High levels of vitamin C given intravenously work as a pro-oxidant. This means that the vitamin causes degeneration and the death of cells by oxidation. Current knowledge suggests that when ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is infused intravenously it bypasses the intestinal tract and diffuses onto the circulatory blood system into the extracellular space (outside a cell). This space is occupied by exracellular fluid.
It is here that the vitamin C interacts with transitional metals such as copper and iron and forms hydrogen peroxide and ascorbate radical. The hydrogen peroxide diffuses into the cancer cell where it causes death to the cancer cell.
Normal or healthy cells have a high level of an enzyme called catalase that quickly degrades the hydrogen peroxide into water thereby protecting the cell from damage.
Levels of catalase are insignificant in the extracellular space and in cancer cells; therefore, the hydrogen peroxide continues to cause the demise of the cancer cell.
