Part 5/10:
This process is counterintuitive. Instead of protecting cells, vitamin C elevates oxidative damage specifically inside the cancer cells with the KRAS mutation, leading to cancer cell death. Additionally, vitamin C reduces a protective protein called feritin heavy chain in the cancer cells. This protein usually binds iron to prevent free iron from catalyzing damaging reactions. Lower levels of this protein result in more free iron inside the cell, which then triggers destructive oxidative reactions, further assaulting the cancer.