Coronary Bypass

Hospitals rarely employ vitamin C supplementation, despite the possible significant advantages of doing so and despite the frequently low-vitamin C status of hospitalized patients. To illustrate the apparent need for vitamin C supplementation in the hospital, let’s look at a study analyzing the vitamin C status of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass. In this study, the plasma concentration of vitamin C plummeted by 70 percent 24 hours after coronary artery bypass surgery and persisted in most patients up to 2 weeks after surgery.25 In contrast, vitamin E and carotenoid levels.

did not change to any significant degree, presumably because they are fat-soluble and therefore the body retains them for longer periods of time. Given the importance of vitamin C the serious depletion of vitamin C may deteriorate defense mechanisms against free radicals, infection, and wound repair in these patients supplementation appears to be essential in patients recovering from heart surgery, or any surgery for that matter.

Cancer Prevention

Vitamin C performs many functions that may offer protection against cancer, including acting as an antioxidant and protecting cellular structures (including DNA) from damage. Vitamin C also helps the body deal with environmental pollution and toxic chemicals, enhance immune function, and inhibit the formation of cancer-causing compounds in the body.

The epidemiological evidence of a protective effect of vitamin C against cancer is undeniable. A high vitamin C intake reduces the risk for virtually all forms of cancer, including cancers of the lung, colon, breast, cervix, esophagus, oral cavity, and pancreas. The bottom line from all of the research is once again that Americans need to increase the consumption of foods high in vitamin C and possibly supplement with vitamin C for added protection. While most of this evidence is based upon a high vitamin C intake from foods also rich in carotenes and other protective nutrients against cancer, a few of the studies also looked at supplementation. Let’s examine the evidence in some of these cancers in closer detail.

Lung Cancer

Of the 11 investigations into the role of vitamin C against lung cancer, 9 found reduced risk with high intake of Vitamin C. In five of these studies, the results were quite significant and in four of these five studies the protection offered by vitamin C was greater than that provided by beta-carotene in several of the studies. Gladys Block, one of America’s foremost authorities on the role of antioxidant intake and cancer risk, has stated that “Whereas a large body of evidence suggests an important effect for carotenoids in lung cancer prevention, the recent data suggests that there may be an independent protective effect of vitamin C intake.”

Stomach, Esophageal, and Oral Cancers

Seven of eight oral cancer studies found low vitamin C intake to be a major risk factor. Persons with the lowest vitamin C intake had a twofold increase in oral cancer compared to persons with the highest vitamin C intake. Similar results were seen in esophageal cancer. In stomach cancer, all 16 investigations in stomach cancer showed a substantial reduction in risk with high vitamin C intake. Stomach cancer is linked to excessive formation of cancer-causing compounds known as nitrosamines within the stomach. Nitrosamines are formed most of the time by ingesting nitrates and nitrites used in the production of cured meats (e.g., bacon). Vitamin C significantly inhibits the formation of nitrosamines.

Breast Cancer

A meta-analysis of the role of dietary factors in breast cancer concluded “Vitamin C intake had the most consistent and statistically significant inverse association with breast cancer risk. The level of vitamin C was more important than the intake of saturated fat, beta-carotene, and vitamin E.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer risk is increased dramatically with low vitamin C intake. Women with intakes less than 88 milligrams have a fourfold increase compared with women with higher intakes. Women with cervical dysplasia (a precancerous condition) and carcinoma in situ show a significant decrease in vitamin C intake and blood levels compared with women with normal cervixes. Inadequate vitamin C intake is an independent risk factor for the development of cervical dysplasia and carcinoma in situ.

Pancreatic Cancer

High vitamin C intake reduces the risk for pancreatic cancer in six out of seven studies. The risk for pancreatic cancer in someone consuming less than 70 milligrams of vitamin C per day is 2.6 times greater than for someone consuming 159 milligrams per day.

Colon Cancer

Six out of eight studies show a high intake of vitamin C reduces the risk for colon cancer. Low vitamin C intake carries with it almost a twofold increase in risk for colon cancer.26-27 In a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute, vitamin C reduced the formation of cancer-causing chemicals by bacteria in the colon.

Author Bio: Georgiy Kharchenko American Weight Loss Group LLC: Personal Trainer, Ephedra Products, Stimerex With Ephedra, lipodrene with ephedra

Category: Medicines and Remedies
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