Depletion of Iron From Tumor Cells Prior To Vitamin C Therapy Quells Cancer

It is widely known that mega-dose vitamin C transiently produces hydrogen peroxide, an oxidant, to selectively kill cancer cells.  In the late 1970s Linus Pauling and Ewan Cameron were first to report of success utilizing intravenous vitamin C to produce 1-year survival among 22 percent of otherwise hopeless cancer patients (chemotherapy at the time was far less effective).  Subsequent studies concluded oral vitamin C could not possibly reach adequate blood concentrations of vitamin C to produce hydrogen peroxide (cancer cell killing effect) even though the data from that study ran contrary to the conclusions drawn.  [Knowledge of Health 2016]

Thereafter Steve Hickey and Hilary Roberts posited a dynamic flow theory of ascorbate (vitamin C) therapy that addressed the fact vitamin C is rapidly excreted and its oral absorption is drastically reduced when consumed in mega-doses.  Therefore, Hickey and Roberts posed intermittent oral administration of vitamin C to maintain high blood levels sufficient to exert a cell killing (cytotoxic) effect in cancer cells. [Journal Orthomolecular Medicine Vol. 20, 2005]  Liposomal vitamin C further increases vitamin C delivery inside cells to potentially effect a cure. Curing the Incurable: ... Levy, MD JD Thomas E Best Price: $22.60 Buy New $18.89 (as of 08:55 UTC - Details)

These revelations have led to a renaissance in the use of vitamin C for cancer.  [Knowledge of Health, 2016]

Now another breakthrough in the scientific understanding of vitamin C therapy for cancer is being reported.  Researchers in Japan report extracellular iron (outside cancer cells) decomposes hydrogen peroxide generated by vitamin C.  The inhibition of cancer cell growth via vitamin C (hydrogen peroxide) is completely blocked by the presence of iron.  [Scientific Reports 2018] This was demonstrated in leukemia cells (cancer of the blood) in a lab dish.  Given that most of the iron stored in the body is bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells, it is understandable why iron plays such an important role in leukemia.

The anti-cancer effect of vitamin C is completely abolished by iron.  Iron serves as a growth factor for tumor cells.

With this new understanding, researchers employed iron-binding molecules prior to vitamin C treatment with demonstrable anti-cancer effects.  An iron-chelating (key-lay-ting) drug, or donation of blood to reduce iron load, or a low iron diet (in humans, avoidance of red meat) increased the cell-killing effect of vitamin C.

A reduction of iron combined with vitamin C infusions worked synergistically (more than additively) to the point where detection and invasion by tumor cells was completely eliminated. Iron storage (ferritin) was dramatically reduced by the above measures and then vitamin C-activated hydrogen peroxide killed off cancer cells readily.  Researchers conclude this approach produces a “novel anti-leukemic effect.” [Scientific Reports 2018] Optimal Nutrition for ... Thomas E. Levy Best Price: $8.03 Buy New $15.40 (as of 09:05 UTC - Details)

The idea of utilizing a natural iron chelator, such as IP6 (phytic acid or phytate) derived from rice bran, prior to oral vitamin C therapy now needs to be put to the test.  The comparative iron chelating properties of various natural iron chelators is presented in the chart below.  It reveals IP6 as a superior iron chelator even over EDTA which is often employed by clinicians who perform chelation therapy.

The prospect of home cancer therapy looms as neither IP6 rice bran extract nor vitamin C are toxic or induce acute side effects.  A regimen of IP6 (up to 1600 mg is orally absorbed) followed by a vitamin C chaser is proposed.

The advantage of home vitamin C therapy is that intravenous vitamin C infusions cannot practically or economically be administered on a daily basis at doctor’s offices.  Cancer rages unchecked in between chemotherapy or even intravenous vitamin C infusions.  Daily oral iron chelation with IP6 rice bran followed by oral vitamin C therapy (3000 mg vitamin C as ascorbic acid four times a day), or as an alternative, liposomal vitamin C, may prove to be a safe and novel way of introducing self-care to cancer therapy.  Be aware, home-made mixtures of lecithin + vitamin C produce emulsified ascorbate but not the microscopic lipid bi-layered delivery system defined as a liposome. [Whole Foods Magazine Aug. 2018]