For decades, vitamin C has been seen as little more than an immune booster, a daily supplement to ward off colds. But what if this humble nutrient could become one of the most powerful allies in the fight against cancer and chronic disease?
On a recent episode of “A Healthy Point of View” podcast, Sam Tejada, CEO and Founder of Liquivida® sat down with Dr. Steve Rallis, Chief Medical Officer at DripBar and a leader on the Scientific Advisory Board of the American IV Association, to uncover the science and potential behind high-dose intravenous vitamin C and why it’s challenging the limits of conventional medicine.
This Doctor Is Using Vitamin C to Fight Cancer—and It’s Working! Dr. Steve Rallis | Ep. 75
From Traditional Training to Functional Medicine
Dr. Rallis’ journey into functional medicine didn’t follow a straight path. With degrees in biology, biochemistry, chiropractic care, and naturopathic medicine, he developed a rare perspective on how different disciplines approach health. Over time, he saw the limitations of conventional medicine’s focus on symptoms and prescriptions, especially for chronic conditions.
Functional medicine offered something different: a deeper dive into root causes, looking at the interconnected systems of the body and how lifestyle, nutrition, and environment influence health.
Rethinking Cancer: A Metabolic Perspective
Most medical students are taught the “somatic mutation theory” of cancer—disease caused by genetic errors in the cell. Dr. Rallis offers a different view: cancer as a metabolic disease, where the cell’s ability to use nutrients for energy becomes disrupted.
Healthy cells rely on mitochondria for energy production, but many cancer cells bypass this process entirely, switching to a less efficient fuel system that drives their growth. This metabolic difference creates a weakness one that high-dose vitamin C can exploit.
The Turning Point: When Vitamin C Changes Roles
At standard doses, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant. But when given intravenously at high levels typically above 15 grams, it flips into a prooxidant, producing oxidative stress that selectively damages cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.
That protective selectivity comes from an enzyme called G6PD, which healthy cells have and cancer cells typically lack. However, this also means patients must be tested for G6PD deficiency before starting treatment, as those without it risk dangerous complications.
Oral vitamin C can never achieve the blood concentrations needed for this effect. The body tightly controls absorption through the digestive system, capping blood levels at about 220 micromolar. Cancer treatment requires levels of 10,000–20,000 micromolar possible only through IV delivery.
Lessons from the Past
In the 1970s, Scottish surgeon Ewan Cameron and Nobel Prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling published groundbreaking results showing that terminal cancer patients receiving IV vitamin C lived significantly longer than expected. Their work suggested a doubling or tripling of survival times in some cases.
However, a Mayo Clinic study later dismissed these findings largely because it substituted oral vitamin C for IV. At the time, the critical difference between the two delivery methods wasn’t widely understood. Only decades later, with pharmacokinetic research, did science confirm why IV administration was essential.
Strength in Collaboration
One of Dr. Rallis’ strongest messages is that functional medicine and conventional medicine are not competitors; they are allies when used together. High-dose vitamin C is not meant to replace chemotherapy; instead, it can make chemotherapy more effective, reduce toxicity, and protect the immune system. This integrative approach often allows for better outcomes and improved quality of life.
Beyond Cancer: Other Promising Uses
While cancer is a major focus, high-dose IV vitamin C is also showing benefits for:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Severe infections like sepsis
- Inflammatory bowel disorders such as colitis
- Gut health issues, including leaky gut
Its ability to reduce inflammation and support immune regulation gives it a wide therapeutic reach.
The MAHA Movement: Pushing for a New Kind of Healthcare
The conversation between Tejada and Rallis didn’t stop at treatment protocols; it expanded into a broader vision for change. Both men are advocates for the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, a growing push for transparency, expanded treatment options, and a more inclusive approach to medicine.
The idea is simple: patients should have access to every tool that can help them, whether it comes from conventional medicine, functional medicine, or a blend of both. For too long, the healthcare system has been shaped by entrenched policies, limited treatment models, and financial incentives that don’t always align with patient well-being.
The MAHA movement challenges this status quo, calling for open dialogue, unbiased research, and a commitment to health over politics. As Dr. Rallis points out, change is inevitable:
“Conventional medicine is not complete. It needs functional medicine.”
By breaking down the “us versus them” mentality, MAHA seeks to create a healthcare system where the best ideas, regardless of their origin, become part of everyday practice.
A Resource for Patients and Providers
For those curious about the science and application of IV vitamin C, Dr. Rallis’ book, When Oranges Become Apples: What Your Oncologist Won’t Tell You About IV Vitamin C and Cancer, offers clear explanations, practical guidance, and strategies for integrating this therapy into cancer care.
His parting words on the podcast summed it up perfectly:
“Don’t oversell it, don’t undersell it, just use it.”