IV Vitamin C

Description

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Humans do not have the ability to make their own vitamin C. Therefore, one must obtain vitamin C through diet and supplementation.

Function Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen, an important structural component of blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bone. Vitamin C also plays an important role in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are critical to brain function and are known to affect mood. In addition, vitamin C is required for the synthesis of carnitine, which is essential for the transport of fat to the mitochondria, for conversion to energy. Research also suggests that vitamin C is involved in the metabolism of cholesterol, which may have implications for blood cholesterol levels and the incidence of gallstones.

Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant. Even in small amounts vitamin C can protect indispensable molecules in the body, such as proteins, lipids (fats), carbohydrates, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) from damage by free radicals and reactive oxygen species that can be generated during normal metabolism as well as through exposure to toxins and pollutants. Vitamin C may also be able to regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin E.
Studies conducted by Linus Pauling suggested that very large doses of vitamin C (10 grams/day intravenously for 10 days followed by at least 10 grams/day orally indefinitely) were helpful in increasing the survival time and improving the quality of life of cancer patients. Most people cannot ever take 10 grams per day of vitamin C because it will cause diarrhea.
IV Vitamin C uses new technology that enables the absorption of large quantities of vitamin C without gastrointestinal upset.

Cardiovascular Disease
Vasodilation

The ability of blood vessels to relax or dilate is compromised in individuals with atherosclerosis. The damage to the heart muscle caused by a heart attack and damage to the brain caused by a stroke is related, in part, to the inability of blood vessels to dilate enough to allow blood flow to the affected areas. The pain of angina pectoris is also related to insufficient dilation of the coronary arteries. Treatment with vitamin C has consistently resulted in improved dilation of blood vessels in individuals with atherosclerosis as well as those with angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Improved blood vessel dilation has been demonstrated at a dose of 500 mg of vitamin C daily.

Hypertension

Individuals with high blood pressure (hypertension) are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Several studies have demonstrated a blood pressure lowering effect of vitamin C supplementation. One recent study of individuals with high blood pressure found that a daily supplement of 500 mg of vitamin C resulted in an average drop in systolic blood pressure of 9% after 4 weeks.

Cancer

Studies in the 1970’s and 1980’s conducted by Linus Pauling and colleagues suggested that very large doses of vitamin C (10 grams/day intravenously for 10 days followed by at least 10 grams/day orally indefinitely) were helpful in increasing the survival time and improving the quality of life of terminal cancer patients. Intravenous (IV) administration can result in much higher blood levels of vitamin C than oral administration, and levels that are toxic to certain types of cancer cells in culture can be achieved with intravenous but not oral administration of vitamin C because of gastrointestinal upset and/or diarrhea. IV Vitamin C uses new technology that enables the absorption of large quantities of vitamin C without gastrointestinal upset.

Diabetes Mellitus

Cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke) are the leading cause of death in individuals with diabetes. Evidence that diabetes is a condition of increased oxidative stress led to the hypothesis that higher intakes of antioxidant nutrients could help decrease cardiovascular disease risk in diabetic individuals. In support of this hypothesis, a 16-year study of 85,000 women, 2% of whom were diabetic, found that vitamin C supplement use (400 mg/day or more) was associated with significant reductions in the risk of fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease in the entire cohort as well as those with diabetes.
Food Sources
You should average at least 200 mg of vitamin C from your diet, the rest can come from IV Vitamin C supplementation.