What is a vitamin C infusion?
In vitamin C therapy, an infusion solution containing high doses of vitamin C is introduced into the patient’s bloodstream via a vein. Unlike tablets or powders, which can only deliver a limited amount of vitamin C to the body via the gastrointestinal tract, this approach achieves significantly higher active levels in the blood.
When do you perform a vitamin C infusion?
The body cannot produce or store vitamin C itself. However, the vitamin is involved in many important biochemical processes in the body. These include, for example, detoxification reactions, the synthesis of messenger substances or tasks in the context of cell regeneration. A well-known vitamin C deficiency is the disease scurvy. Here, patients suffer from symptoms such as bleeding gums and frequent infections.
Some studies indicate that vitamin C improves the treatment outcome of chemotherapy or radiotherapy while reducing side effects. At the same time, fewer anticancer drugs appear to be needed in the process. High-dose vitamin C infusions are also thought to have a cancer-preventive effect. However, this has not yet been scientifically proven.
What are the risks of vitamin C infusion?
Side effects are also possible with the administration of vitamin C infusions. Among other things, hypersensitivity reactions and cardiovascular disorders with dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath occur very rarely.
Especially in patients with impaired kidney function, kidney and urinary stones can form, which can lead to severe pain and kidney failure.
What do I need to be aware of during a vitamin C infusion?
After a vitamin C infusion, you should drink plenty of water or tea to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
