Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin and antioxidant. Many animals, including mammals, can produce vitamin C, however, humans must obtain vitamin C from their diet. Vitamin C is an essential part of numerous reactions in the body. It is required in the synthesis of collagen, carnitine, neuropeptides, and in the regulation of gene expression.

Linus Pauling, the Nobel prize winner, was the first to promote the benefits of Vitamin C in the 1970’s. Since then intravenous (IV) Vitamin C has been extensively researched. Especially in the area of integrative oncology. Learn more about Vitamin C and Care Care. It has been found that individuals with higher levels of vitamin C have reduced risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease and stroke. There is also evidence that vitamin C can reduce the duration of infections, via stimulation of the immune system, and improve wound healing. Many individuals with acute and chronic illnesses have been found to have lower blood levels of vitamin C and increased vitamin C levels have been found to improve multiple parameters of health. Due to the many benefits of Vitamin C it is an additive in many of our IV formulations.

IV vitamin C may help improve the following conditions:

  • Low immunity

  • Acute and chronic infections

  • Chronic stress, burnout

  • Hypertension and cardiovascular disease

  • Neurodegenerative disease and cognitive impairment

  • Depression and anxiety

  • Enhanced athletic performance

  • Fatigue

  • Inflammatory conditions like arthritis & autoimmune disease

  • Support before and after surgery to improve healing time

Possible Side Effects:

Intravenous vitamin C is very safe with few reported side effects. One study found that side effects occur in only 1% of the patients who have had this therapy administered. Although rare, side effects can include increased urination, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, loss of appetite and dry skin or dry mouth. With any intravenous infusion there is risk of pain and inflammation at the injection site as well as risk of infiltration (IV fluid leaking outside of the vein).

Contraindications and Cautions:

There are no known contraindications to low dose IV Vitamin C therapy. A contraindication to high dose IVC therapy is G6PD deficiency. Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an inherited condition in which patients lack the enzyme G6PD. This enzyme helps red blood cells function normally and without it high dose IVC infusion can cause your red blood cells to be destroyed. All patients undergoing high dose IVC therapy must have their G6PD levels checked.

Caution is advised in patients with diabetes, kidney failure, a history of kidney stone formation and iron storage diseases. Preliminary studies showed that high dose IVC may worsen these conditions. However, larger studies have found this to not be the case and, in some instances, can even improve these conditions.