Vitamin C, Cancer, and Kidney Stones, Part II
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Unlike most mammals and other animals, humans do not have the ability to make their own vitamin C. Therefore, we must obtain vitamin C through our diet.
Function
Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen, an important structural component of blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bone. Vitamin C also plays an important role in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are critical to brain function and are known to affect mood. In addition, vitamin C is required for the synthesis of carnitine, a small molecule that is essential for the transport of fat into cellular organelles called mitochondria, where the fat is converted to energy (1). Research also suggests that vitamin C is involved in the metabolism of cholesterol to bile acids, which may have implications for blood cholesterol levels and the incidence of gallstones (2).
Read more…
Categories: Cancer, Kidney Stones Tags: antioxidant, cancer, immune system, kidney stones, linus pauling institute, natural vitamin C, supplements, sweet red pepper, vitamin C, vitamin c supplementation
Vitamin C, Cancer, and Kidney Stones
Controversy over Vitamin C Supplements
Many of the health institution in the world, including The Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer, took a stand against use of vitamin C supplements to meet it’s recommendations.
I think that scientists who take this position have one of two reasons. One is a very good one. But the other, in my opinion, is not so good.
The studies that tie vitamin C to cancer prevention usually link foods containing vitamin C rather than the vitamin itself to reduce risk of cancer. There is always the possibility that it is something else in these foods, rather than the vitamin C, that is protecting our health. If this is the case, people who take a vitamin C pill rather than eat vitamin C-containing foods will miss the unknown protective substance. Personally, I think that it is probably the vitamin C itself that is protective, though I also believe that other substance in these same foods may have anti-cancer ability.
Categories: Cancer Tags: cancer, enzyme G6PD, G6PD deficiency, kidney stones, natural vitamin C, niacin, vitamin B-12, vitamin C, vitamin C supplements