Vitamin C

 

 

High-dose vitamin C infusion therapy involves the intravenous administration of > 0.5g of

L-ascorbic acid or sodium L-ascorbate per kilogram of body weight.

 

The administration of high-dose vitamin C is attributed with various effects that cannot be achieved through oral supplementation alone.

 

At low, physiological concentrations (0.1 mmol/L), vitamin C acts as an antioxidant. However, at high, pharmacological concentrations (up to 20 mmol/L), it can exhibit pro-oxidative effects.

 

The route of vitamin C administration is crucial for achieving pharmacological concentrations.

 

High-dose vitamin C infusions are not suitable for individuals with:

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• kidney dysfunction

• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

 

 Functions of vitamin C:

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• water-soluble antioxidant: protects proteins, nucleic acids and cell membranes from oxidative damage

• immune competence: stimulates the immune system, extending the functional lifespan of immune cells

• collagen biosynthesis: converts the amino acids lysine and proline to collagen with vitamin C as a coenzyme

• wound healing: enhances collagen production, leading to faster healing of injuries, burns and surgical wounds

• histamine degradation: stabilizes mast cells

• anti-cancer properties

• endothelial protection of blood vessels

• increase of iron absorption

• detoxification reactions: antioxidant protection for cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes