LETTER TO THE EDITOR – JULY/AUGUST 2004

My daughter was diagnosed with cancer – primary breast and also blood marrow, which is the type that goes into the bone. We have her on mega doses of vitamin-C and now one of the doctors tells us that vitamin C leaches calcium out of the bone. Is this true? She feels good, but will stop taking the vitamin C if there is some merit in what the doctor says.

RH, USA

Editor: So sorry to hear about your daughter's diagnosis. I have never seen any medical evidence linking vitamin C supplementation to bone loss. Quite the contrary, several studies have shown that vitamin C actually increases bone mass density. I would suggest you keep on with the vitamin C if your daughter feels it helps her.