We have a general understanding of cancer–one-third of cancer patients die in five years. (1) With present therapies, only slow annual improvement is expected. Vitamins have been extensively demonstrated in clinic trials. (2), (3) Vitamins can strengthen the immune system to improve regular therapies and safely kill cancer. Here we compare cancer therapy by multivitamins with radiation and most chemotherapies. The big question is: Why are we not using vitamins now?
In 1969 the National Cancer Institute showed that oxidized vitamin C (also known as dehydroascorbate or DHA) safely killed cancer cells in vitro but that glucose counteracted the DHA. (4) The late Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD, FRCP (C) started a 15-year clinical test in 1978. (3), (5), (6) He enrolled 134 patients with 30 types of advanced cancer. He prescribed a regimen high in oral vitamin C plus other vitamins and minerals (Table 1). He also prescribed a diet low in meat, very low in sugar, but high in fruits, vegetables, and water. Most of his patients had failed prior surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy as prescribed by their oncologists.
To all of his cancer patients, Hoffer offered the vitamin regimen, diet, and hope based on the results with earlier patients. Table 1: Dr. Hoffer’s Regimens (3), (6) Early Later Vitamin C mg 12,000 12,000 range 3,000-40,000 3,000-10,000 * Vitamin A, IU 10,000-50,000 * Beta carotene 30K-75K IU 30,000 IU Vitamin B complex B50 to B100 1 or 2 of B100 Vitamin D-3 5,000 IU To 19,000 IU Vitamin E 300 IU Vitamin E succinate 800 IU Selenium 600 mcg 400 to 600 mcg Zinc as citrate 60 mg 60 mg Coenzyme Q10 300 IU Curcumin 300 mg * Bioperin 15 mg * Optional Dr.
Hoffer’s results were excellent. Those who refused vitamins lived a median of only 2. 6 months. The 101 who accepted vitamins lived 45 months after seeing Hoffer (Table 2). (10), (11) Table 2: Survival of Cancer Patients After Seeing Hoffer (11) Type of Cancer With Vitamins Without Vitamins Breast 70 3. 7 Lung 17 2. 0 Ovary 16 3. 6 Pancreas 40 2. 4 Uterus 99 4. 0 All 30 types 45 months 2. 6 months The vitamin C can be taken as ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, or a mixture. Pills or powder should be taken in 3 or4 divided doses, preferably with meals.
The dose of vitamin C shouldbe built up over a week or so to minimize diarrhea and allow the body to adjust. Intravenous vitamin C, vitamin K3, and alpha-lipoic acidcould be included. (7) Dr. Hoffer used his regimen successfully for over 25 years with 1400 patients. Dr. Hoffer’s regimen is safe and helpful even during radiation andmost chemotherapies. (2), (6) (7) (8) (9) He reported: “I have no doubt that the megavitamin program has improved the quality of their life. It has given them more energy, has improved depression and anxiety, has created a sense of well being, has eased pain and has often eliminated pain entirely.
” (3) In 1971, Ewan Cameron, MB, ChB, and Linus Pauling, PhD, started clinical tests with vitamin C on terminal and hospitalized patients with many types of cancer. (2) For the first 10 days, Cameron generally gave 10 000 mg/day of sodium ascorbate by IV throughout the day. He also gave a similar amount of sodium ascorbate solution orally and continued the oral dose for years. Of the first 5 patients, the 4 with bone pain obtained major pain relief in about 10 days. Of the first 1100 patients, the 100 vitamin-treated ones lived 4. 2 times as long as the matched controls.
Many bedridden patients receiving vitamin C recovered enough to return home. Dr. Cameron has treated over 1000 cancer patients. Patients should work with a suitable health professional for safety and best results. Some researchers have treated cancer patients with too little vitamin C for too short a time. (12), (13) They did not follow Cameron’s regimen. Their claim that vitamin C is of no use for cancer therapy is not supported by their data. Table 3 compares Hoffer’s multivitamin regimen containing mostly vitamin C with chemotherapies and radiation.
The basis, action, results, side effects, and costs are summarized. Costs are less because pills are cheap, hospitalization may not be required, and doctor visits are less frequent. Table 3: Vitamins vs. Chemotherapy and Radiation for Cancer Therapy Therapy Multivitamins Most Chemotherapies and Radiation Basis Cancer cells eat mostly Cancer cells are more glucose. sensitive to oxidation than normal cells. Cancer cells have extra glucose channels. Action Vitamin C reacts with free Radiation and most radicals to form chemotherapies (C;R) dehydroascorbate, or DHA.selectively oxidize cancer cells.
DHA is similar to C;R may kill 30 cancer glucose. cells for each normal cell killed in vitro. DHA enters cancer cells When cancer cells are few, through glucose channels. C;R kill mostly normal cells. DHA changes to ascorbate and hydrogen peroxide. Normal cells are not harmed. Result Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes C;R oxidize both cancer cancer cells and kills cells and normal cells. them. Advanced patients live C;R deplete vitamin C. longer. Side Effects Less pain More pain Body strengthened Body weakened Temporary problems: Many normal cells killed.
Stomach ; Gl upset Dosages limited by damage to body Skin itch Long-term problems: Impotence, incontinence, harm to heart, nerves, bladder, genitals No long-term problems Must continue vitamin C Cancer can become after recovery resistant to C;R. Helps chemotherapy and radiation Cost Under $100 per month Many thousands of dollars Conclusion For advanced cancers of many types, multivitamins show advantages of longer life, less pain, fewer long-term problems, and lower cost. Multivitamins can aid chemotherapies and radiation or possibly replace them in some cases.
Why are we not using vitamins? Because of money and turf protection. Neither vitamin C nor multivitamins have been properly tested or approved. Doctors rarely recommend vitamin therapy for cancer for fearof being called a quacks. Multivitamins are safe and can be used now under proper medical supervision; however, a good understanding of vitamin therapy from the references is helpful for safety and best therapy. Much of this article is taken from Houston R. Understanding cancer and natural therapies.
Townsend Letter. 2008;301/302:109-112. Notes (1.) American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts ; Figures 2005. Available at: www. cancer. org . (2. ) Cameron E, Pauling L. Cancer and Vitamin C. Philadelphia, PA:Camino Books; 1993. (3. ) Hoffer A. Vitamin C and Cancer, Discovery, Recovery, Controversy. Kingston, ON: Quarry Press; 2000. (4. ) Benade L, Howard T, Burke D. Synergistic killings of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells by ascorbate and 3 amino-1, 2, 4-triazole. Oncology. 1969;23:33-43. (5. ) Hoffer A. E-mail messages to author, January 18, 2005; September 8, 2006. (6. ) Hoffer A, Pauling L.
Hardin Jones biostatistical analysis of mortality data for second set of cohorts of cancer patients. J Orthomol Med. 1993;8:157-167. (7. ) Hickey S, Roberts H. Cancer, Nutrition and Survival. 2005; Lulu Press. (8. ) Stoute JA. The use of vitamin C with chemotherapy in cancer treatment: an annotated bibliography. J Orthomol Med. 2004; 19(4): 198-245. (9. ) Lamson DW, Brignall MS. Antioxidants and cancer therapy II: quick reference guide. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(2): 152-163. (10. ) Houston R. Understanding cancer and natural therapies.
Townsend Letter. 2008;301/302:109-112. (11.) Houston R. Vitamins Can Kill Cancer. W. Conshoshocken, PA: Infinity Publishing; 2006. (12. ) Creagan ET, Moertel CG, O’Fallon JR, et al. Failure of high-dose vitamin C (ascorbic acid) therapy to benefit patients with advanced cancer. N Engl J Med. 1979;301:687-690. (13. ).
Moertel CG, Fleming TR, Creagan ET, Rubin J, O’Connell MJ, Ames MM. High-dose vitamin C versus placebo in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer who have had no prior chemotherapy. N Engl J Med. 1985;312:137-141. Note: The author, a research chemical engineer, was diagnosed 12 years ago with prostate cancer.
His PSA, a measure of the cancer, had doubled in six months–a sign of aggressive cancer. He chose hormone therapy and Hoffer-type vitamins. After one year, he stopped two hormones but continued the Proscar and vitamins. He is in excellent remission with essentially no side effects and a PSA of 0. 3. (A PSA of 4 or less is normal. )
He never had nor needed surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation of any kind. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] by Reagan Houston, MS, PE Reagan Houston, MS, PE h@cancertherapies. org 600 Carolina Village Road #165 Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792 828-692-3722.