What is all the fuss about you might be asking, when clinics and boutique vitamin drip shops all around the world are popping up, promising revitalization, a boosted immune system, youthful skin, or restored energy levels.
Popular with many celebs and supermodels as a pick-me-up before special events or touted as hangover cures for others. Even house call services are offered. You may have read or not about Kendall Jenner’s hospitalization after a vitamin IV drip she received caused a bad reaction. All the more reason to treat it as more than just a quick fix and find a reputable clinic and licensed medical professional with experience in IV administration and the right protocols.
For many individuals, maximum dose vitamin C supplement protocols are used to treat much more serious life-threatening conditions than a quick boutique vitamin C drip visit. High-dose IV treatment comes with many benefits but also many possible side effects. It should also be noted that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved of high dose IV vitamin C as a treatment for either cancer or other medical condition.
So how does high dosage Intravenous vitamin C treatment work?
Well, when Vitamin C is delivered intravenously, it bypasses the stomach and gut. High concentrations of vitamin C in the blood can only be reached through intravenous delivery. Maximum dosages vary across clinics, some offering dosages between of 10 grams (10 000mg) and 20 grams (20 000 mg) and others even higher.
This type of vitamin C can be used as a proactive protocol to maintain optimum wellness and also to treat more chronic conditions. The therapeutic benefits of Intravenous vitamin C were also explored by scientist Linus Pauling.
What to do before a high dosage vitamin C treatment
An evaluation should ideally be done prior to an IV vitamin C infusion which includes a test for adequate levels of the enzyme G-6-PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate-Dehydrogenase). Deficiency may mean red blood cell death (hemolytic anemia). 5 – 15 % of the population is deficient, which means special monitoring and a revised protocol would need to be followed and adhered to. Discuss the maximum dose of vitamin C supplement in detail with a specialist healthcare provider. Caution is advised when vitamins are mixed or combined in a cocktail. There is not a one-size-fits-all. Everyone is different. This discussion falls outside the scope of this article of course.
Benefits of maximum dose vitamin C treatments
- Revitalizing therapy
- Boosts Immunity
- Aids recovery
- Aids in healing
- Helps in the treatment of cancer
- Helps alleviate chemo side-effects
Side effects of maximum dose vitamin C treatment
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, there is no scientific evidence that larger amounts of vitamin C cause any adverse effects. Larger amounts referring to intake of up to 10 grams a day in adults. It suggests an upper intake of 2 grams a day to keep some individuals from experiencing gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea or nausea.
Then there is the issue of kidney stones and high dosages of vitamin C. Supplementing with vitamin C is known to increase oxalate concentrations in the urine, but whether these higher concentrations actually cause the formation of kidney stones is certain. People who have kidney stone issues should steer clear of high dosage (greater than 1 gram a day) vitamin C.
A high or maximum dose vitamin C supplement should not be taken by people who have hemochromatosis. This condition causes the body to take up and store too much iron. Taking vitamin C will exacerbate the problem.
As mentioned earlier, people with low levels of the enzyme G-6-PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate-Dehydrogenase) could be at risk of red blood cell death when taking vitamin C in high dosages.
With maximum vitamin C dosages, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Getting an expert’s opinion should be your first port of call when an upper intake of vitamin C is considered.
What do the studies say about high dose vitamin C treatment?
There are many studies and published findings on the benefits of maximum dose vitamin C treatment. Since the 1970’s the possible benefits of using high dose vitamin C as a cancer treatment for cancer patients have been studied. A surgeon named Ewan Cameron and his colleague Linus Pauling, a Nobel prize-winning scientist was at the forefront of these studies. Pauling was convinced of the value and benefits of vitamin C in targeting flu, cancer, heart disease, infections, and other aging-related problems. More on these two pioneers and their work can be found online at the Linus Pauling Institute.
Many studies and published work exists proving the many benefits of high dosage vitamin C treatments. There are many studies that focus on high dosage vitamin C and cancer specifically. This one focuses on antitumor activity, while another one shows how cancer patients’ symptoms are improved and their lives prolonged.
IV High dose vitamin C supplements
High dosage vitamin C intake can more easily be achieved using it in a powder form that dissolves easily. Powder forms are generally available in mineral forms or plain ascorbic acid. Choose the right form with the help of your pharmacist or doctor.
A new kid on the block, called liposomal vitamin C, makes upper-level intake of vitamin C easier too. Liposomal vitamin C is encapsulated in tiny microscopic spheres which facilitate faster intracellular uptake of their contents. Here are 3 of the best liposomal vitamin C you might like.
A good Liposomal vitamin C should have:
- High-quality ingredients
- The high concentration of nanoparticles
- Refined phosphatidylcholine
Last thoughts on maximum dose vitamin C supplementation.
If someone considers a much higher intake of vitamin C than the general daily recommended dosage, then it is usually to treat an underlying condition or super boost the immune system. Raising your vitamin C intake, orally through supplementation can help give you a boost when feeling fatigued, suffer from cold or flu, or need to detox.
Generally though, high dose IV vitamin C administration is associated with the treatment of more serious health conditions and diseases. Care should be taken when casually visiting a boutique IV shop for a lunchtime drip. Speak to your doctor or a health specialist when considering these types of treatments and ask as many questions in order to make an informed decision about your health.
Cautionary note: Not any of these statements have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The content of the articles and the products recommended are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health issue. The intention is also not to imply that vitamins or any dietary supplements are substitutes for a balanced diet or are in any way more beneficial or superior to dietary nutrients. It is also not intended to imply that general or normal health may be affected by not taking dietary supplements or receiving intravenous vitamin C infusions.
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Image credit: Carmine Furletti
