Does vitamin C supplementation have an anti-cancer effect? ​​Experts have reached a consensus, but what are the results?

Most people know that supplementing with vitamin C has benefits, such as anti-oxidation, preventing and treating scurvy, treating anemia, maintaining immune function, etc. Recently, a new function has been added, which is anti-cancer.

This is not a rumor, because Huazi saw an article that introduced the "Expert Consensus on High-dose Vitamin C Treatment for Tumors (2024)" issued by my country. It mentioned that high-dose vitamin C treatment is a broad-spectrum anti-tumor method that can be used as an auxiliary treatment for patients with advanced tumors.

1. Indispensable Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant that can prevent and treat scurvy, so it is also called "ascorbic acid". Vitamin C is involved in the absorption of iron and sugar, the synthesis of fat and protein, and the synthesis of various amino acids and folic acid, which can maintain the normal function of the immune system and the integrity of blood vessels.

Vitamin C is very important to the human body, but the human body cannot synthesize it on its own, nor can it store it for a long time . It can only be met by continuous intake. However, the human body's daily requirement for vitamin C is not high (about 100 mg is enough), and most foods contain vitamin C (fresh vegetables and fruits contain more), so people who can eat normally usually will not lack it .

2. Controversy over Vitamin C’s Anti-Cancer Effect

In the last century, Scottish doctor Cameron and two-time Nobel Prize winner Pauling also conducted research on vitamin C's anti-cancer effect, and the results showed that the use of vitamin C treatment can significantly increase the survival time of patients with advanced cancer. However, in subsequent clinical trials, the Mayo Clinic did not obtain the positive effect of vitamin C on cancer, so "vitamin C anti-cancer" was considered ineffective.

However, later studies have found that the route of administration has a huge impact on the anti-cancer effect of vitamin C. The Mayo Clinic used oral administration, and the plasma concentration of vitamin C was very low, while Cameron and Pauling used intravenous administration, and the plasma concentration of vitamin C could reach more than 25 times that of oral administration.

3. Only intravenous injection can fight cancer

In November 2024, a randomized controlled clinical trial published in Redox Biology showed that intravenous injection of high-dose vitamin C (75g three times a week) combined with chemotherapy drugs can double the survival of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

The Expert Consensus believes that intravenous injection of large doses of vitamin C (single dose 75-100g, or 1.5-22g/kg) can benefit patients , and the treatment should follow the principle of " sufficient dose and long course of treatment ". In addition, vitamin C is relatively safe and can be used in combination with other treatment methods.

4. Don’t take vitamin C on your own

It should be noted that vitamin C can be used to treat cancer patients, but it has not been proven to have a role in preventing cancer . Moreover, oral vitamin C does not reach an effective concentration, does not inhibit tumors, and may even promote tumor growth.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that can be excreted through the kidneys when taken in moderate amounts. The human body usually tolerates about 1g per day. When the oral dose exceeds 2g , it may cause osmotic diarrhea and dehydration. Long-term overdose may also induce ulcers, stones, gout and other diseases.

Therefore, high-dose vitamin C treatment is only recommended for patients with advanced cancer under the guidance of a doctor, and after weighing the pros and cons, through intravenous injection. Blindly supplementing vitamin C on your own is not recommended.

To sum up, large doses of vitamin C have anti-cancer effects, but it is currently only used to treat patients with advanced cancer, and it needs to be administered through intravenous injection to be effective. It is not recommended for ordinary people to take large doses of vitamin C on their own.

Drugs must be used under the guidance of a doctor. If you have any questions about medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. I am pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.