Intravenous Vitamin C Clinic

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, an essential water-soluble vitamin, acts as a coenzyme in many metabolic processes. It is involved in many physiological functions including collagen formation and tissue repair (wound healing), immune function, metabolism of iron and folic acid. Due to our inability to make vitamin C we need to get it from our diet. Foods such as citrus fruits, peppers, berries, and broccoli are good sources. Currently, the RDI (recommended daily intake) is 30-60mg taken orally (NZ Formulary). This dosage is only for the prevention of scurvy and there is evidence that much higher dosages are very beneficial in preventing and treating disease.

The human body limits how much vitamin C we can absorb orally. High-dose vitamin C is achieved through intravenous administration. Research has shown that IVC can aid and help recover chronic fatigue syndrome(2), bacterial infections eg sepsis, pneumonia, cellulitis,(3) viruses such as glandular fever, shingles, cold/ flu symptoms(4) and wound healing for pre/post-op surgery (5). IVC is also a powerful antioxidant that has been used for decades in the treatment of cancer and cancer-related symptoms.

The mechanism by which IVC kills the cancer cells is under investigation but it is likely that it works in cancer in the following way. Although vitamin C is usually an antioxidant, in cancer it may function as a pro-oxidant (able to cause damage within the cancer cell). Vitamin C in combination with reactive iron molecules form hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). H2O2 is broken down by catalase (an enzyme). Cancer cells have 10-100 times less catalase making cancer cells more susceptible to damage from H2O2. Cancer cells have high requirements for glucose. Cancer cells take up vitamin C thinking it is glucose, as the structure is very similar. This results in very high levels of vitamin C in the cancer cells (6).

Currently, there are several RCT (randomised controlled trials) in progress using high dose IVC for the treatment of Covid-19. Covid-19 symptoms range from the common cold to acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS). Mortality generally arises from the cytokine storms of uncontrolled inflammation, oxidative injury, and damage to the alveolar-capillary barrier in the lungs, with secondary infection. IVC therapy provides immunity support as well as antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic effects (7).