More on antioxidants

I had previously posted about the possible dangers of antioxidant supplementation. A new study on vitamin C finds that it may help protect cancer cells just as it protects healthy cells. In particular, vitamin C supplementation may reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy:

The researchers found that just like healthy cells, cancer cells also benefit from vitamin C. The vitamin appeared to repair a cancer cell’s damaged mitochondria, the energy center of cells. When the mitochondria is injured, it sends signals that force the cell to die, but vitamin C interrupts that process.

“Vitamin C appears to protect the mitochondria from extensive damage, thus saving the cell,” Dr. Heaney said. “And whether directly or not, all anticancer drugs work to disrupt the mitochondria to push cell death.”

Dr. Heaney cautioned that his study looked at high dose supplements and recommended that people continue to consume vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables.