Monday, December 7, 2009

Less cancer with vitamin C

Vitamin C reduces the risk of cancer by blocking a protein essential for cancer cells.

We know that vitamin C helps fight against certain cancers gr? That his r? The antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, molecules that can damage our DNA and increase the risk of cancer.
So far, we do not know the exact mechanism by which vitamin C protects against cancers. A study in the United States by the researcher Ping Gao Johns Hopkins University has identified a molecule that is involved in this mechanism: the HIF-1 (Hypoxia Induced Factor).

Cancer induces a strong production of cells that require lots of oxygen to proliferate. When it runs out, cancer cells may however continue to multiply gr? This action of HIF-1 protein. This is indeed capable of providing energy by converting sugar in the absence of oxygen and allows the survival of cancer cells.

But the HIF-1 needs to operate free radicals. It is precisely at this level that the Vitamin C by inhibiting the famous free radicals, it neutralizes the HIF-1. Result: cancer cells are deprived of energy and are unable to multiply, thereby slowing the progression of tumors.

In reaching this conclusion, the researchers conducted their experiment on two batches of mice which were induced cancers. The first batch of mice were fed a diet containing vitamin C, the second serving as a witness. Scientists have discovered that when mice ingesting vitamin C had no HIF-1 to the end of the experiment. The researchers concluded that vitamin C destroys free radicals essential to the functioning of the HIF-1. It can not be used, cancer cells do not survive.

This is the first time that this mechanism is maintained. It will help to optimize the therapeutic effects of vitamin C in the fight against cancer.

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