Vitamin C is found in some foods and is available as a dietary supplement. Most animals are able to make it, but humans cannot and must get it from food.
This vitamin is required for making collagen, a major part of connective tissue and wound healing.
Vitamin C also regenerates vitamin E. Both have antioxidant functions and perform necessary jobs in our bodies. We depend on adequate amounts of both.
Vitamin C also has an important role in immune function. Many people take extra vitamin C when they don’t feel good, or to prevent illness.
“C IV”? Why not take Vitamin C orally?
The intestines in our body control the amount of vitamin C that is absorbed. Higher doses overload our ability to absorb the vitamin. For example, when the dose of vitamin C is low, absorption is as high as 90%. When the dose is above 1 gram per day the absorption falls to below 50%.
Vitamin C blood concentrations can be much higher if it is given intravenously. Large oral doses can raise plasma vitamin C concentration to a maximum of only 220 micromol/L. Vitamin C IV administration can produce plasma concentration as high as 26,000 micromol/L. This is a tremendous increase.
Vitamin C IV Side Effects
There are many studies since 1970 discussing the benefits of vitamin c. Some are positive and some do not show benefit of supplementation. The most common unwanted symptoms are diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping.
A more recent study published in Journal of the American Medical Association described IV vitamin C reducing mortality in septic patients from 46% to 30%. These patients have a desperate condition and high dose vitamin C helps in many ways.
Some studies of IV high dose vitamin C in patients with cancer have shown they enjoyed a higher quality of life and fewer side effects from their other treatments.
Vitamin C Infusion Near Me?
Everyone should do their own research and speak with the rest of their medical team when deciding on high dose vitamin C therapy. There are many stories of miraculous recoveries, and also studies showing reason for skepticism. Fortunately, there are few side effects from this treatment, and it could greatly improve the quality of your life.