While the verdict is still out regarding the efficacy of vitamin C as a preventive or treatment for COVID-19 (studies are currently underway), there is lots of promising research to date indicating the benefits of high-dose vitamin C supplementation for a variety of health concerns. Here at BESANA Health & Wellness, we will soon be performing IV Hydration therapy, including vitamin C supplementation, to help promote wellness and boost immune function for a wide range of patients.
Here are the answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about vitamin C:
Why is vitamin C important?
Vitamin C (also called L-ascorbic acid or ascorbate) is an antioxidant that helps prevent damage to your cells caused by free radicals. It also works with enzymes to help your body make collagen, a major building-block of your skin and body. Your body can’t make vitamin C, so you need to get it from foods, including oranges, grapefruit, papaya, peppers, kale and/or supplements.
Why do you perform IV therapy for vitamin C and other nutrients?
Your body gets much higher levels of nutrients when they are given by IV infusion rather than orally. In general, high-dose vitamin C given by IV has caused very few side effects in clinical trials.
Is vitamin C a possible treatment for COVID-19 patients?
Promising research indicates that vitamin C may help treat severe illnesses caused by COVID-19. Specifically, high-dose IV vitamin C therapy has been shown to lower the death rate among patients with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), two life-threatening illnesses that commonly occur among severe COVID-19 cases. Sepsis and ARDS are the most common reasons why severe COVID-19 patients get admitted to the intensive care unit, put on ventilator support, or die.
● In a 2017 study, high-dose IV vitamin C (along with thiamine and corticosteroids) was shown to lower the death rate among patients with sepsis, a severe infection that causes dangerously low blood pressure and organ failure.
● A study last year administered high-dose vitamin C infusion to patients with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which causes the lungs to fill with fluid. Treated patients had a lower death rate at 28 days following vitamin C therapy.
● Research is currently underway to determine if high-dose IV vitamin C infusions will help patients with severe cases of COVID-19. The findings may be available by this fall, so we will keep you posted!
Can vitamin C treat cancer?
Some studies of IV high-dose vitamin C in patients with cancer have shown improved quality of life, as well as fewer side effects from chemotherapy. Laboratory studies suggest that high levels of vitamin C may kill cancer cells.
In addition to vitamin C supplementation, we also provide an extensive selection of nutrients and will personally tailor your therapy to meet your unique needs. To learn more about IV Hydration therapy, please call 303.327.7300 or fill out our Contact Form and we will be in touch with you shortly.
Sources used in this article:
Treatments for COVID-19
