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Vitamins and minerals

Vitamin C and radiation — a shield against X-rays and CT scans?

Sources: 7 · Article: 10 009 characters

Thomas E. Levy recommends taking as much vitamin C as possible before tests involving radiation, such as mammograms and X-rays.

  • He cites studies in which vitamin C, alone or with other antioxidants, was reported to block or reverse radiation-induced damage.
  • He also describes an observation of four workers exposed to radiation whose cancer risk score did not increase after they were given vitamin C and continued taking supplements.

What the authors write

Thomas E. Levy

Thomas E. Levy recommends taking as much vitamin C as possible before tests involving radiation, such as mammograms and X-rays.

„It is always good to get as much vitamin C on board as possible before such encounters, as it is always easier to prevent damage than to repair it after it has occurred. Like with any other medical condition being treated with vitamin C, it is always best to err on the high side in dosing, whether the intent is to prevent or to repair.”It is always good to get as much vitamin C on board as possible before such encounters, as it is always easier to prevent damage than to repair it after it has occurred. Like with any other medical condition being treated with vitamin C, it is always best to err on the high side in dosing, whether the intent is to prevent or to repair.
Dr. Thomas Levy
Thomas E. Levy

Thomas E. Levy writes that limited, one-time radiation exposure can be treated with antioxidant-based methods, but he does not say this about ongoing exposure to high doses.

„Single limited radiation exposures are easily treated by antioxidant-based protocols. Ongoing, high-dose radiation exposures that do not dissipate cannot be expected to relent to any therapy. Dr. Atsuo Yanagisawa of Japan showed that even moderately-dosed vitamin C was able to prevent the Cancer Risk Score, associated with the release of free DNA from radiation-damaged cells, from increasing during an extended treatment period on four workers who went directly into the damaged plant to effect repairs.”Single limited radiation exposures are easily treated by antioxidant-based protocols. Ongoing, high-dose radiation exposures that do not dissipate cannot be expected to relent to any therapy. Dr. Atsuo Yanagisawa of Japan showed that even moderately-dosed vitamin C was able to prevent the Cancer Risk Score, associated with the release of free DNA from radiation-damaged cells, from increasing during an extended treatment period on four workers who went directly into the damaged plant to effect repairs.
Dr. Thomas Levy
Thomas E. Levy

Thomas E. Levy cites studies in which vitamin C, alone or with other antioxidants, was reported to block or reverse radiation-induced damage.

„A sizeable body of research has also shown that vitamin C, with or without other antioxidants, has been able to block and/or reverse the damage inflicted by radiation exposure in the test tube, in test animals, and in patients receiving radiation therapy, as for cancer.”A sizeable body of research has also shown that vitamin C, with or without other antioxidants, has been able to block and/or reverse the damage inflicted by radiation exposure in the test tube, in test animals, and in patients receiving radiation therapy, as for cancer.
Dr. Thomas Levy
Thomas E. Levy

Thomas E. Levy describes an observation of four workers exposed to radiation whose cancer risk score did not increase after they were given vitamin C and continued taking supplements.

„Dr. Atsuo Yanagisawa of Japan showed that even moderately-dosed vitamin C was able to prevent the Cancer Risk Score, associated with the release of free DNA from radiation-damaged cells, from increasing during an extended treatment period on four workers who went directly into the damaged plant to effect repairs.”Dr. Atsuo Yanagisawa of Japan showed that even moderately-dosed vitamin C was able to prevent the Cancer Risk Score, associated with the release of free DNA from radiation-damaged cells, from increasing during an extended treatment period on four workers who went directly into the damaged plant to effect repairs.
Dr. Thomas Levy

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 597.

In an in vitro study, vitamin C reduced gamma-radiation-induced DNA damage, but in the presence of copper it could increase it.

Aim of the study: Exposure to either ionizing radiation or certain transition metals results in generation of reactive oxygen species that induce DNA damage, mutation, and cancer. Vitamin C (a reactive oxygen scavenger) is considered to be a dietary radioprotective agent.

Results: However, vitamin C plus copper (50 microM) significantly enhanced gamma-radiation-induced DNA damage. Low levels of added copper (5 microM), or chelation of copper with 1-N-benzyltriethylenetetraine tetrahydrochloride (BzTrien) and bathocuprinedisulfonic acid (BCSA), abolished the enhanced damage without diminishing the protective effect of vitamin C. These results indicate that vitamin C can act as: (1) an antioxidant to protect DNA damage from ionizing radiation; and (2) a reducing agent in the presence of copper to induce DNA damage. These effects are important in assessing the role of vitamin C, in the presence of mineral supplements or radioprotective therapeutic agents, particularly in patients with abnormally high tissue copper levels.

Roles of vitamin C in radiation-induced DNA damage in presence and absence of copper. · Chem Biol Interact 2001
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In vitamin C-deficient mice, adequate vitamin C intake improved survival after irradiation in a gastrointestinal syndrome model, but not in a hematopoietic syndrome model.

Aim of the study: Accidental exposure to high-dose radiation causes life-threatening acute radiation syndrome, features that include gastrointestinal syndrome (GIS) and hematopoietic syndrome (HS). Administration of vitamin C (VC), a free radical scavenger, has been reported to increase survival of mice in GIS and HS models. The effect of nutritional VC status on radiation injury remains unknown because, unlike humans, mice can synthesize VC.

Results: In the GIS model, in which bone marrow failure is rescued by bone marrow transplantation, VC-insufficient mice had a lower survival rate than VC-sufficient mice. The intestine of VC-insufficient GIS mice showed epithelial cell atrophy, inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased crypt cell proliferation. We observed rapid VC oxidation after total body irradiation in the intestine of mice supplemented with VC-sufficient water. In the HS model, which was not combined with bone marrow transplantation, there was no difference in survival between VC-insufficient and -sufficient mice. The results of this study demonstrated that nutritionally sufficient VC exerts a radioprotective effect against radiation-induced GIS.

Radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome is exacerbated in vitamin C-insufficient SMP30/GNL knockout mice. · Nutrition 2021
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In rats, vitamin C reduced some liver changes and oxidative stress after gamma irradiation.

Aim of the study: The radioprotective efficacy of methanolic extracts of leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS), and vitamin C (VIT C) against gamma radiation (4 Gy) induced liver damage was studied in male Wistar albino rats. VIT C was administered at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight, while VA and HS were administered at doses; 200, 400 and 800-mg/kg body weight, orally for 4 weeks prior to radiation and 5 weeks after irradiation.

Results: Similarly, alkaline phosphatase and LPO levels were significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated following treatment with VIT C and VA (400 and 800 mg/kg) at 5 weeks after irradiation. In addition, treatment with VIT C, VA (800 mg/kg) and HS (400 and 800 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) elevated the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) by 61%, 56%, 41% and 44%, respectively, at 5 weeks. Similar elevation of antioxidant enzymes; SOD, glutathione-s-transferase and catalase were obtained in animals treated with VIT C and extracts at 5 weeks. Taken together, the results suggest that the extracts of VA and HS, and VIT C could increase the antioxidant defense systems and may probably protect animals from radiation-induced liver damage.

Protective effects of extracts of Vernonia amygdalina, Hibiscus sabdariffa and vitamin C against radiation-induced liver damage in rats. · J Radiat Res 2008
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Perspectives and opinion materials

The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.

Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„While avoiding unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation is clearly preferable, people affected by Fukushima do not have the luxury of avoiding contamination. Antioxidants: Free-Radical Scavengers Free-radical scavengers, as the name suggests, mop up the damaging radicals produced by radiation. The more common term for free radical scavenger is antioxidant. Antioxidants replace the electrons stripped from molecules by ionizing radiation.”While avoiding unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation is clearly preferable, people affected by Fukushima do not have the luxury of avoiding contamination. Antioxidants: Free-Radical Scavengers Free-radical scavengers, as the name suggests, mop up the damaging radicals produced by radiation. The more common term for free radical scavenger is antioxidant. Antioxidants replace the electrons stripped from molecules by ionizing radiation.
Fukushima Radiation Release is Worse than You Have Been Told
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Vitamin C reduces the side effects of radiation. Vitamin C reduces post-surgical inflammation and infection, and reduces healing time. Cancer patients can and should take antioxidants and other nutritional supplements while undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Vitamin C and other nutrients reduce side effects, and actually improve the results with both chemo and radiation. He says, "Vitamin C has two effects. It increases the beneficial effects of radiation and chemotherapy and decreases the adverse effects.”Vitamin C reduces the side effects of radiation. Vitamin C reduces post-surgical inflammation and infection, and reduces healing time. Cancer patients can and should take antioxidants and other nutritional supplements while undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Vitamin C and other nutrients reduce side effects, and actually improve the results with both chemo and radiation. He says, "Vitamin C has two effects. It increases the beneficial effects of radiation and chemotherapy and decreases the adverse effects.
WHY VITAMIN C FIGHTS CANCER SO WELL: And why more and more oncologists are now using it
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Sixteen men aged between 32 and 59 years worked 5 to 6 weeks in a radiation contaminated area, collecting contaminated water, measuring radiation levels, operating heavy machinery, and removing debris. Blood samples were obtained to measure whole blood counts and blood chemistry, plasma levels of free DNA, and 47 cancer related gene expressions. Four workers who took intravenous vitamin C (25,000 mg) therapy before they went in, and continuously took anti-oxidative supplements during the working period, had no significant change in both free DNA and overall cancer risk.”Sixteen men aged between 32 and 59 years worked 5 to 6 weeks in a radiation contaminated area, collecting contaminated water, measuring radiation levels, operating heavy machinery, and removing debris. Blood samples were obtained to measure whole blood counts and blood chemistry, plasma levels of free DNA, and 47 cancer related gene expressions. Four workers who took intravenous vitamin C (25,000 mg) therapy before they went in, and continuously took anti-oxidative supplements during the working period, had no significant change in both free DNA and overall cancer risk.
Vitamin C Prevents Radiation Damage: Nutritional Medicine in Japan

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