Collagen
makes up about 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content. Cells
are surrounded by collagen and connective tissue. In order to grow
and expand, healthy cells need to break down the extracellular barrier
that confines them. This process is essential for life, and for this
reason, cells produce and secrete various enzymes that digest connective
tissue components, including collagen and elastin. In cancer, the
excessive production of digestive enzymes and the disintegration of
collagen and connective tissue by cancer cells are the dangerous mechanisms
by which these cells invade and spread to other organs. Approximately
90% of all cancer fatalities result from metastasis, the invasion
of cancer cells into other organs and tissues.
Dr.
Rath's formula for treating Cancer. Dr. Rath's research determined
that the following ingredients (particularly the use of Vitamin C)
were effective to stop cancer cells from disintegrating collagen and,
thus, can help block the invasion of cancer cells. (Dr. Rath worked
under Dr. Linus Pauling, two-time Nobel Prize winner, and is considered
his protégé. Dr. Rath furthered the work Dr. Pauling
did on Vitamin C and its benefits to heart disease as well as cancer.)
Dr. Rath proposes the use of a combination of four nutrients formulated
as follows:
- Vitamin C (start with 3,000 mg daily and build to 12,000 mg daily)
- L-Lysine (3,000 mg daily)
- L-Proline (1,500 mg daily)
- Green Tea Extract or green tea itself (known as Epigallocatechin
Gallate or EGCG, 1,000 mg daily)
Metastasis of cancer cells inhibited. Dr. Rath's research
determined that over 90% of colon cancer cells and 100% of both breast
and melanoma cancer cells were blocked from invading a collagen matrix
using the above ingredients.
Collagen synthesis. Vitamin C has an important role in the
synthesis of collagen. Prolonged exposure of cultures of human connective-tissue
cells to ascorbate (Vitamin C) induced an eight-fold increase in the
synthesis of collagen with no increase in the rate of synthesis of
other proteins (see Collagen
under Synthesis and Effect
of vitamin C and its derivatives on collagen synthesis and cross-linking
by normal human fibroblasts).
Humans cannot produce Vitamin C. The vast majority of animals
and plants are able to synthesize Vitamin C, through a sequence of
enzyme-driven steps, which convert monosaccharides to vitamin C. Among
the animals that have lost the ability to synthesize Vitamin C are
guinea pigs and primates, including humans. These animals all lack
the L-gulonolactone oxidase (GULO) enzyme, which is required in the
last step of Vitamin C synthesis, because they have a differing non-synthesizing
gene for the enzyme (see Wikipedia on Vitamin
C under Biosynthesis). Most simians consume the vitamin in
amounts 10 to 20 times higher than that recommended by governments
for humans. This discrepancy constitutes much of the basis of
the controversy on current recommended dietary allowances.
Vitamin C deficiency and cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C
deficiency causes scurvy, a serious and painful disease in which defective
collagen prevents the formation of strong connective tissue. Gums
deteriorate and bleed, with loss of teeth; skin discolors, and wounds
do not heal. Dr. Rath's research has implicated Vitamin C deficiency
with cardiovascular disease. See Coronary
Heart Disease Is an Early Form of Scurvy.
