Medical columnist: Some doctors recommend taking vitamin C to help maintain overall health because vitamin C is an antioxidant, a substance that protects the body from certain types of oxygen particles that can trigger disease  People suffering from various ailments are encouraged to take vitamin C to guard against developing other health problems
However, doctors are now discouraging some cancer patients from taking vitamin C, even when they are undergoing therapies with side effects that are detrimental to their overall health
Cancer cells that are susceptible to certain types of cancer therapies are not likely to be affected by the presence of vitamin C.