High Dose Vitamin C IV Therapy to Support Cancer Patients
Vitamin C is widely known to be helpful in boosting and protecting the body’s immune system. Consequently, many people take it orally as a daily supplement or when they are “under the weather”. Vitamin C is one of the most vital elements of health and well-being. Without it, the body struggles to perform a number of essential functions, including making essential neurotransmitters and structural materials such as collagen. However, there are far wider advantages of this powerful antioxidant, which are now being identified and better understood.
These benefits can be valuable to people undergoing treatments for cancer and related illnesses. In order to safely deliver the amount of Vitamin C to provide significant benefit, it needs to be given as a high dose IV therapy. The effects described here are not seen when Vitamin C is taken in tablet form because the body processes and absorbs oral Vitamin C in a very different way.
Anti-cancer Agent
High dose Vitamin C IV therapy has been widely studied since the 1970s as a potentially potent anti-cancer agent. Trials have been carried out in a wide variety of cancers, including lung, breast, colon, ovarian, prostate and thyroid, as well as leukaemia and melanoma. There is now evidence that various types of tumour cells can be eradicated and tumour growth delayed.
The precise mechanisms involved are still being identified but it is suggested that among other actions, Vitamin C enhances and supports the cells of the body’s immune system. In addition, the concept of “synergy” between standard cancer treatments and Vitamin C is an area of much promising research. In other words, high dose Vitamin C can complement the effects of standard cancer treatments to deliver enhanced results.
Relief of Symptoms and Side Effects
Observational studies have confirmed that cancer patients are frequently deficient in vitamins and specifically in Vitamin C, as these patients have a greater need for its anti-inflammatory properties. This situation may be exacerbated by some commonly used chemotherapy treatment regimens. Research shows that high dose Vitamin C can relieve a range of symptoms experienced by cancer patients, including those caused by standard oncology treatment regimens.
Studies have reported positive impacts on pain, nausea, fatigue, sleep, depression and appetite, all of which are common side effects associated with cancers and their treatment. Importantly, in patients undergoing standard treatment for cancer, high dose Vitamin C therapy has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated while delivering benefits that improve quality of life.
In palliative care, high dose Vitamin C is also gaining ground, partly because of its safety and tolerability. It has been shown to relieve pain and have a positive impact on well-being without creating any new side effects in terminal cancer patients who are receiving standard treatment.
Resources and further reading:
https://wellbeingmedicalgroup.com/services/intravenous-iv-infusion-therapy/high-dose-vitamin-c/