Vitamin C
Vitamin C is known as ascorbic acid. It is a water-soluble nutrient that blocks some damage caused by food by-products over time. It isn't made or stored by your body, so it has to be part of your daily diet. Several published studies indicate that high doses of Vitamin C can successfully prevent or treat cancer. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health released results of a 2008 government study that showed high doses of injected Vitamin C prevented tumor growth in subjects with three kinds of aggressive cancer. They believe that the high amounts of ascorbic acid cause hydrogen peroxide that kills cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed.
Vitamin A
Vitamin C interacts with many other nutrients, including Vitamin A. Vitamin A is also known as retinoic acid. In another form, Vitamin A is known as beta carotene. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient that can be stored in the liver. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, Vitamin A reduced the growth of breast cancer cells in lab studies, but more live studies are needed to confirm this. The Vitamin C foundation quoted a study printed in the "Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry" showing that injections of Vitamin A along with Vitamin C killed three times more cancer cells than either Vitamins A or C alone. They believe a lack of stored Vitamin A causes an inactive retinoic acid receptor that can turn cells cancerous.
Sources of Vitamin C and Vitamin A
All vegetables and fruits contain some Vitamin C. Vegetables that have high amounts of Vitamin C include broccoli, green leafy vegetables, red or green peppers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, squash, brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage and cauliflower. Good sources in fruit are watermelon, pineapple, berries, citrus fruit, cantaloupe, papaya and mangoes. Vitamin A as beta carotene can be found in plant sources, and as retinoic acid in animal sources. Foods high in Vitamin A include carrots, liver, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, mangoes, mozzarella cheese, spinach, dried apricots, milk and egg yolks. Vitamin A and Vitamin C supplements are both available, but too much Vitamin A is toxic.
Tags: Vitamin Vitamin, cancer cells, retinoic acid, ascorbic acid, beta carotene, high amounts