• Background
• Related terms
• Evidence
• Dosing
• Safety
• Methodology
• Selected references

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Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) Scurvy is caused by a dietary deficiency of vitamin C. Although scurvy is uncommon, it may occur in malnourished individuals, those with increased vitamin C requirements (such as pregnant or breastfeeding women), or infants whose only source of nourishment is breast milk. Vitamin C administered by mouth or injection is effective for curing scurvy. If vitamin C is not available, orange juice can be used for infantile scurvy. Symptoms should begin to improve within 24-48 hours, with resolution within seven days. Treatment should be under strict medical supervision.	A
Common cold prevention (extreme environments) Scientific studies generally suggest that vitamin C does not prevent the onset of cold symptoms. However, in a subset of studies of people living in extreme climates or under extraordinary conditions, including soldiers in subarctic exercises, skiers, and marathon runners, vitamin C significantly reduced the risk of developing colds, by approximately 50%. This area merits more research and may be of particular interest to elite athletes or military personnel.	B
Iron absorption enhancement Based on scientific research, vitamin C appears to improve oral absorption of iron. Concurrent vitamin C may aid in the absorption of iron dietary supplements.	B
Urinary tract infection (during pregnancy) Vitamin C may decrease the risk of developing urinary tract infections during pregnancy. Further research is needed to confirm this finding.	B
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) There is a lack of evidence showing the beneficial effects of vitamin C alone in the treatment of AMD. Further research is needed in this area.	C
Alzheimer's disease There is limited research on the effects of vitamin C alone on the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Anemia Vitamin C may enhance the absorption of dietary iron, but additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) Consumption of vitamin C may reduce the risk of cartilage loss and disease progression in individuals with osteoarthritis. However, more well-designed clinical trials are needed to determine if vitamin C is beneficial for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.	C
Asthma It has been suggested that low levels of vitamin C (or other antioxidants) may increase the risk of developing asthma. The use of vitamin C for the treatment of asthma (particularly exercise-induced asthma) has been studied since the 1980s, although the evidence in this area remains inconclusive. More research is needed before a clear conclusion can be drawn.	C
Autism Ascorbic acid may decrease the severity of symptoms in children with autism. More trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Bleeding stomach ulcers caused by aspirin Early evidence suggests that vitamin C may help aspirin-induced gastric damage. More research is needed before a clear conclusion can be drawn.	C
Breast cancer (prevention) Some studies have examined a link between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and the prevention of breast cancer. However, the exact role of vitamin C is unclear. Additional studies are needed.	C
Burns Ascorbic acid administration to patients with severe burns significantly reduced resuscitation fluid volume requirements, body weight gain, and wound edema. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Cancer prevention Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C has been associated with a reduced risk of various types of cancer in population studies (particularly cancers of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, colon, or lung). However, it is not clear that the benefit came specifically from the vitamin C in these foods, and vitamin C supplements have not been found to be associated with this protective effect. Experts have recommended increasing dietary consumption of fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C, such as asparagus; berries; broccoli; cabbage; melon (cantaloupe; honeydew; watermelon); cauliflower; citrus fruits (lemons; oranges); fortified breads, grains, and cereal; kale; kiwi; potatoes; spinach; and tomatoes.	C
Cancer treatment Vitamin C has a long history of use as an adjunct in cancer therapy, and although there has not been any definite evidence of a benefit from injected or oral vitamin C, there is evidence that there is benefit in some cases. More well-designed studies are needed before a firm recommendation can be made.	C
Chemotherapy (adjunct) Vitamin C did not demonstrate a significant advantage over placebo as an adjunct to chemotherapy, as measured by an increase in survival or by tumor response. Additional studies are needed in this area.	C
Chronic diseases (mortality prevention) Vitamin C in high doses may have beneficial effects on acute inflammation and blood vessel functioning. However, the exact role of vitamin C in chronic diseases is unclear, and more high-quality human studies are needed.	C
Chronic venous insufficiency The role of vitamin C alone in chronic venous insufficiency cannot be determined with the available evidence. Additional studies are needed.	C
Colorectal cancer Vitamin C has not been shown to decrease total cancer incidence or cancer mortality. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Complex regional pain syndrome Clinical research suggests that vitamin C may prevent complex regional pain syndrome among elderly female patients with wrist fracture. Additional studies suggest that vitamin C may help to reduce pain associated with this syndrome.	C
Cystic fibrosis The role of vitamin C in patients with cystic fibrosis is currently unclear. Additional research is needed in this area.	C
Diabetic retinopathy A review included four studies of the relationship between vitamin C alone and diabetic neuropathy. However, there was a lack of studies that administered vitamin C to determine if it had any effects on symptoms associated with this condition. Well-designed trials are needed.	C
Endometrial cancer (prevention) Based on studies included in a review, the effects of vitamin C supplementation on the prevention of endometrial cancer are mixed. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a rare inherited disease characterized by dermal photosensitivity due to the accumulation of photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX. More research is needed to determine if vitamin C is beneficial for this condition.	C
Exercise recovery Vitamin C may prevent endurance exercise-induced oxidative damage to fat and muscle tissue in healthy people. More research is needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Gallbladder disease Vitamin C supplementation and increased vitamin C serum levels may decrease the risk of developing gallbladder disease in women. Well-designed trials are needed.	C
Heart conditions (heart protection during chemotherapy) There is currently a lack of studies that have examined the effects of vitamin C alone for heart-protective effects in patients receiving chemotherapy. Additional studies are needed.	C
Helicobacter pylori infection Adding vitamin C to triple therapy with omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin for Helicobacter pylori gastric ulcer treatment may allow the dose of clarithromycin to be lower. Further research is needed to confirm this result.	C
High blood pressure Dietary restriction of vitamin C may be associated with increases in both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Vitamin C supplementation has been shown to decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Further research is needed in this area.	C
High cholesterol According to studies in humans, vitamin C supplementation may have beneficial effects in patients with high cholesterol. More research is needed in this area.	C
HIV (transmission) According to secondary sources, supplementation of mothers with HIV disease with vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E may reduce child mortality and HIV transmission through breast milk. Well-designed studies are needed.	C
Ischemic heart disease Due to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C has been used in patients with ischemic heart disease. Early data suggest that vitamin C may have a benefit on blood flow in the heart, but more research is needed to confirm this finding.	C
Kidney disease (contrast-induced nephropathy prevention) Vitamin C before and after coronary angiography may reduce the risk of developing contrast-mediated kidney disease. According to a trial included in a systematic review, a significant reduction in contrast-mediated kidney disease was observed. Additional trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Lead toxicity Consuming vitamin C from dietary sources may lower blood concentrations of lead. Additional studies are needed.	C
Liver disease Administration of vitamin C in individuals with cirrhosis may have some benefit. However, in patients with chronic hepatitis C, vitamin C was not effective. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Lung disease An oxidant-antioxidant balance may play a role in maintaining proper lung function. Limited studies have examined the role of vitamin C alone for lung diseases. Additional well-designed trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Metabolic abnormalities Alkaptonuria is a disorder characterized by the absence of the enzyme homogentisic acid oxidase, which causes homogentisic acid to collect in the blood and urine. Limited research reports that daily high-dose vitamin C may provide relief of symptoms and slow progression of complications of this disorder. More research is merited in this area. Oral or intramuscular vitamin C may improve tyrosinemia (genetic tyrosine metabolism disorder resulting in liver, kidney, and brain disorders) in premature infants on high-protein diets. Well-designed trials are needed in this area before a conclusion can be made.	C
Nitrate tolerance Oral vitamin C may prevent the development of nitrate tolerance in patients taking sublingual (under the tongue) nitroglycerin. Furthermore, short-term vitamin C may prevent attenuation of tolerance to the blood vessel widening effects of nitrate. Well-designed trials are needed in this area before a conclusion can be made.	C
Nutritional support (premature infants) Benefits or harmful effects of ascorbic acid supplementation throughout the first 28 days of life were not found in one study. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Parkinson's disease Intake of vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids may not be beneficial for symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. The effects of vitamin C alone cannot be determined from these studies. More studies are needed.	C
Physical work capacity Population-based research suggests that higher dietary intake of vitamin C may be associated with improved physical performance and muscle strength in the elderly. Well-designed trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Plaque/ calculus on teeth In early studies, reduced amounts of calculus, visible plaque, and bleeding gum sites were observed after the use of vitamin C chewing gum. Further research is needed to confirm these results.	C
Pneumonia (prevention) Vitamin C may play a role in the prevention of pneumonia. However, further research is needed to confirm available study results.	C
Pregnancy There is not enough evidence to conclude if vitamin C supplementation alone or combined with other supplements is beneficial during pregnancy. Preterm birth may increase with vitamin C supplementation. Some study results show that daily supplementation can effectively lessen the incidence of premature rupture of chorioamniotic membranes (PROM). A gynecologist and pharmacist should be consulted before taking any herbs or supplements during pregnancy.	C
Pressure ulcers Vitamin C supplementation may be effective for reducing pressure sore areas. However, the results of the available studies in humans are conflicting.	C
Prostate cancer Vitamin C has been used in prostate cancer treatment. The current evidence is mixed, and it is unclear whether vitamin C is beneficial for individuals with prostate cancer.	C
Proteinuria (albuminuria) Vitamin C plus vitamin E may reduce the excretion of albumin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Further research is needed in this area.	C
Skin aging (wrinkles) Topical preparations containing 3-10% vitamin C may improve the appearance of wrinkled skin, as evidenced by improved fine and coarse wrinkling, yellowing and sallowness, roughness, and skin tone. Well-designed trials are needed in this area before a conclusion can be made.	C
Skin conditions (erythema) A water-based formulation of vitamin C used on the skin may decrease skin irritation following laser treatments for scar and wrinkle removal. Well-designed studies are needed.	C
Skin damage caused by the sun (UVA-induced) Vitamin C and vitamin E applied to the skin may not prevent UVA-induced skin damage (suntan). Further research is needed to confirm this finding.	C
Skin pigmentation disorders (perifollicular pigmentation) Limited evidence suggests a role for vitamin C in perifollicular pigmentation, which is increased color pigment near the hair follicle. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.	C
Stroke prevention There are variable results of studies that have measured the association of vitamin C intake and the risk of stroke. Some studies have reported no benefits, while others report that daily low-dose vitamin C may reduce the risk of death from stroke. More research is merited in this area. Individuals at risk of having a stroke should speak with their healthcare providers about the role of vitamin C supplements in stroke prevention.	C
Tetanus Tetanus is a severe infection that may be prevented by vaccination. In developing countries, vaccination coverage is not always high, and in developed countries, cases may still occur, particularly in elderly people, owing to their reduced immune system functioning. It has been estimated that there are about one million cases of tetanus per year globally. Vitamin C may prevent mortality from tetanus infection. However more high-quality human studies are needed.	C
Type 2 diabetes The effects of vitamin C in patients with diabetes are mixed. Additional studies are needed.	C
Vaginitis Preliminary human research shows that vitamin C vaginal tablets given once daily may help patients suffering from nonspecific vaginitis. Further research is needed to confirm this finding.	C
Cataracts (prevention/progression) Although early population research suggested a reduction in cataract formation among individuals taking vitamin C for at least 10 years, subsequent research found no reduction in the seven-year risk of age-related cataract formation or progression with the use of daily vitamin C.	D
Common cold prevention (general) More than 30 clinical trials including more than 10,000 participants have examined the effects of taking daily vitamin C on cold prevention. Overall, a significant reduction in the risk of developing colds has not been observed. In people who developed colds while taking vitamin C, no difference in the severity of symptoms has been seen overall, although a small, significant reduction in the duration of colds has been reported (approximately 10% in adults and 15% in children). Laboratory experiments in which volunteers were infected with respiratory viruses while taking vitamin C have yielded conflicting results, but overall, they reported small or no significant differences in symptom severity following infection. Notably, some studies in people living in extreme circumstances, including soldiers in subarctic exercises, skiers, and marathon runners, have reported a significant reduction in the risk of developing a cold, by approximately 50%. This area merits additional research and may be of particular interest to elite athletes or military personnel.	D
Common cold treatment Numerous studies have examined the effects of starting vitamin C after the onset of cold symptoms. Overall, no significant benefits have been observed. Initial evidence from one study reported possible benefits with high doses of vitamin C taken at the onset of symptoms, but without additional evidence, this remains indeterminate. At this time, the scientific evidence does not support this use of vitamin C.	D
Heart disease prevention Vitamin C does not appear to lower cholesterol levels or reduce the risk of heart attacks. Its effects on cholesterol plaques in heart arteries (atherosclerosis) remain unclear, and some studies have suggested possible beneficial vasodilation (artery-opening) properties. Based on the current scientific evidence, vitamin C is generally not recommended for this use. People at risk of heart attacks should speak with their healthcare providers to consider preventive measures such as aspirin.	D

Key to grades
A Strong scientific evidence for this use
B Good scientific evidence for this use
C Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work)
F Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work)

Grading rationale

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Acne, aging, anti-inflammatory, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, bedsores, blood disorders (idiopathic methemoglobinemia, hematuria), blood vessel disorders (capillary fragility), bronchitis, bursitis, cervical dysplasia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), cognitive function, connective tissue disorders (collagen disorders), constipation, cystitis, dementia, dental conditions (discoloration of tooth enamel, dental cavities, pyorrhea), depression, dermatitis, detoxification (histamine), drug withdrawal, dysentery, endurance, eye disorders (glaucoma), fatigue, fractures, furunculosis (recurrent boils), gastric ulcer, gout, gum disease, hay fever, hemorrhage (retinal), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, immune disorders (Chediak-Higashi syndrome, immune stimulation), infertility, influenza (swine), jellyfish stings, Lyme disease, melasma, menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding), muscle soreness, pain (back pain, fractures), prostatitis, sickle cell disease, stomach ulcers, stress, thrombosis (vascular), toxicity (levodopa, interferon, aspirin, arsenic, mercury elimination), tuberculosis, urine acidification, viral infections, wound healing.



Cancérologie

Partenaires

Publicité

2009-02-12

Actualité médicale

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Tags: Vitamine -  cancer -  denouement -  vielle - 

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Vitamine C et cancer : le dénouement d'une vielle histoire ?

Peut-être, l’ouverture vers le développement d’une toute nouvelle classe de médicaments potentiels.

Publicité

La vitamine C (acide ascorbique, AA) a été considérée pendant de longues années comme un simple complément alimentaire. Ceci vient des personnes carencées en AA, atteintes de scorbut. Le mécanisme proposé étant le pouvoir antioxydant de cette molécule. Un des premiers à avoir proposé un autre rôle à l'AA est Linus Pauling, le Prix Nobel 1954. Il a suggéré des vertus anti-cancéreuses à l'AA et a suggéré une administration à doses élevées (2g/jour) quotidienne. Des essais, aussi bien chez l'animal que chez l'homme ont donné des résultats contradictoires.

L'équipe de Michel Fontés vient de montrer (PloS ONE du 6 Février) que l'AA a bien des propriétés anti-prolifératives donc anti-cancéreuses, mais que pour être efficace en tant que médicament, elle devait être injectée à haute dose. Ces travaux reposent sur une analyse de l'impact du traitement de l'AA sur l'expression des gènes humains, montrant que ce traitement inhibe l'expression de gènes impliqués dans la prolifération des cellules. De plus, cette équipe a montré, sur un modèle animal de cancer, qu'un traitement par injection augmentait fortement la survie des souris, réduisait la croissance de la tumeur et inhibait la formation de métastases. Ces travaux font suite à la découverte des propriétés thérapeutiques pour une maladie rare, la maladie de Charcot-Marie-Tooth, qui a conduit à une publication dans Nature Médicine, la prise d'un brevet par l'Université de la Méditerranée et aux premiers essais cliniques au monde.

Cette découverte ouvre la porte à des essais cliniques pour cette molécule. De plus, le mécanisme d'action ayant été dévoilé, le développement de toute une nouvelle classe de médicaments potentiels, fondés sur cette nouvelle propriété, va pouvoir être rapidement envisagé.



Autisme Maladies auto-immunes & Infections froides

autisme , infections chroniques , borreliose ,maladie de lyme



Autisme Maladies auto-immunes & Infections froides Dr Marc Michael Bransten  166 Avenue Henri Barbusse  Drancy 93700  tel 018950777    Association Internationale pour les recherches médicales  6 Avenue Mac Mahon  75017 Paris  tel 0145045642 sur R.D.V. les candidose chroniques sont synonymes d'infections froides ,elles se devellopent souvent comme cofacteur infectieux presents en cas d'infection , de cancer ou d'hyperacidose gastrique ou générale. Le terrain sur lesquelles ces levures se devellopent est un terrain d'acidité ou pathologique particulier. Dans le cadre de certains rhumatismes et lors de la prise de certains traitements , cette acidité est considérablement aggravée. Il éxiste divers traitements qui reposent sur un meilleur équilibre acide et une pprise en charge par des médicaments spécifiques ainsi que la restauration de la flore intestinale par des probiotiques et souvent l'usage d'huiles essentielles. Dans le cadre de la maladie de lyme, ou des borrélioses chroniques , il est fréquemment retrouvé cette contamination par des levures (micro champignons) qui aggravent la situation clinique des patients.  

Dr Marc Michael Bransten
 166 Avenue Henri Barbusse
 Drancy 93700
 tel 018950777
 
 Association Internationale pour les recherches médicales
 6 Avenue Mac Mahon
 75017 Paris
 tel 0145045642

sur R.D.V.





Actualités


 
 POUR ACCEDER AU INFOS DE NOTRE SITE IL FAUT DISPOSER D'UN PC  éQUIPé DE FLASHPLAYER
 
 19 mai 2012
 International Meeting for Autism Research
 On l'appelle hormone de l'amour, du bien-être ou parfois de la confiance. Et les résultats préliminaires de cette étude à grande échelle menée par la Yale School of Medicine montrent que cette hormone, l’ocytocine, une substance produite naturellement dans le cerveau et dans tout le corps, contribue à améliorer la fonction cérébrale dans les régions clés qui traitent la communication sociale chez les enfants et les adolescents, atteints de troubles du spectre autistique (TSA). Ces conclusions présentées le 19 mai à l’International Meeting for Autism Research ouvrent un espoir de nouveau traitement, en combinaison avec d'autres thérapies, pour les enfants atteints. Le Pr Kevin Pelphrey, professeur agrégé de psychiatrie pédiatrique et l’étudiant postdoctoral Ilanit Gordon résument leur conclusion: «L’administration d’ocytocine en combinaison avec d’autres interventions cliniques peut aboutir à un traitement plus efficace des déficits de la communication sociale typiques de l'autisme ». Alors que ces déficits de communication sont un des principaux symptômes de l’autisme, il y a peu de traitements efficaces et aucun qui ne cible directement ce dysfonctionnement social de base.
 L'ocytocine avait déjà retenu l’attention de chercheurs pour sa capacité à réguler de nombreux aspects du comportement et de la cognition sociale chez les humains, mais, afin d’évaluer précisément son impact sur la fonction cérébrale, Gordon et son équipe ont mené cette étude en double aveugle, contrôlée versus placebo auprès d’enfants et d’adolescents âgés de 7 à 18 ans atteints de TSA.
 Les jeunes participants ont reçu une dose unique d’ocytocine par vaporisation nasale puis l’effet du médicament dans le cerveau a été suivi par IRM. Les chercheurs constatent que l'ocytocine parvient à augmenter l’activation des régions cérébrales connues pour traiter l'information sociale. Les chercheurs précisent que ces activations cérébrales étaient liées à différentes tâches impliquant divers modes de traitement de l'information, comme par la vision, l’écoute, et la compréhension de personnes extérieures.
 
 Source: Yale University via Eurekalert (AAAS) International Meeting for Autism Research Oxytocin improves brain function in children with autism
 

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