"Within the two Nurses' Health Study...of US women, we examined whether higher intakes of vitamin C, vitamin E, 'vitamin A,] or individual tocopherols 'vitamin E types] or carotenoids 'coloring in fruits and vegs., as red in tomatoes, yelllow in cantaloupe and carrots, etc.] are associated with lower risks of melanoma...

"Contrary to expectation, we observed higher risks of melanoma with greater intakes from food of vitamin C 'including orange juice.]

They did find that food-based vitamin A was helpful although the other nutrients were neutral.

SEE DETAILS (BELOW) FOR A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION OF THESE CONTRARY RESULTS.

Source of "Intake of Vitamins A, C, and E and Risk of Melanoma"

By Feskanich, Willett, Hunter & Colditz, Dept. of Med., Brigham & Women's Hosp., Harvard Med. School, Boston, MA 02115, Dept. of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health & Harvard Ctr. for Cancer Prevention. In British Journal of Cancer, vol. 88, 2003.

DETAILS: At first the two studies do seem contradictory. However, other reports have shown that vitamin C can be overdosed, and frequently is. One glass of orange juice may be fine, but more may be deleterious. Further, vitamin C pills, sold in massive doses as much as 1000 milligrams, are produced for the benefit of the companies, not the consumers. Dr. Linda Chen, Head of Ph.D. programs in Nutrition at the U. of Kentucky, a recognized authority, told us that 1000 mgs. TOTAL INTAKE in a day is about the safe limit. You can buy 250 mg. tablets, break them in half and have the halves several times a day. She agreed with that approach. Or, have that single glass of juice.