Written based on 13 research studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11..
The claim
Posts online say that vitamin C (incl. high-dose) helps with myelodysplastic syndromes.
Where research stands
We found 13 published papers on vitamin C (incl. high-dose) and myelodysplastic syndromes. They were published between 1988 and 2026. 4 of them are studies in people. 1 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. None was a study in animals, and 4 were only in cells in the lab. 1 paper was retracted. 1 new study in people is running or will start soon, say the trial registers.
- 4In people1 with a comparison group
- 0In animals
- 4Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Vitamin C (incl. high-dose) has been tested in randomised trials in people with myelodysplastic syndromes.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- Oral vitamin C supplementation to patients with myeloid cancer on azacitidine treatment: Normalization of plasma vitamin C induces epigenetic changes.2019 · Clin Epigenetics · Randomised trial
- High-dose IV ascorbic acid therapy for patients with CCUS with TET2 mutations.2024 · Blood · Study in people
- Combination decitabine, arsenic trioxide, and ascorbic acid for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia: a phase I study.2011 · Am J Hematol · Study in people
- Depletion of L-ascorbic acid alternating with its supplementation in the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes.2009 · Eur J Haematol · Study in people
- [Inhibitory Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Myelodysplastic Syndrome Cells and Its Mechanism].2021 · Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi · In the lab
- Oxidative stress mediates apoptotic effects of ascorbate and dehydroascorbate in human Myelodysplasia cells in vitro.2013 · Toxicol In Vitro · In the lab
- In vitro growth modulation by L-ascorbic acid of colony-forming cells from bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.1992 · Cancer Res · In the lab
- Vitamin C in leukemia and preleukemia cell growth.1988 · Prog Clin Biol Res · In the lab
- NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 deficiency conjoint with marginal vitamin C deficiency causes cigarette smoke induced myelodysplastic syndromes.2011 · PLoS One · RetractedRetracted
- Retraction: NAD(P)H: Quinone oxidoreductase 1 deficiency conjoint with marginal vitamin C deficiency causes cigarette smoke induced myelodysplastic syndromes.2026 · PLoS One · Other paper
- Arsenic trioxide and ascorbic acid interfere with the BCL2 family genes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: an ex-vivo study.2012 · J Hematol Oncol · Other paper
- Effect of biscoclaurine alkaloids, prednisolone and ascorbic acid on myelodysplastic syndrome with pancytopenia: a case report.2000 · Eur J Haematol · Other paper
- Growth modulation of human leukemic, preleukemic, and myeloma progenitor cells by L-ascorbic acid.1991 · Am J Clin Nutr · Other paper
