Vitamin C: Nature’s Chemotherapy

Most folks think of Vitamin C as something you reach for when a cold’s coming on — a couple of pills, maybe a glass of orange juice, and you’re good to go. But let me tell you, Vitamin C is a whole lot more than that. It’s not just an immune booster — it’s one of the most powerful healing tools I’ve ever come across. I know because I’ve lived it. In fact, I devoted an entire chapter to it in my book I Used to Have Cancer. I truly believe Vitamin C played a major role in saving my life.

The Power of High-Dose Vitamin C — Oral and IV

Vitamin C was one of the biggest game changers in my recovery from Stage 4 Melanoma cancer over 40 years ago, and it’s still part of my daily routine today. Back when I was fighting for my life, I started taking high doses of oral Vitamin C, and I’ve never stopped.

A lot of people talk about intravenous Vitamin C, and I’m a big believer in that, too. It can be incredibly powerful. But I also think people sometimes overlook how effective oral Vitamin C can be when it’s done right. In fact, Dr. Linus Pauling and Dr. Matthias Rath showed years ago that high-dose oral Vitamin C, along with lysine, proline, and EGCG (from green tea extract), could do amazing things for cardiovascular and overall health. They didn’t use IVs — just oral nutrients — and still saw remarkable results.

From what I’ve seen and experienced, the real magic comes from combining both approaches. IV Vitamin C gives your body that immediate, powerful boost, while oral Vitamin C helps keep those levels up day after day. It’s a one-two punch for healing and long-term strength — and it’s something I still swear by.

I’ve always believed that true healing takes consistency and faith — not quick fixes. Vitamin C, taken the right way, has stood the test of time for me and for many others I’ve met through the years. That’s why I continue to share what I’ve learned through the Templeton Wellness Foundation — to help others find the same hope, strength, and natural tools for recovery that changed my life.

I always remind people — do your homework, ask plenty of questions, and surround yourself with a solid team of both experts and encouragers. Keep an open mind. Don’t be afraid to look at therapies that don’t make the evening news. For me, Vitamin C has been one of the best allies I’ve ever had in my fight for health.

What are your experiences with Vitamin C? I’d love to hear your story.

 

Resources:

Böttger F, Vallés-Martí A, Cahn L, Jimenez CR. High-dose intravenous vitamin C, a promising multi-targeting agent in the treatment of cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2021 Oct 30;40(1):343. doi: 10.1186/s13046-021-02134-y. PMID: 34717701; PMCID: PMC8557029.

Chen, Q., M.G. Espey, et al., “Pharmacological Ascorbic Acid Concentrations Selectively Kill Cancer Cells: Action as a Pro-drug to Deliver Hydrogen Peroxide to Tissues.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 102, 38 (2005): 13604–13609. Sep. 6, 2018. www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/pubmed/16157892

Klenner, Frederick R. “Observations on the Dose and Administration of Ascorbic Acid When Employed Beyond the Range of A Vitamin In Human Pathology,” Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine 13, 4th quarter (1988). Sep. 3, 2014. https://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v10n14.shtml

Levy, Thomas E. “The Clinical Impact of Vitamin C: My Personal Experiences as a Physician.” Orthomolecular.org. Sep. 18, 2018. https://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v10n14.shtml

Wright, Jonathan. “Frederick R. Klenner M.D., The Originator of Successful High-Dose Intra venous Vitamin C Therapy.” The Alliance for Natural Health USA. July 7, 2018. http://www.anh-usa.org/frederick-r-klenner-m-d-the-originator-of-successful-high-dose-intravenous-vitamin-c-therapy

Ngo B, Van Riper JM, Cantley LC, Yun J. Targeting cancer vulnerabilities with high-dose vitamin C. Nat Rev Cancer. 2019 May;19(5):271-282. doi: 10.1038/s41568-019-0135-7. PMID: 30967651; PMCID: PMC6526932.

Eat Well to Heal Well: Discover America’s Healthiest Restaurants

Guide to the Healthiest Restaurants in America | Templeton List

Find truly healthy dining options—handpicked to support your wellness and healing journey.

Want to dine out without compromising your health? The Templeton List reveals restaurants across America that prioritize clean ingredients, thoughtful preparation, farm-to-table sourcing, and menus that support a health-conscious lifestyle.