Vitamin C IV's

Linus Pauling, noble prize winner, advocated Vitamin C IV's at specificly certain high doses in the late 1960's. Mayos debunked i with a false replica. Now others are doing it such as Dr. Jeanne Driskoll at kansas univ. med for ovarian cancer. Has anyone done with while getting chemo, specificially 5F with leuvocin? Thanks. --Ann E.

 

On 6/25/2008 ConcernedinKC wrote:

Linus Pauling, noble prize winner, advocated Vitamin C IV's at specificly certain high doses in the late 1960''s. Mayos debunked i with a false replica. Now others are doing it such as Dr. Jeanne Driskoll at kansas univ. med for ovarian cancer. Has anyone done with while getting chemo, specificially 5F with leuvocin? Thanks. --Ann E.

using Chemo and vitamin C iv together

I have prostrate cancer when  fist diagnose I was told I was to sick to operate on. Chemo wont touch prostrate cancer so I can only go on what Iv been told by doctors and other cancer  patients and also what Iv read there is so Meany books on this the only treatment Iv had is first no sugar a cause cellular Zeolitte and 1000mg tablets of vitamin Bi-O C (vitamin C) I get these from the super market  I take two at breakfast two at lunch and one at night that 5000mg a day at the moment I’m eating the fruit Pawpaw for 15 years I had Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) now it almost gone if I didn’t have cancer I swear Id be in good health I don’t get tired as I use to  any more so the vitamin C is working for me. below is a copy of a paper by Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D. it explands a lot cheers Ray  

High Doses of Antioxidants Including Vitamin C Do Not Decrease the Efficacy of Chemotherapy
by Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D.  

Reprinted with permission of the author and the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, 911 Tyler Street, Pt. Townsend WA 98368; (360) 385-6021

 

Reprinted with permission of the author and the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, 911 Tyler Street, Pt. Townsend WA 98368; (360) 385-6021

 

The idea that the use of antioxidants decreases the efficacy of chemotherapy is being used more and more by orthodox oncologists. It is based upon their hypothesis that anything which decreases the oxidant effect of drugs will decrease the efficacy of chemotherapy. More and more I hear this from my patients after they are diagnosed and chemotherapy is discussed with them by their oncologists. This opinion is not universal, but my guess is that about 75% of oncologists hold this view. 

Their view is that chemotherapy destroys tumor tissue because it introduces powerful oxidation products, free radicals, and that anything which decreases that must interfere with treatment. They know they are using sub-lethal amounts of toxic compounds which would never pass FDA standards in any different context. The aim is to kill all the tumor tissue without killing all the other tissues in the body. This is always a close call. Therefore, since vitamin C is a good antioxidant it must not be given with chemotherapy. One of my patients was told by his oncologist that if he took vitamin C he would not be given any chemotherapy. 

Well, what are the facts? The first fact is that there are no clinical series which show that patients given vitamin C and chemotherapy fare worse than those not given this vitamin. On the contrary, all the published series show just the opposite. I have treated over 1,100 cases with large doses of vitamin C and most of them had chemotherapy.(1-4) I have examined the follow up data and find that the mean difference on prolongation of life was heavily in favor of the use of the vitamins. In the first series I published with Linus Pauling those patients on my program lived 10 to 20 times as long as the patients not receiving the vitamin. 

Recently Kedar N. Prasad et al. (5) after reviewing 71 scientific papers, found no evidence that antioxidants did interfere with the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy and, on the contrary, suggest the hypothesis that it would increase the efficacy. He is properly cautious, but anyone reading his paper knows that it is clear the probability that these antioxidants prevent the therapeutic activity of chemotherapy is very low, and the probability that they do the opposite, i.e enhance the action of these toxic drugs, is relatively high. Prasad et al. (6) concluded, "Antioxidants such as retinoids, vitamin E, vitamin C and carotenoids inhibit the growth of cancer cells. These antioxidants individually, and in combination, enhance the effects of x-irradiation, chemotherapeutic agents, and certain biological response modifiers such as hyperthermia, sodium butyrate and interferon, on cancer cells. Antioxidants individually protect normal cells against some of the toxicities produced by these therapeutic agents. Therefore, the fear of oncologists and radiation therapists that these antioxidants may protect cancer cells against free radicals that are generated by these agents is unfounded. It should be pointed out that other antioxidants such as sulfhydryl compounds will protect cancer cells at least against radiation damage. This is not true for any of the proposed antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids."

Even earlier Charles B. Simone et al. (7) on the basis of a large number of clinical studies (he also examined 71 scientific papers) came to the same conclusion. He reported, "In a recent study of 50 patients with early-stage breast cancer I evaluated the treatment side effects of radiation alone, or radiation combined with chemotherapy, while the patients took therapeutic doses of nutrients. Patients also followed the Simone Ten Point Plan. Patients were asked to evaluate their own response to the treatment in terms of its impact on their quality of life. The results of the study were impressive: "More than 90% of both groups noted improvement in their physical symptoms, cognitive ability, performance, sexual function, general well-being and life satisfaction. Not one subject in either group reported a worsening of symptoms." He concluded, "...cancer patients should modify their lifestyles using the Ten Point Plan, which included modifying nutritional factors and taking certain vitamins and minerals especially if they are receiving chemotherapy, and/or radiation." (my emphasis) 

Labriola et al. (8) concluded that vitamin C may prevent the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy if given concurrently and recommended that antioxidants be withheld until after the chemotherapy is completed. It is not clear whether they meant that the antioxidants should be withheld throughout the entire series of chemotherapy sessions or that it should be withheld only for the day that chemotherapy is being given. If the latter is his suggestion, there is no harm done to the patients. Most of them cannot take anything, including vitamins, during these sessions. He based his conclusion on one case which suggested this had happened and upon a hypothetical examination of the role of free radicals and antioxidants on the action of chemotherapy on cancer cells. 

His report elicited two rebuttals, Reilly (9) and Gignac. (10) I will not repeat the arguments, but it was evident that Dr. Labriola was not convinced by the points put forward by Reilly and Gignac. I think the factoid repeated by Dr. Labriola would have a much better chance of becoming a fact if he had considered the following points: 

ONE:  What is the therapeutic value of chemotherapy without any antioxidants? Even within the field of standard oncology there is a debate whether chemotherapy has any merit except for a small number of cancers (Moss). (11) Before one can claim that a treatment has been inhibited, surely there must be pretty good evidence that the treatment has any merit to begin with. It is possible (we do not know the probability for this) that chemotherapy interferes with the therapeutic value of the antioxidants. Almost all the studies testing large doses of vitamin C yielded positive results while there is no such unanimity with respect to chemotherapy. 

TWO: The difference between possibility and probability. Most people do not distinguish between these two. Theoretically anything is possible, and it is certainly possible that taking vitamin C might prevent the toxic “beneficial” effect of chemotherapy. In the same way when one buys a lottery ticket, it is possible they may win. People confuse these two terms, which is why lotteries are so popular. The real statistic is the probability. What is the probability that patients receiving vitamin C during their chemotherapy will not fare as well? The lottery ticket may give one a probability of winning of one in a million, and the possibility that vitamin C may prevent the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy may be equally low. We can only assume from the literature reviewed by Simone, by Prasad, by Lamson and Brignall, and more recently by Moss (12) that the real probability must be extremely low. As I have pointed out earlier, I have seen no evidence that adding vitamin C inhibited the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy. Just the opposite. Patients on my orthomolecular program live substantially longer and about 40% achieved over four year cure rates.(13) 

THREE: If he had not tried to bolster his argument by referring so frequently to the peer-reviewed journal in which his paper appeared. This is certainly no guarantee of fact. The first factoid that vitamin C caused kidney stones appeared in eminently peer-reviewed journals. All the factoids regarding vitamins appeared first in peer-reviewed journals. You may recall Linus Pauling's joke that peers are people who pee together. I can assure you that articles attacking the use of vitamins have very ready access to peer-reviewed journals, but they would not have accepted their report had they tried to conclude from one patient that vitamin C taken during chemotherapy was therapeutic. This would not even be sent to the peer review committee because they do not accept anecdotes - unless of course they become scientific when they contain something adverse against vitamins. 

FOUR: Moss points out that oncologists have no objection to using xenobiotic antioxidants during chemotherapy. This includes Amifostine which decreases the toxicity of radiation but is too toxic on its own and is not used; Mesna, a drug used around the world to protect against the toxic side effects of ifosfamide which damages the urinary system; and Cardiozane, which counters Adriamycin's toxicity. There are over 500 papers showing the safety of the latter drug. In one clinical trial using a drug similar to Adriamycin, one-quarter of the patients suffered damage to their hearts. When given Cardiozane concurrently only 7% did. Thus it appears that only orthomolecular or natural antioxidants are potentially dangerous. Synthetic antioxidants protect against the toxic effect of drugs but do not increase their therapeutic value. In sharp contrast, natural antioxidants not only protect against the toxic effect of drugs but also increase their efficacy in destroying cancer cells. 

FIVE: Dr. Labriola emphasizes that long term studies must be used. I agree, and for this reason I followed up my patients since 1977. In my series, hardly any patients receiving chemotherapy but not antioxidants survived very long. But chemotherapy is used by many oncologists who know it will not extend life, because there is nothing else that they can do and they feel they have to do something.

A. Hoffer MD PhD FRCP(C)
Suite 3 - 2727 Quadra Street
Victoria, British Columbia V8T 4E5 Canada
(250) 386-8756; Fax (250) 386-5828

References
1. Hoffer A & Pauling L: Hardin Jones biostatistical analysis of mortality data for cohorts of cancer patients with a large fraction surviving at the termination of the study and a comparison of survival times of cancer patients receiving large regular oral doses of vitamin C and other nutrients with similar patients not receiving those doses. J Orthomolecular Medicine 5:143-154, 1990. Reprinted in, Cancer and Vitamin C, E Cameron and L Pauling, Camino Books, Inc. P.O. Box 59026, Phil. PA, 19102, 1993.

2. Hoffer A & Pauling L: Hardin Jones biostatistical analysis of mortality data for a second set of cohorts of cancer patients with a large fraction surviving at the termination of the study and a comparison of survival times of cancer patients receiving large regular oral doses of vitamin C and other nutrients with similar patients not receiving these doses. J of Orthomolecular Medicine, 8:1547-167, 1993.

3. Hoffer A: Orthomolecular Oncology. In, Adjuvant Nutrition in Cancer Treatment, Eds. P Quillin & RM Williams. 1992 Symposium Proceedings, Sponsored by Cancer Treatment Research Foundation and American College of Nutrition. Cancer Treatment Research Foundation, 3455 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 200, Arlington Heights, IL 60005-1090, 331-362, 1994.

4. Hoffer A. One Patient's Recovery From Lymphoma. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients #160:50-51, 1996.

5. Prasad KN, Kumar A, Kochupillai V & Cole WC. High Doses of Multiple Antioxidant Vitamins: Essential Ingredients in Improving the Efficacy of Standard Cancer Therapy. Journal American College of Nutrition 18:13-25, 1999.

6. Prasad KN, Cole WC & Prasad JE. Multiple Antioxidant Vitamins as an Adjunct to Standard and Experimental Cancer Therapies. Z.Onkol/J. of Oncol 31:1201-1078, 1999.

7. Simone CB, Simone NL & Simone CB. Nutrients and Cancer Treatment. International Journal of Integrative Medicine 1:20-24, 1999.

8. Labriola D & Livingston R. Possible Interactions Between Dietary Antioxidants and Chemotherapy. Oncology 13:1003-1008, 1999, and Editorial to Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, November 1999.

9. Reilly P. Dr. Labriola's Editorial on Antioxidants and Chemotherapy, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients Feb/Mar 2000, 90-91.

10. Gignac MA. Antioxidants and Chemotherapy. What You Need to Know Before Following Dr. Labriola's Advice. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients Feb/March 2000, 88-89.

11. Moss RW. Questioning Chemotherapy. Equinox Press, Brooklyn, New York.

12. Moss RW. Antioxidants Against Cancer. Equinox Presss Inc. Brooklyn, New York, 1999.

13. Hoffer A. Vitamin C and Cancer. Quarry Press, Kingston, ON 2000.
 

 

Thank you Ray. This is very valuable information. It is obvious that you are doing a lot of research in order to do the best you can to bring your body back to good health. I really appreciate that you share the information you find that will be helpful to many others as well. You mention that you take 5000mg of Vitamin C every day. My med/alt doctor recommends 10,000mg daily with much more taken......to tolerance....(loose stool) if one is unusually stressed or feels unwell from a cold etc. I personally have taken up to 40,000mg when I feel a cold coming and within a day or so it's cleared up. He also recommends one buy pharmaceutical grade ascorbic acid. Another really excellent source of C that he recommends is a product called Lypo Spheric which you'll find good information on if you do a Google search......... Here are some of his views and recommendations re Vit.C..... quote........Vitamin C had been known to have anti viral activity since 1936. There are case studies showing VitC to have antiviral effects on the Pertussis virus (causes whooping cough), the cold virus, the Herpes virus, the Cytomegalovirus and an Influenza type virus. The Natural Killer Cells are the 'search and destroy' cells of the immune system. They search out viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders, as well as altered cells such as cancer cells and after finding them, act to kill them. These cells have molecular pumps on their surfaces which concentrate VitC in order to form hydrogen peroxide amongst other things in order to carry out this activity. This is just one of the ways in which ascorbic acid acts as an immune stimulant. Antioxidant activity of Vitamin C During an infection there is a 'storm of free radical generation'. It is the damaging effects of free radicals on cell membranes, structural molecules such as collagen, enzymes and as such severely disrupts cellular functioning. This produces the tissues effects seen specific to the organ system in which the infection occurs. The body has its own enzyme system which neutralizes one type of free radical molecule-the superoxide molecule, is neutralized by the selenium added to a nutritional strategy in viral infections such as Hepatitis and HIV improves outcome. But the selenium-SOD system is specific to the superoxide radical and ineffective against other radical oxygen species. Vitamin C is nature's premeir antioxidant scavenger which stops free radicall damage. Human Beings all have a genetic disease; they lack the enzyme gulano lactate oxidase which finalizes the conversion of glucose to ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Nearly all organisms on Earth have an enzyme system which converts glucose into the vital nutrient ascorbic acid. Humans, the higher primates, the guinea pig and the fruit bat all have genetic mutations which interferes with the cells ability to make ascorbic acid, thus making it imperative that they take in adequate amounts in their diet or as a supplement. In order to maintain cellular levels of vitamin c it is important to 'pulse' doses of vitamin c throught the day. Remember that all organisms, exscepting those mentioned above continuously make vitamin C from glucose in order to keep levels high. In humans a dose of vitamin C will last for about 6 hours in the blood, this is the rationale for the 'flow through' model of frequent dosing of this all important vitamin. In all cases in order for an effect to be seen dosage and frequency of the administration is of critical. A gram dose (1,000 mg = 1 gram) of Vitamin C has been shown to have minimal effects on the progress of the common cold and presumably would have little effect on more invasive, pathogenic viruses. A sustained intake of higher doses in the 2 to 5 gram range has been shown to have moderate effects. High levels of 10 to 70 grams may be required for effect on virulent, infections. Case studies indicate that intravenous Ascorbic Acid is effective in serious viral infections. Pulsing Vitamin C. An easy way of obtaining optimal levels of vitamin C is to take 500 - 1,000mg doses with each meal and at bedtime. (This gives a person the 2 to 4 gram amount that would be extrapolated from ascorbic acid synthesis in other organisms.) During times of infection or other illnesses which will increase free radical stress on the organism, higher amounts of vitamin C can be utilised to increase the effectiveness of the immune system and other repair systems of the body. In these cases 2 to 5 grams (2,000 to 5,000 mg) of VitC repeated every few hours is needed to counter the amounts of free radicals which are formed in these highly oxidative states. During a 24 hour period doses of 10 to 70 grams and more may be required to be maximally effective. At these high doses a certain amount of gastric upset, excess gas and increased stools will be experienced, in most cases these are well tolerated and do not interfere in the persons ability to take the supplement. In cases where one exceeds the amount of vitamin C that the gastric-intestinal tract can absorb the excess travels to the large bowel where it induces a liquidy diarrhea. In such cases so called 'bowel tolerance' has been achieved. If this is the case the person would cut back by 25% and decrease the frequency of taking the vitamin. This often happens when the illness process is abating and is often a sign that tapering the vitamin can be done. Drink plenty of fluids with these high doses of vitamin C. Vitamin C is also helpful and potentiates the effects of many other therapies, especially antibiotics. How to make a Vitamin C drink. An easy, effective, economical way of taking these optimal doses of VitaminC is in taking ascorbic acid in the pure crystaline powder form: 1/4 (one quarter) teaspoon is equal to 1 gram (1,000 mg). Take 1/4 to 1 (1,000mg to 5,000mg) teaspoon depending on the concentration you want, add a small amount of warm water to disolve the powder, then add your favourite juice and dilute with water. Sip this over an hour and you should easily assimilate the ascorbic acid without gastric upset. Experiment with juices and remember to drink plenty of water afterwards. Suitable juices include orange, grapefruit, apple, pear and apricot nectars, mango, grape, cranberry and pomegranate to mention a few. Vegetable juices are a good substitute if sugar intake is a concern. Many people find ascorbic acid powder in pure water to be a suitable way of taking the vitamin.......

 

On 7/3/2008 Shemay wrote:

Thank you Ray. This is very valuable information. It is obvious that you are doing a lot of research in order to do the best you can to bring your body back to good health. I really appreciate that you share the information you find that will be helpful to many others as well. You mention that you take 5000mg of Vitamin C every day. My med/alt doctor recommends 10,000mg daily with much more taken......to tolerance....(loose stool) if one is unusually stressed or feels unwell from a cold etc. I personally have taken up to 40,000mg when I feel a cold coming and within a day or so it's cleared up. He also recommends one buy pharmaceutical grade ascorbic acid. Another really excellent source of C that he recommends is a product called Lypo Spheric which you'll find good information on if you do a Google search......... Here are some of his views and recommendations re Vit.C..... quote........Vitamin C had been known to have anti viral activity since 1936. There are case studies showing VitC to have antiviral effects on the Pertussis virus (causes whooping cough), the cold virus, the Herpes virus, the Cytomegalovirus and an Influenza type virus. The Natural Killer Cells are the 'search and destroy' cells of the immune system. They search out viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders, as well as altered cells such as cancer cells and after finding them, act to kill them. These cells have molecular pumps on their surfaces which concentrate VitC in order to form hydrogen peroxide amongst other things in order to carry out this activity. This is just one of the ways in which ascorbic acid acts as an immune stimulant. Antioxidant activity of Vitamin C During an infection there is a 'storm of free radical generation'. It is the damaging effects of free radicals on cell membranes, structural molecules such as collagen, enzymes and as such severely disrupts cellular functioning. This produces the tissues effects seen specific to the organ system in which the infection occurs. The body has its own enzyme system which neutralizes one type of free radical molecule-the superoxide molecule, is neutralized by the selenium added to a nutritional strategy in viral infections such as Hepatitis and HIV improves outcome. But the selenium-SOD system is specific to the superoxide radical and ineffective against other radical oxygen species. Vitamin C is nature's premeir antioxidant scavenger which stops free radicall damage. Human Beings all have a genetic disease; they lack the enzyme gulano lactate oxidase which finalizes the conversion of glucose to ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Nearly all organisms on Earth have an enzyme system which converts glucose into the vital nutrient ascorbic acid. Humans, the higher primates, the guinea pig and the fruit bat all have genetic mutations which interferes with the cells ability to make ascorbic acid, thus making it imperative that they take in adequate amounts in their diet or as a supplement. In order to maintain cellular levels of vitamin c it is important to 'pulse' doses of vitamin c throught the day. Remember that all organisms, exscepting those mentioned above continuously make vitamin C from glucose in order to keep levels high. In humans a dose of vitamin C will last for about 6 hours in the blood, this is the rationale for the 'flow through' model of frequent dosing of this all important vitamin. In all cases in order for an effect to be seen dosage and frequency of the administration is of critical. A gram dose (1,000 mg = 1 gram) of Vitamin C has been shown to have minimal effects on the progress of the common cold and presumably would have little effect on more invasive, pathogenic viruses. A sustained intake of higher doses in the 2 to 5 gram range has been shown to have moderate effects. High levels of 10 to 70 grams may be required for effect on virulent, infections. Case studies indicate that intravenous Ascorbic Acid is effective in serious viral infections. Pulsing Vitamin C. An easy way of obtaining optimal levels of vitamin C is to take 500 - 1,000mg doses with each meal and at bedtime. (This gives a person the 2 to 4 gram amount that would be extrapolated from ascorbic acid synthesis in other organisms.) During times of infection or other illnesses which will increase free radical stress on the organism, higher amounts of vitamin C can be utilised to increase the effectiveness of the immune system and other repair systems of the body. In these cases 2 to 5 grams (2,000 to 5,000 mg) of VitC repeated every few hours is needed to counter the amounts of free radicals which are formed in these highly oxidative states. During a 24 hour period doses of 10 to 70 grams and more may be required to be maximally effective. At these high doses a certain amount of gastric upset, excess gas and increased stools will be experienced, in most cases these are well tolerated and do not interfere in the persons ability to take the supplement. In cases where one exceeds the amount of vitamin C that the gastric-intestinal tract can absorb the excess travels to the large bowel where it induces a liquidy diarrhea. In such cases so called 'bowel tolerance' has been achieved. If this is the case the person would cut back by 25% and decrease the frequency of taking the vitamin. This often happens when the illness process is abating and is often a sign that tapering the vitamin can be done. Drink plenty of fluids with these high doses of vitamin C. Vitamin C is also helpful and potentiates the effects of many other therapies, especially antibiotics. How to make a Vitamin C drink. An easy, effective, economical way of taking these optimal doses of VitaminC is in taking ascorbic acid in the pure crystaline powder form: 1/4 (one quarter) teaspoon is equal to 1 gram (1,000 mg). Take 1/4 to 1 (1,000mg to 5,000mg) teaspoon depending on the concentration you want, add a small amount of warm water to disolve the powder, then add your favourite juice and dilute with water. Sip this over an hour and you should easily assimilate the ascorbic acid without gastric upset. Experiment with juices and remember to drink plenty of water afterwards. Suitable juices include orange, grapefruit, apple, pear and apricot nectars, mango, grape, cranberry and pomegranate to mention a few. Vegetable juices are a good substitute if sugar intake is a concern. Many people find ascorbic acid powder in pure water to be a suitable way of taking the vitamin.......

Tran fat and cancer

Wow,,grate post this is good

Hi Shemay your right about the vitamin C also and this is very valuable information.it conferms a lot of the research Im doing in books and in our  Libraries Now since I been a member of this site I picked up a lot of valuable information from it, from the net, and out of books to help me fight cancer. I Take a lot of Vitamin one of them is vitamin C Iv had to do a lot of changes in my life and now especially. In my diet before  what I was living on was no more then just starch and meat now on this cancer diet I feel better as I said before if I didn’t have cancer Id be in grate shape just lately I been reading a book by Dr Ross Walker it called the Cell Factor. In the first part of the book he talks about how cells can become damaged by synthetic fats. That the outer membrane of the cell is made of fat, when synthetic fat in the form of trans fats is introduce in to the cell. The fat becomes part of the cell wall, deranging the membrane and making it hard and impermeable to nutrients. So the inner part of the cell is now being starved of nutrients. Now because the cell a living thing and wants to live it finds other ways to produce energy. Cancer cells don’t need oxygen to survive they use fermentation to produce energy. While reading this book I felt maybe that becoming a cancer call might be one of those ways. So I will now stay away from trans- fats

 thank for the post Shemay this comes from the site at

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23527049-36398,00.html?

Trans-fats linked to breast cancer risk – study

Trans- FATS, which are being phased out of food because they clog arteries, may raise the risk of getting breast cancer, European researchers reported today. TRANS-FATS, which are being phased out of food because they clog arteries, may raise the risk of getting breast cancer, European researchers reported today. They found women with the highest blood levels of trans-fats had about twice the risk of breast cancer compared to women with the lowest levels. "At this stage, we can only recommend limiting the consumption of processed foods, the source of industrially produced trans-fatty acid,'' the researchers wrote in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Trans-fats or trans-fatty acids are made in creating artificially hardened fats - in the process of hydrogenation, for instance. They were, ironically, meant to be healthful replacements for artery-clogging saturated fats such as butter and lard. But the process of making vegetable oil behave like butter made it as unhealthy as butter. New York and California have banned trans-fats in restaurant foods. Canada and Britain have considered it and countless food companies have dropped them as an ingredient. Veronique Chajes, of the French national scientific research centre at the University of Paris-South, and colleagues studied women taking part in a large European cancer trial. They looked at blood samples collected between 1995 and 1998 from 25,000 women who had volunteered to report on their eating and lifestyle habits and then be followed for years to see if they developed cancer. They studied 363 women diagnosed with breast cancer, comparing their blood levels of fatty acids with those of women without cancer. The higher the levels of trans-fatty acids, the more likely a woman was to have cancer, Dr Chajes and colleagues found. Women with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, being studied for their potential benefits to health, were not any less likely to have breast cancer, the researchers found. Obese women are more likely to develop breast cancer, among other types of cancer, and high-fat diets are also linked with breast cancer. Trans-fats can be found in cooking fats, baked goods, snacks and a variety of other prepared foods. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish such as salmon, walnuts and leafy green vegetables.