High Dosage Of Vitamin C

What Drugs Interact With High

A drug interaction is a change in the way a drug acts in the body when taken with certain other drugs. High-dose vitamin C, when combined with some anticancer drugs, may cause them to be less effective. So far, these effects have been seen only in some laboratory and animal studies. No clinical trials have been done to further research these drug interactions in humans.

• Combining vitamin C with an anticancer drug called bortezomib has been studied in cell cultures and in animal models. Bortezomib is a targeted therapy that blocks several molecular pathways in a cell, causing cancer cells to die. Several studies showed that vitamin C given by mouth made bortezomib less effective, including in multiple myeloma cells. A study in mice transplanted with human prostate cancer cells, however, did not show that giving the mice different doses of vitamin C by mouth made bortezomib therapy less effective.
• An oxidized form of vitamin C called dehydroascorbic acid has been studied in cell cultures and in animals with tumors. Several studies have found that high doses of dehydroascorbic acid can interfere with the anticancer effects of several chemotherapy drugs. Dehydroascorbic acid is found in only small amounts in dietary supplements and in fresh foods.

How To Megadose On Vitamin C

The efficacy of vitamin C depends on the size of the dosage and the length of time it is taken. Ideally, you would want a lot for a much longer duration. However, the question is, how do you go about it? Here are a few suggestions to start you off.

Keep in mind that if you suffer from a chronic condition or are on medication, its best to consult with your healthcare practitioner before starting any form of supplementation.

Vitamin C Benefits And Uses

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietician, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Vitamin C has been marketed for use to treat and/or prevent many conditions, from the common cold and COVID-19 to arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. Even so, there’s scant evidence to support most claims about vitamin C.

What researchers have learned is that vitamin C appears to play a lot of important roles in your body. The most beneficial aspect may be its antioxidant activity.

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Questions And Answers About Intravenous Vitamin C

How Much Vitamin C Should You Take

Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient with many vital functions in your body.

It helps strengthen your immune system, aids collagen production and wound healing, and acts as an antioxidant to protect your cells from free radical damage .

Vitamin C is also known as L-ascorbic acid, or simply ascorbic acid.

Unlike other animals, humans cannot synthesize vitamin C on their own. Therefore, you must get enough of it from foods or supplements to maintain good health (

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Supports The Immune System

The immune system needs vitamin C to function optimally. Dr. Thomas Levy describes this vitamin as the muscle of the immune system. Vitamin C helps with the production and function of several parts of the immune system. This includes phagocytes , leukocytes , and T-cells whose main role is to scan the body for infections and abnormalities.

Viral respiratory infections can be prevented with a megadose of vitamin C. The cells responsible for immunity accumulate vitamin C and use it to destroy invading viruses and bacteria. Research also shows that the immune system is weakened by inflammatory reactions to infections. With vitamin C, you can indirectly counter this by mitigating oxidative stress. All-in-all, vitamin C is essential for immune function and can help fight infections.

For more on the immune system, you might like to read: COVID 19 – What you need to know plus how to support your immune system.

What Research Has Shown The Benefits Of High

Have any clinical trials of high-dose intravenous vitamin C been conducted?

Several studies of high-dose vitamin C in patients with cancer have been done in recent years, including the following:

Studies of vitamin C alone

• Intravenous vitamin C was studied in patients with breast cancer who were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The study found that patients who received IV vitamin C had better quality of life and fewer side effects than those who did not.
• A study of IV vitamin C and high doses of vitamin C taken by mouth was done in patients with cancer that could not be cured. Vitamin C was shown to be a safe and effective therapy to improve quality of life in these patients, including physical, mental, and emotional functions, symptoms of fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, and appetite loss.
• Vitamin C has been shown to be safe when given to healthy volunteers and cancer patients at doses up to 1.5 g/kg, while screening out patients with certain risk factors who should avoid vitamin C. Studies have also shown that Vitamin C levels in the blood are higher when taken by IV than when taken by mouth, and last for more than 4 hours.

Studies of vitamin C combined with other drugs

Studies of vitamin C combined with other drugs have shown mixed results:

More studies of combining high-dose IV vitamin C with other drugs are in progress.

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Study Design And Participants

This was a retrospective cohort study of in-hospital patients with COVID-19 from January 31, 2020 to March 28, 2020 diagnosed and treated by our medical group in Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. This study was based on the approved guidelines for COVID-19 . Informed consent was waived by the board due to the retrospective nature of the study.

This study lasted from the time of hospital admission to discharge or death in hospital occurred. The hospital electronic medical records included the data of all patients from admission to discharge or death in hospital, the data during treatment with high-dose vitamin C was also included. In addition, the 28-day death of patients was recorded.

Effects Of Ia Of Vitamin C On Inflammation Markers

Figure 1 Schematic mechanism in which an IA of vitamin C could modulate specific functions of neutrophils , inhibiting pathways involved in the Neutrophil Extracellular Trap formation and reducing the uncontrollable inflammatory cytokine production in the alveolar space. Potential effects on reducing cytokine production have also been speculated in lymphocytes and macrophages. ROS, reactive oxygen species NFkB, nuclear transcription factor kappa B , inhibition stimulus dashed arrow, reduced effect or production.

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Enzymatic Activities Of Vitamin

The biochemical activities of Vit-C may be ascribed to its chemical characteristics, which can donate electrons to a variety of molecules. Physiological ascorbate, which acts as an anti-oxidant at micromolar concentrations, may reduce ROS toxicity . It may also act as a pro-oxidant at low plasma levels, which might be created via the i.v delivery of Vit-C . Surprisingly, Vit-C also serves as a critical co-factor for many enzymes, easily giving electrons to prosthetic metal ions to attain a complete enzymatic action . Overall, these proteins are divided into two categories: mono-oxygenases-containing copper and a-KG-, oxygen-, and iron-dependent dioxygenasesoxygen-, and iron-dependent dioxygenasesoxygen and iron-dependent dioxygenases )-dependent dioxygenases . α-KGDDs are iron-containing proteins that use oxygen as well as α-KG as an enzyme co-factor to produce succinate and CO2. α-KGDDs also catalyze various chemical processes involved in the construction of collagen, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha stability, carnitine synthesis, tyrosine catabolism, and protein, DNA, and RNA de-methylation . Accordingly, Vit-C is crucial for regulating a wide range of essential cellular activities.

Clinical Studies On Ivc In Combination Treatments

Most of the clinical studies presented in this section dose-escalated VitC to achieve 20mM plasma ascorbate concentrations. In general, this was achieved when administering 75g infusions at least 3 times weekly, and was not significantly further increased at 100g or more . For those studies administering per kg of body weight, amounts 1.0g VitC/kg were needed to achieve plasma levels of at least 20mM. We focus in detail only on those studies administering 1.0g/kg or75g and10g whole body dose .

Clinical studies combining chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Consistent with positive data obtained from animal and other pre-clinical studies, several of these phase I/II studies reported trends towards increased disease control and objective response rates, although all were underpowered for detection of efficacy. In the randomized trial of Ma et al. in ovarian cancer , the median time for disease progression was 8.75months longer with ascorbate addition to standard chemotherapy than in chemotherapy alone. Single group studies showed favourable OS and PFS compared to historical controls and institutional averages .

Clinical studies using VitC in combination with targeted therapy

While all these completed trials studied combinations of chemo- and targeted therapies only, 3 ongoing trials are now investigating the addition of IVC to targeted agents only .

Clinical studies using VitC in combination with emerging non-pharmaceutical therapies

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Can A High Dosage Of Vitamin C Stop Cold Sores From Forming

• Will Vitamin C Stop Cold Sores from Forming?

Caused by the herpes simplex virus , cold sores can be very painful. In search of both healing and prevention, people often look for alternative treatments that work. These options can sometimes include vitamins and home remedies for cold sores.

While many questions linger as to which natural treatments deliver results, high dose vitamin C does show signs of promise. This is not only true for vitamin C but other vitamins and supplements as well. It works best when used as a part of a healthier lifestyle, but theres no way to guarantee the prevention of an outbreak.

Critical phytochemicals, known as bioflavonoids, can also potentially help to prevent cold sores. This is especially true if vitamin C is working in conjunction with these potent super-antioxidants.

If youre seeking to give your health a boost, we recommend Herp Rescue Immune System Support. It contains vitamin c, L-Lysine, zinc, and other essential nutrients. Your body urgently needs all of these things to effectively fight off HSV-1.

Does vitamin c for cold sores work? We will seek to answer that question.

What Type Of Vitamin C Is Best Absorbed

The best vitamin C supplements are those that are high-quality liposomal vitamin C. Liposomal technology encapsulates the vitamin C in phospholipids that bypasses the special transporter and allows close to 100% of the nutrient to be absorbed by the body. Liposomal vitamin C, therefore, has a very high bioavailability.

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What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Ascorbic Acid

You should not use ascorbic acid if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a vitamin C supplement.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using ascorbic acid if you have:

• kidney disease or a history of kidney stones
• hereditary iron overload disorder or

Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use ascorbic acid without your doctor’s advice in either case.

Vitamin C For Colds Is A Cure

Vitamin C for colds? | Image Source: File Photo

The truth is, vitamin C is rarely harmful so thereâs no strict restriction on it. This only cements the notion that itâs a cure-all.

Thereâs a lot of misinformation out there on vitamin C because itâs safe, says Heather Mangieri, a nutritionist who works with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

If you really want to get to the bottom of this notion, you can trace it to Nobel-prize winning scientist Linus Pauling. He believed that vitamin C could cure numerous unrelated ailments. His belief persists to this day, and its one thatâs believed by millions.

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What Is Bioavailability

Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a substance that enters the circulation system upon the intake of a vitamin C supplement or foods. With traditional vitamin C supplements, only about 200mg of vitamin C can be used by the body because of having to pass through the digestive system and the special transporter.

Although common vitamin C supplements may boast high amounts of this vitamin, because of the limitation in how much the body can absorb, most supplements have low bioavailability and a large percentage of the vitamin is excreted.

Incorporating foods that contain vitamin C will help increase levels of this vitamin in your body. But, when taken in from natural sources, the bioavailability of ascorbic acid is high at lower doses, but as your dosage increases, it drops to below 50%. This trend has led some to a general belief that vitamin C should only be taken in smaller doses resulting in many experiencing low levels and possibly even a deficiency.

Unlikely To Cure Covid

However, in a separate article, Peter McCaffery, professor of biochemistry at the University of Aberdeen questioned the use of high-dose vitamin C in the treatment of COVID-19.

Writing in The Conversation, the professor said that while vitamin C does have some small effect on the common cold, its unlikely that taking large amounts of vitamin C supplements will cure a COVID-19 infection or have a large effect at all.

Referring to the clinical trials that used high doses of vitamin C to treat COVID-19, he said that even if IV vitamin C worked to shorten or cure COVID-19, it would likely only be a stop-gap before therapies directed at the virus, such as vaccinations, took over.

The most effective way to avoid the virus still remains washing hands, not touching the eyes, nose or mouth, and keeping your distance from anyone exhibiting symptoms, he added.

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What Causes A Vitamin C Deficiency

A deficiency occurs either from insufficient nutrient intake in the diet or increased losses due to poor absorption.

People who don’t consume various foods, mainly fruits and vegetables, are at greater risk of vitamin C deficiency. Smokers have a higher requirement for vitamin C, so smoking may also be a risk factor.

Additionally, people with malabsorption disorders may become deficient because they can’t absorb enough vitamin C.

Taking Supplements In High Doses May Lead To Kidney Stones

Excess vitamin C is excreted from the body as oxalate, a bodily waste product.

Oxalate typically exits the body via urine. However, under some circumstances, oxalate may bind to minerals and form crystals that can lead to the formation of kidney stones .

Consuming too much vitamin C has the potential to increase the amount of oxalate in your urine, thus increasing the risk of developing kidney stones .

In one study that had adults take a 1,000-mg vitamin C supplement twice daily for 6 days, the amount of oxalate they excreted increased by 20% .

High vitamin C intake is not only associated with greater amounts of urinary oxalate but also linked to the development of kidney stones, especially if you consume amounts greater than 2,000 mg (

Summary

Consuming too much vitamin C may increase the amount of oxalate in your kidneys, which has the potential to lead to kidney stones.

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Risks And Adverse Events

Adverse events related to HDIVC included nausea or vomiting during or after infusion of VC electrolyte disturbance and acute kidney injury, as described by Khoshnam-Rad . AEs and serious adverse events were observed and followed in accordance with the good clinical practice guidelines issued by the National Medical Products Administration of the Peoples Republic of China. If any severe adverse events were observed during infusion, the infusion was stopped immediately, and the patients vital signs were carefully monitored. All the AEs and SAEs were recorded in detail, and the causal relationship between the infusion and AEs was analyzed.

What Are The Side Effects Of Ascorbic Acid

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using ascorbic acid and call your doctor at once if you have:

• joint pain, weakness or tired feeling, weight loss, stomach pain
• chills, fever, increased urge to urinate, painful or difficult urination or
• severe pain in your side or lower back, blood in your urine.

Common side effects may include:

• heartburn, upset stomach or
• nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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