A recent scientific paper describes the overall direction of the data:“Clinical investigation of pharmacologic ascorbate should be considered as an addition to existing cancer treatments. Its mechanism of action as a pro-drug for hydrogen peroxide generation within the cancer cell is distinct from most currently used agents. For this reason, there is potential for synergy, or at least an additive effect, in combination with other drugs. Emerging data indicates that there are additive effects of ascorbate with other neoplastic agents”.
IMPROVING CANCER OUTCOMES WITH HIGH-DOSE IV VITAMIN C
If you are interested in finding out whether High-dose Intravenous Vitamin C can help you or a loved one fight the battle with cancer or diminish the side effects of chemotherapy, please call Renaissance Health Centre at 702-258-7860 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Pfau today.