High-dose vitamin C IV therapy is one of the complementary treatments we offer, designed to support traditional cancer treatments.
Our therapy is delivered in a professional setting where safety and patient comfort are our top priorities.
High-dose vitamin C IV therapy is a type of treatment often used alongside conventional cancer therapies. It involves administering vitamin C directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) line. This method allows for much higher levels of vitamin C to be achieved in the body than would be possible through oral ingestion.
Vitamin C, known scientifically as ascorbic acid, is a nutrient that plays a critical role in the body, including growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. Its functions encompass immune system support, collagen formation, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.
In the context of cancer treatment, high doses of vitamin C administered intravenously could have therapeutic effects. Research shows that at high concentrations, vitamin C can induce oxidative stress, leading to cell death in cancer cells while sparing normal cells. A study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine highlights that high-dose vitamin C impairs cancer cell growth and causes metabolic changes that are detrimental to cancer cells.
Safety is a key focus, and numerous studies affirm the general safety of this therapy for most patients, with manageable side effects. Side effects are typically mild and include fatigue, headache, and dry mouth, usually resolving quickly after treatment.
Patients opting for this therapy receive treatments in a clinical setting, supervised by a healthcare professional experienced in complementary cancer care. Each session lasts about an hour or two, with the frequency and total number of sessions varying based on individual patient needs and specific treatment plans.
High-dose vitamin C IV therapy represents a promising addition to conventional cancer treatments, offering patients a way to potentially enhance treatment efficacy and improve their overall quality of life. By understanding the potential benefits and how the therapy works, patients can make informed decisions about their cancer care options.
High-dose vitamin C IV therapy is a form of treatment where vitamin C is administered intravenously, allowing higher levels of the vitamin to reach the bloodstream than when taken orally. This method is thought to enhance its effectiveness, particularly in the context of cancer treatment.
Research has explored how high doses of vitamin C can produce hydrogen peroxide, a substance that can kill cancer cells. Unlike cancer cells, normal cells have the ability to break down hydrogen peroxide and prevent it from causing damage. This selective toxicity makes high-dose vitamin C an intriguing complementary approach in cancer care.
During your treatment sessions at our clinic, a specially prepared vitamin C solution is administered directly into your bloodstream. This process ensures that the vitamin is quickly and efficiently distributed throughout your body, targeting the cancer cells more effectively.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that vitamin C, when administered in high doses intravenously, can help in reducing the size of tumors and improve the health outcomes of cancer patients. Patients report feeling more energized and experience less fatigue after these treatments, highlighting the supportive role vitamin C can play alongside conventional cancer treatments.
Our clinic follows a rigorous protocol designed to tailor each treatment to the individual needs of our patients. This personalized approach helps maximize the therapy’s effectiveness while monitoring safety closely.
High-dose vitamin C IV therapy represents a promising addition to traditional cancer treatments. Our experienced team is here to guide you through each step, ensuring you receive comprehensive care tailored to your specific condition.
Increasing research is starting to show the myriad of anticancer properties, such as targeting vulnerabilities many cancer cells share, such as redox imbalance, epigenetic reprogramming and oxygen-sensing regulation[1].
A vast number of studies have shown encouraging anti-cancer activity of vitamin C at high doses in various cancer types [3]. The most investigated have been leukaemia [20–24], colon cancer [13–20], melanoma [21–25], pancreatic cancer [2, 19, 26] and prostate cancer [27–29].
Similar results have been described for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [4], breast cancer [29, 30], ovarian cancer [29, 31, 32], hepatocellular carcinoma [33, 34], malignant mesothelioma [35, 36], thyroid cancer [37, 38], oral squamous cell carcinoma [39], neuroblastoma [40] and glioma, including the difficult-to-treat glioblastoma multiform (GBM) [4, 41, 42].
One notable example of the progress in vitamin C pre-clinical research is the recent work in hard-to-treat Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog (KRAS) driven tumours, such as KRAS mutant colorectal cancer (CRC) [13, 15, 20].
Based on prior studies by Yun et al. [25] and Aguilera et al. [25], Cenigaonan- dia-Campillo et al. [15] used elevated doses of vitamin C (5–10mM) in KRAS mutant CRC tumours, both in vitro and in vivo. They showed that Vitamin C was able to target common metabolic aberrancies by decreasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) levels, as well as by dissipating the mito- chondrial membrane potential, which could sensitize KRAS mutant CRC cells to current treatments such as chemotherapy.
In the majority of cancer types, most of the in vivo studies have shown inhibition of tumour growth (40–60%) by using elevated doses of ascorbate (1-4g/ kg) either intravenously (IV) or intraperitoneally (IP) [13, 43–45]
According to research[47] a fully competent immune system is required to maximize the antiproliferative effect of vitamin C in breast, colorectal, melanoma, and pancreatic tumors.
High-dose Vitamin C modulates infiltration of the tumor microenvironment by cells of the immune system and delays cancer growth in a T cell-dependent manner.
Vitamin C not only enhances the cytotoxic activity of adoptively transferred CD8 T cells but also cooperates with immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) in several cancer types. Combination of this vitamin and ICT can be curative in models of mismatch repair-deficient tumors with high mutational burden.
More literature [48] states that mounting evidence indicates that Vitamin C has the potential to be a potent anti-cancer agent when administered intravenously and in high doses (high-dose IVC).
Early phase clinical trials have confirmed safety and indicated efficacy of IVC in eradicating tumour cells of various cancer types. In recent years, the multi-targeting effects of vitamin C were unravelled, demonstrating a role as cancer-specific, pro-oxidative cytotoxic agent, anti-cancer epigenetic regulator and immune modulator, reversing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, inhibiting hypoxia and oncogenic kinase signalling and boosting immune response.
Moreover, high-dose IVC is powerful as an adjuvant treatment for cancer, acting synergistically with many standard (chemo-) therapies, as well as a method for mitigating the toxic side-effects of chemotherapy.
In more scientific terms, research[49] has shown that due to vitamin C complex pharmacokinetics, only intravenous administration allows reaching sufficiently high plasma concentrations required for most of the antitumor effects observed in preclinical studies (>0.250 mM). Moreover, vitamin C entry into cells is tightly regulated by SVCT and GLUT transporters, and is cell type-dependent.
Importantly, besides its well-recognized pro-oxidant effects, vitamin C modulates TET enzymes promoting DNA demethylation and acts as cofactor of HIF hydroxylases, whose activity is required for HIF-1α proteasomal degradation. Furthermore, at pharmacological concentrations lower than those required for its pro-oxidant activity (<1 mM), vitamin C in specific genetic contexts may alter the DNA damage response by increasing 5-hydroxymethylcytosine levels.
These more recently described vitamin C mechanisms offer new treatment opportunities for tumors with specific molecular defects (e.g., HIF-1α over-expression or TET2, IDH1/2, and WT1 alterations). Moreover, vitamin C action at DNA levels may provide the rationale basis for combination therapies with PARP inhibitors and hypomethylating agents.
In palliative care, high-dose VitC is currently gaining ground due to its highly safe and tolerable profile. Not only is high-dose vitamin C known to relieve pain in cancer patients [6], vast clinical evidence suggests that it has a significant positive impact on patients’ well-being [1, 2-5, 7-10]. This might be due to the frequent hypovitaminosis and vitamin C deficiency in cancer patients [6, 11, 12], which are commonly enhanced by anti-neo- plastic treatments [3].
For instance, a retrospective, multicentre, epidemiological cohort study [3] showed amelioration of appetite, fatigue, depression and sleep disorders in breast cancer and terminal cancer patients suffering from a wide variety of cancer types that received complementary 7.5g IVC while being treated by respective standard regimens.
More recently, a single-center, parallel-group, single-blind interventional study also in breast cancer patients [13] showed a similar and significant reduction of symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, tumor pain and loss of appetite by administering 25g of IVC per week in addition to their current standard treatment. Favourably, no new side effects were reported after initiation of IVC treatment.
Moreover, another retrospective study showed that patients with radiotherapy-resistant bone metastasis did not only have less pain and better performance measures when given high-dose VitC, they had a median survival time of 10 months as compared to the 2 months median survival time within the control group [7].
Overall, high dose VitC administered as a single agent has not only been shown to be safe and well-tolerated in cancer patients, but also to ameliorate pain and to improve quality of life in the palliative care setting.
High-dose vitamin C IV therapy is becoming a recognized support in the journey of those facing cancer. Administered directly into the bloodstream, it achieves much higher levels of vitamin C than oral intake could ever reach. This method allows us to provide a concentration of vitamin C that actively contributes to the well-being of our patients.
Direct and Potent Impact on Cancer Cells
Research indicates that high doses of vitamin C can have a toxic effect on cancer cells. Studies have shown that vitamin C, administered intravenously, can induce the production of hydrogen peroxide, a substance that can kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. A study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine explores how this therapy reduces the proliferation of cancer cells and enhances patient outcomes.
Enhances Quality of Life
Many patients report improvements in their quality of life following this therapy. Symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and appetite loss, often associated with cancer and its treatments, may be alleviated. This improvement in daily living can be vital for patients undergoing intense treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. According to research shared in the Nutrition Journal, patients experienced lessened symptoms and improved energy levels.
Boosts Immune Function
Vitamin C is vital for immune system function. High-dose IV vitamin C has been studied for its role in bolstering the immune system's response to fight infection and possibly improve outcomes in the battle against cancer. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition highlighted studies where immune cell activity was significantly boosted in patients receiving high-dose vitamin C.
Supports Overall Well-being
The benefits of high-dose vitamin C extend beyond direct anti-cancer effects. This therapy can also contribute to better cardiovascular health, reduced oxidative stress, and improved collagen production, essential for wound healing and skin health. An article from the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition discusses how these broader health benefits can support cancer patients not just during treatment but in overall life quality improvement.
At our clinic, we tailor the high-dose vitamin C therapy to each individual, considering their specific health needs and medical background. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing a therapy that supports your journey through cancer care, focusing on your comfort and well-being.
For those interested in exploring this complementary treatment, we invite you to reach out and discuss how high-dose vitamin C might play a role in your treatment plan.
High-dose vitamin C IV therapy is generally considered safe for most patients, but like any medical treatment, it comes with potential side effects and risks that you should be aware of before starting the therapy. Our clinic prioritizes your safety and ensures that you are well-informed about all aspects of the treatments we offer.
Safety Profile
High-dose vitamin C is administered intravenously, allowing for controlled and safe delivery of larger doses that are not achievable orally without gastrointestinal discomfort. This method of administration helps maintain the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract and reduces the risk of severe side effects. Clinical studies have shown that IV vitamin C therapy administered under medical supervision has a low incidence of adverse effects. A study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine highlights the safety of intravenous vitamin C in clinical trials, noting minimal complications.
Common Side Effects
While most patients tolerate high-dose vitamin C well, some might experience mild side effects. These typically include fatigue, dizziness, and headaches. Some patients report feeling mild discomfort at the injection site or temporary changes in skin sensation. These side effects are generally short-lived and resolve without the need for additional treatment.
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare but can occur. These include potential kidney issues, such as oxalate kidney stones. People with a history of kidney disorders or those predisposed to kidney stone formation should discuss potential risks with their healthcare provider. Another rare but serious side effect involves alterations in blood sugar levels, making it crucial for patients with diabetes to monitor their levels closely during treatment.
Allergic Reactions
Although uncommon, allergic reactions to vitamin C can occur. Symptoms might include rash, itching, or severe dizziness. Immediate medical attention is required if you experience any signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Monitoring and Management
Our clinic ensures that all patients undergoing high-dose vitamin C therapy are closely monitored. Regular blood tests are conducted to check vital parameters and ensure that the therapy is not causing any harm. Our medical team is experienced in handling and adjusting treatments as needed to maintain the highest safety standards.
High-dose Vitamin C IV therapy can be effectively combined with other complementary treatments offered at our clinic to enhance your overall care.
These treatments include Artemisinin IV Infusions, which leverage the cancer-targeting properties of Artemisia annua L.; the Antioxidant IV Drip, a custom blend designed to strengthen your immune system; Glutathione IV Drip, crucial for cellular detoxification; Helleborus Intravenous Therapy; and Mistletoe IV Therapy, each offering unique benefits that can support your treatment journey.
By integrating high-dose Vitamin C with one or more of these therapies, we can tailor a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and enhances your body's ability to heal and recover, ensuring a holistic approach to cancer care.
What is high-dose vitamin C IV therapy, and how does it differ from taking vitamin C orally?
High-dose vitamin C IV therapy involves administering vitamin C directly into the bloodstream through an IV. This method allows for much higher levels of vitamin C to be achieved in the body compared to oral ingestion, which can be limited by absorption factors in the digestive tract.
What are the potential benefits of this therapy for someone with cancer?
Research suggests that high doses of vitamin C can help in killing cancer cells, improve the quality of life, and reduce the symptoms of cancer treatment like fatigue. For example, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that vitamin C reduced toxicity associated with chemotherapy.
Is high-dose vitamin C IV therapy safe?
Yes, when administered by a qualified healthcare professional, this therapy is considered safe. Side effects can occur, such as mild nausea or dizziness, but serious complications are rare. Careful monitoring and personalized dosing help manage any risks.
How often would I need to receive treatments?
The frequency of treatments varies depending on individual patient needs and the specific protocol recommended by your healthcare provider. Typically, patients might receive treatments one to two times a week.
Can high-dose vitamin C IV therapy cure my cancer?
While high-dose vitamin C is not a cure for cancer, studies have shown it can be a valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan. It is used to help improve quality of life and mitigate some of the side effects of conventional cancer treatments.
How long does each treatment session last?
Each session typically lasts between 1 and 2 hours, during which you will be comfortably seated, and the vitamin C is slowly infused into your bloodstream.
Will my insurance cover high-dose vitamin C IV therapy?
Coverage varies by insurer and policy, so it's best to check directly with your insurance provider. In cases where insurance does not cover the treatment, we can discuss alternative financial arrangements.
How do I know if high-dose vitamin C therapy is right for me?
A consultation with our medical team is the first step. We'll review your medical history, current treatment plan, and overall health to determine if this therapy could be an effective part of your
References for IVC monotherapy in palliative care and quality of life (EOL)