A recent research by scientists from New Zealand published in this month’s edition of Cancer Research journal revealed that vitamin C can be helpful in curbing the growth of cancer cells. The scientists claim that it’s the first time that evidence beyond doubt has been shown regarding the connection of vitamin C and development of cancer.
According to Margreet Vissers, an Associate Professor at the University of Otago and also a member of the university’s Free Radical Research Group, the results are promising and can be quite helpful in the fighting cancer at both the stages of prevention and cure.
Vissers’ previous studies too had explained vitamin C’s importance in maintenance of cell health and also pointed at its capability to limit diseases like cancer. However, her latest study involved checking the vitamin C levels in patients suffering from endometrial tumors. The study revealed that tumors did not accumulate as much vitamin C as the normal healthy tissues. This related to the tumor’s ability to survive and grow.
The tumors which had low levels of vitamin C had HIF-1 protein in higher quantity and this allowed them flourish in stress conditions. These findings showed a direct relation between the tumor’s vitamin C levels and HIF-1 suggesting that taking vitamin C in higher quantities can be beneficial for individuals with cancer cells.
These revelations could help in limiting the tumor’s growth rate, may prevent solid tumor formation and can also increase the sensitivity towards chemotherapy.
Vitamin C’s role in the treatment of cancer has been debated for years with many unreliable explanations of its beneficial role. But these studies prove the effectiveness of vitamin C in fighting cancer cells.
There are vast sources for vitamin C thus making it easier to utilize it for cancer prevention. Some of the sources include Indian gooseberries, lemons, oranges, raspberries, green and red peppers, kiwis, grapefruits, strawberries, asparagus, broccoli, garlic, onions, pears and tangerines.
Source:
Cancer Research journal
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by on 26. Jul, 2010 in Health News
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