The Specific Role of Vitamin Therapy in Different Diseases

• April 14, 2022
• Written by :  WebFX WebFX

Cancer Therapy and Prevention.

Primarily, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E are reported to be involved in the amelioration of side effects which occur in chemotherapy and radiation therapy of lungs, stomach, prostate, colorectal, gastric head and neck cancers. The vitamins acting as antioxidant adjuvants are found to have apoptotic and anti-angiogenesis potential as well as inhibitory effects against metastasis in cancer cells (Jain, Tiwari, & Jain*, 2017).

A promising example in the cancer field is a successful treatment of metastatic invasive ductal breast carcinoma by 2 physician groups with treatments that combined conventional chemotherapy with nutritional support guided by nutritional and digestive laboratory testing (Intravenous Vitamin C Therapy protocol). The goal of minimizing side effects and enhancing outcomes was achieved in this patient who did not receive radiation therapy and is almost 3-year post treatment with no evidence of recurrence (Taxman et al., 2016).

Gut Health and Its Relation to Vitamin Therapy.

Vitamin D plays a protective role in Gastrointestinal Health. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among patients and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. The role of oral Vitamin D supplementation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS) patients is inconclusive based on current studies. Intravenous vitamin therapy can provide optimal delivery of Vitamin D to overcome malabsorption in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Gubatan & Moss, 2018).

Carotenoids, such as Beta-carotene and Astaxanthin may contribute to the gut immune homeostasis by directly regulating IgA production, thereby preventing of and/or delaying the development of dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is one of the most crucial factors in gut dysfunction that can induce many human diseases including obesity, metabolic syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (Lyu, Wu, Wang, Shen, & Lin, 2018).

Anxiety, depression and overall good mood.

Zinc and Vitamin C supplementation of the body is important for CNS functioning. Zinc ions are involved in the neurotransmission defective in anxiety and depression (signal transmission from acetylcholine, catecholamine, serotonin, prostaglandin receptors) and ubiquitin-related protein degradation. Zinc deficits are associated with Alzheimer’s Disease and depression. Zinc supplementation (10-30 mg daily) improves neurologic recovery rate in patients with stroke and brain injury, has a positive impact on memory and reduces hyperactivity in children. Vitamin C, a Zinc synergist, maintains antioxidant resources of the brain, synaptic activity, and detoxification. Vitamin C in dose 130-500 mg daily should be used to prevent dementia and neurodegenerative pathology (Gromova, Torshin, Pronin, & Kilchevsky, 2017).

Furthermore, schizophrenia patients usually follow a low-quality diet and are exposed to deficiencies in various nutrients that are essential for brain functioning. Specific nutrients, like Omega-3, Vitamin D and Group B Vitamins can be useful as complementary strategies in the treatment of Schizophrenia (Balanza Martinez, 2017).

Anti-Aging Effects of Vitamins.

Most known vitamins, especially “quasi-vitamins,” are involved as cofactors or influence 1 of the 6 key sets of pathways or pathologies associated with normal aging or neurodegeneration processes, relating to the following:

1. 1-carbon metabolism
2. DNA damage and repair
3. Mitochondrial function and glucose metabolism
4. Lipid and phospholipid metabolism and myelination
5. Neurotransmitter synthesis and synaptogenesis
6. Amyloidosis and Tau protein phosphorylation

B vitamins are also involved as cofactors in all of the core pathways or pathologies and, together with Vitamin C and Vitamin E, are consistently associated with a protective role against dementia. Outcomes from recent studies indicate that the efficacy and safety of supplementation with vitamins to prevent neurodegeneration will most likely depend on the following:

1. Which pathways are defective
2. Which vitamins are deficient and could correct the relevant metabolic defects
3. The modulating impact of nutrient-nutrient and nutrient-genotype interaction (Fenech, 2017)

Migraine Relief.

Vitamins are useful for migraine prevention, and riboflavin is reported to be an effective alternative prophylactic agent among pediatric and adult migraine patients by increasing the synthesis of FMN and FAD molecules to generate phosphorylation potentials. Lowering homocysteine levels through vitamin supplementation, specifically with folic acid and Vitamins B6 and B12, may reduce migraine disability in patients with migraine with aura (Shaik & Gan, 2015).

Immune System Wellness.

Dietary deficiencies of protein and specific micronutrients are well known to be potential causes of immune dysfunction and an adequate intake of some essential minerals including iron and zinc and the Vitamins A, D, E, B6, and B12 are important to maintain a healthy immune function. Vitamin D may be a particular concern as recent studies have emphasized its importance in limiting infection episode incidence and duration in both the general population and in athletes and many individuals exhibit inadequate Vitamin D status during the winter months (Gleeson, 2016).

Bi-Directional Relationship Between Weight Loss and Vitamins.

Most vitamins are deficient in obese individuals, especially the fat-soluble vitamins, folic acid, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C. The adipose tissue is considered a metabolic and endocrine organ, which in excess leads to changes in body homeostasis, as well as vitamin deficiency which can aggravate the pathological state (Thomas-Valdés, Tostes, Anunciação, da Silva, & Sant’Ana, 2017).

supplementation with lipoic acid or Co-Q or combined reverses all the parameters suggesting its weight-reducing potential. Lipoic acid increased fat oxidation. The consumption of lipoic acid daily promotes fat oxidation and prevents its accumulation in visceral tissues (Al-Ghamdi et al., 2016).

Interestingly, 10% weight reduction can have a significant role in increasing antioxidant enzymes activities, especially glutathione reductase, and catalase enzymes in obese women (Ramezanipour et al., 2014). 

Detox Therapy and Vitamins.

A certain beneficial detox diet is named the Hubbard purification rundown, in which participants consume increasing doses of niacin in conjunction with a range of A, D, C, E and B Vitamin. Minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper and iodine are consumed, as well as a certain dietary formula for several weeks. Its main benefits are the removal of fat‐stored toxins as well as improved memory, IQ, reaction times, cholesterol levels and blood pressure (Klein & Kiat, 2015).

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