Oral AA is absorbed through the intestinal lumen in an energy and dose-dependent process. At Vitamin C doses over 2g orally, less than 20% is absorbed. The result is a large quantity of Vitamin C in the intestinal tract, which brings water with it leading to Osmotic effects in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to gastrointestinal upsets and diarrhea. Recent research has shown that high doses of vitamin C (25g-100g )have significant cytotoxic effects. These doses can only be achieved by intravenous administration.

The Mechanism of Action of Vitamin C in Cancer

Vitamin C is an essential extracellular anti-oxidant and plays a role in a host of biochemical reactions in the body. Vitamin C has been validated as supportive therapy in case studies, Preclinical trials and cancer cell research. These studies show that vitamin C acts in the following ways: Selective Cytotoxicity (cancer cell killing) Effect – vitamin c in high doses leads to the production of large amounts of hydrogen peroxide in the connective tissue of the body. Hydrogen peroxide is an essential oxidative molecule involved in many immune reactions in the body. In healthy cells, the hydrogen peroxide is absorbed and then quenched with intra-cellular anti-oxidants. Still, cancer cells often lack sufficient levels of anti-oxidants, so that hydrogen peroxide will build up. As levels of hydrogen peroxide rise in cancer cells, they eventually go through apoptosis (programmed cell death).

• Selective Cytotoxicity (cancer cell killing) Effect – vitamin c in high doses, vitamin C produces large amounts of hydrogen peroxide in the body’s connective tissue. Hydrogen peroxide is an essential oxidative molecule involved in many immune reactions in the body. In healthy cells, the hydrogen peroxide is absorbed and then quenched with intra-cellular anti-oxidants. Still, cancer cells often lack sufficient levels of anti-oxidants, so that hydrogen peroxide will build up. As levels of hydrogen peroxide rise in cancer cells, they eventually go through apoptosis (programmed cell death). Inhibition of Tumor Growth and Metastasis – most tumours require the activity of various enzymes to invade and metastasize. Ascorbic Acid inhibits the activity of these enzymes and promotes the production of collagen, which may play a role in stabilizing the tumour and preventing local tissue invasion.