Call for research into vitamin C treatment

VITAMIN C could be the key to the ridding of cancer and other illnesses.

Positive overseas research has prompted discussion in New Zealand to fasttrack clinical use of the supplement in the hope it will help save lives.

Use of highdose vitamin C infusions in intensive care units abroad has led to lower death rates, shorter stays in intensive care and, most importantly, flushing out infections and cancers, University of Otago researcher Prof Margreet Vissers said.

When a person is sick the body uses up more vitamin C than when they are well.

If vitamin C intake is not increased through diet, then the body becomes exhausted and vulnerable to further sickness, Prof Vissers said.

‘‘If we don’t compensate for that turnover, then our bodies run out.’’

She said it remained a ‘‘controversial’’ issue due to a lack of solid evidence and further research was needed in New Zealand before it was introduced in hospitals.

‘‘For a while now there has been little reliable information available for patients and doctors due to an absence of good clinical studies. But that is now changing.’’

A clinical trial in Christchurch, led by Prof Vissers and Associate Prof Anitra Carr, initiated local research about a year ago and was already showing promising results.

‘‘We are still recruiting people and

it’s still in the early stages, but we hope it will give us a better understanding of how vitamin C impacts cancer and infectious diseases such as pneumonia and sepsis,’’ Prof Vissers said.

She stressed topping up vitamin C levels did not have lifechanging benefits for everyone.

The clinical trial would enable doctors to give informed advice to patients regarding the value of vitamin C for cancer, she said.

‘‘At this time, patients should consult carefully with their doctors for any plans around their treatment options.’’

Top oncologist and medical director of Cancer Society New Zealand Chris Jackson said he supported further research into vitamin C possibly shrinking cancer and prolonging life because it was lacking at present.

‘‘There hasn’t yet been a random ised clinical trial to clearly show this impact on cancer,’’ Mr Jackson said.

For some cancers, it is suggested that vitamin C is possibly helpful and other studies have shown it can be harmful — there have been patients who developed kidney problems as a result, Mr Jackson said.

‘‘We know that many of our patients use alternative therapies alongside their medical treatment and that’s an important part of their treatment — oncologists support this use but always want them to disclose and discuss.’’

International experts on the topic are gathering in Auckland today for a twoday symposium to discuss the latest research.

Health Minister David Clark was unable to attend.

Prof Vissers said she would meet Dr Clark next month to discuss this research.

Leading US critical care physician and researcher Michael Hooper, who will be speaking today, said trials he had undertaken on a small number of severely infected patients had a significant improvement in survival with vitamin C.

‘‘With minimal to no toxicity, the use of vitamin C for severe infections could well revolutionise the care of severely infected patients worldwide.

‘‘Large trials are now under way which will settle the debate over whether or not severely infected patients should be treated with intravenous vitamin C as standard care,’’ Dr Hooper said. — NZME