Hi there, I’m Falecia, the IV nurse here at Princeton Integrative Health.
There’s no doubt that vitamin C is a nutrient superhero. Found in citrus fruits, red peppers, and tomatoes, vitamin C is widely recognized for its immune-boosting properties.
This mighty nutrient has certainly earned a stellar reputation. But did you know there's a groundbreaking method to supercharge its benefits? Enter intravenous (IV) therapy, a cutting-edge, science-backed technique that delivers a concentrated dose of vitamin C directly into your bloodstream.
What to expect
IV therapy is extremely effective because the substance is delivered directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. I’ll be here to guide you through the experience. You may experience a brief pinching sensation as the needle is inserted into the vein. Our IV room isn't just a space, it's an oasis of tranquility. Imagine cozy sofa chairs that cradle you in comfort and soothing tunes playing softly in the background. It's a rest for your senses while you reap the clinical benefits.
Why IV?
High dose vitamin C taken orally can give you a host of consequences: diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps and other gastrointestinal problems due to the effect of unabsorbed vitamin C in the gastrointestinal tract. When you orally take vitamin C, only a small percentage is absorbed by the body, while the rest is excreted.
Benefits
Vitamin C is probably best known for helping to fight off the common cold. First off, it serves as a formidable immunomodulator, orchestrating immune cells, fortifying your body's defense against pathogens and bolstering its resilience [1]. Several studies have found that vitamin C in high dosages kills viruses by forming hydrogen peroxide and other radical substances [2].
Increasingly, vitamin C IV therapy is being used to complement conventional cancer therapies. Research has demonstrated that this IV treatment helps to improve the quality of life and decreases the side effects associated with cancer [3,4]. Another study reported that 22% of vitamin C-treated cancer patients survived for more than one year compared to only 0.4% of control patients [5]. The IV delivery of vitamin C is crucial, because plasma concentrations of vitamin C can be much higher with IV administration than that of oral administration [6].
Feeling stressed or tired? Vitamin C has your back. It's like a calming hug for your body's stress response, helping to keep cortisol (that pesky stress hormone) in check [7]. In a study examining intravenous vitamin C on fatigue in office workers, fatigue scores decreased in the vitamin C group after two hours of administration and remained lower for one day [8]. Trial also led to higher plasma vitamin C levels and lower oxidative stress compared to the placebo group. In a systemic review of patients with cancer, allergies, and herpes zoster infections, a reduction in fatigue and attendant symptoms such as sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, pain, and cognitive disorders was reported after intravenous vitamin C [9].
The benefits of Vitamin C are not just internal - they extend to realms of skin health, too. Collagen is a natural filler in the skin and as we age, collagen production decreases leading to the formation of lines and wrinkles. As a co-factor in collagen synthesis, vitamin C nurtures skin elasticity and rejuvenation, helping you access that inner radiance [10].
I can go on and on about the benefits of intravenous vitamin C, so here are more bonuses:
- Helps restore water balance
- Increases resistance to everyday physical stress
- Is required to make serotonin and other neurotransmitters
- Can support thyroid by regulating T3, T4, and TSH levels [13]
It's like a direct infusion of vitality, flooding your system with the good stuff. So, whether you're looking to up your immune game, rock that radiant skin, or simply boost your energy levels, Vitamin C IV therapy is here to help.
Considerations
IV vitamin C has caused very few side effects in trials. However, there are certain risk factors, such as a history of kidney disease. You should always consult with your health practitioner before starting an IV.
Takeaways
- Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is an important antioxidant
- It supports immune and skin health, as well as help combat fatigue and address cancer symptoms
I look forward to meeting you in the IV room!
Best,
Falecia
Questions? Call PIH at 609.512.1468 for more information
References
[1] Moore, A., & Khanna, D. (2023). The Role of Vitamin C in Human Immunity and Its Treatment Potential Against COVID-19: A Review Article. Cureus, 15(1), e33740. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33740
[2] Pauling L. The significance of the evidence about ascorbic acid and the common cold. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 1971;68:2678–2681.
[3] Vollbracht C., Schneider B., Leendert V. Intravenous vitamin C administration improves quality of life in breast cancer patients during chemo-/radiotherapy and aftercare: results of a retrospective, multicentre, epidemiological cohort study in Germany. In Vivo. 2011;25(6):983–990
[4] Yeom C.H., Jung G.C., Song K.J. Changes of terminal cancer patients’ health-related quality of life after high dose vitamin C administration. J. Korean Med. Sci. 2007;22(1):7–11.
[5] Cameron, E., & Pauling, L. (1978). Supplemental ascorbate in the supportive treatment of cancer: reevaluation of prolongation of survival times in terminal human cancer. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 75(9), 4538–4542. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.75.9.4538
[6] Padayatty S.J., Sun H., Wang Y. Vitamin C pharmacokinetics: implications for oral and intravenous use. Ann. Intern. Med. 2004;140(7):533–537.
[7] Hooper, M.H., Carr, A. & Marik, P.E. The adrenal-vitamin C axis: from fish to guinea pigs and primates. Crit Care 23, 29 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-019-2332-x
[8] Suh, S. Y., Bae, W. K., Ahn, H. Y., Choi, S. E., Jung, G. C., & Yeom, C. H. (2012). Intravenous vitamin C administration reduces fatigue in office workers: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Nutrition journal, 11, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-11-7
[9] Vollbracht, C. & Kraft, K. (2021). Feasibility of Vitamin C in the Treatment of Post Viral Fatigue with Focus on Long COVID, Based on a Systematic Review of IV Vitamin C on Fatigue. Nutrients, 13(4), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041154
[10] Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2017). The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080866
[13] William Jubiz , Marcela Ramirez, Effect of Vitamin C on the Absorption of Levothyroxine in Patients With Hypothyroidism and Gastritis, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 99, Issue 6, 1 June 2014, Pages E1031–E1034, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2013-4360