Vitamin C: The all-rounder in infections and cancer
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, reduced) and dehydro-ascorbic acid (oxidized form) form a very important protection and redox system. Vitamin C as a water-soluble antioxidant protects lipids (lipid peroxidation), proteins, nucleic acids and cell membranes from oxidative damage.
Cancer patients, especially those with advanced disease, often have a pronounced vitamin C deficiency. Some patients even show the signs of the classic vitamin C deficiency disease scurvy: bleeding gums, tiredness, exhaustion and a disturbed immune system.
Natural vitamin C from berries or other types of fruit is recommended for general basic care. Therapeutically, however, much higher dosages are then often recommended. Vitamin C infusions are mainly used for wound healing disorders, after operations, for fatigue and physical wasting (cachexia).
There are protocols for ultra-high intravenous vitamin C administration in cancer patients using up to 150g (150,000mg).