Vitamin C infusion
The antioxidant functions of Vitamin C have piqued the interest in its use in hospital intensive care units. It is widely known that Vitamin C protects important organ systems (cardiovascular, neurologic and renal systems) during inflammation and oxidative stress. It also plays an important role in coagulation and inflammation. Recently, researchers have been looking at its application in preventing organ damage and healing promotion during periods of extreme physical stress, such as shock, trauma, and surgery.
The current evidence of vitamin C’s beneficial effects on the body while it tries to heal from the inflammatory effects that occur with acute stress (such as infections, trauma, burns, heart attacks and major surgery) is making some in the healthcare community question whether the use of vitamin C might be especially beneficial for patients in the ICU, not just during the recovery phase at home. In an article published by Nutrients. 2018 Aug; 10(8): 974, the authors reviewed “the current knowledge about the role of vitamin C in cardiac surgery patients with focus on its influence on organ dysfunctions. The relationships between vitamin C and clinical health outcomes are reviewed with special emphasis on its application in cardiac surgery. Additionally, this review pragmatically discusses evidence on the administration of vitamin C in every day clinical practice, tackling the issues of safety, monitoring, dosage, and appropriate application strategy.”
Vitamin C infusions are given for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, they are given in either at home or in the office when a patient is recovering from surgery or fighting an infection. High-dose vitamin C can also be given to help support the immune system’s fight against cancer.
Not everyone can receive IV Vitamin C, but it is so encouraging to see more practitioners with the idea to bring complimentary medicine techniques into our mainstream hospitals!
- Water soluble.
- Antioxidant in lower doses and a pro-oxidant, immune booster in higher doses.
- It’s a co-factor in many enzyme reactions needed for a healthy functioning body.
- High doses taken orally can cause diarrhea and frequent urination.
- High doses given intravenously avoid that side-effect.
- Cautions: Glutathione is needed for proper processing.
- Antioxidants can create MORE oxidants!
- Vitamin C potentiates the effects of some chemotherapy drugs.
- Vitamin C infusions are not given in the presence of any kidney disease.
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