If you were to name one key ingredient for IV therapy in Toronto, what would it be? If you said vitamin C, we wouldn’t be surprised at all!

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a powerful antioxidant that has demonstrated positive effects on blood vessels, healthy aging, cellular functioning, skin vitality, much-needed energy – this list could go on! Though we get it from eating fruits and vegetables, some individuals require additional vitamin C for their chief health concerns. In fact, people who suffer from chronic stress, post-disease symptoms, excessive physical exertion, thyroid conditions, or post-surgery effects may need vitamin C supplements added to their daily routine.

Intravenous vitamin therapy (IV therapy/IV nutrient therapy) provides the body with nutrients to relieve a nutritional deficiency or as adjunct support to manage certain health conditions. High-dose vitamin C is one type of infusion used by our patients. In this post, we list the advantages of ascorbic acid vitamin drips, as well as its precautions and side effects. We also discuss how new patients can access IV therapy drips from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre. 

Beneficial effects of vitamin C intravenous therapy 

Ascorbic acid is crucial for red blood cell production, especially for wound healing, immune function, blood pressure regulation, and the healthy growth of bones. But we can’t synthesize this nutrient, so a good diet combined with oral supplements may be vital for retaining optimal function. When administered as vitamin IV therapy, it may offer these benefits: 

• Complete absorption rate of vitamin C: Ascorbic acid IV drip therapy is directed into the bloodstream and bypasses the digestive tract, allowing the full absorption of nutrients. Oral supplementation may have limited bioavailability because your intestines must chemically break down the supplements prior to absorption. Actually, the oral absorption rate of ascorbic acid is limited by our bodies: “When given orally, ascorbic acid is well absorbed at lower doses, but absorption decreases as the dose increases,” confirms a paper from the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

• Naturally contains antioxidant properties: Did you know that vitamin C can fight free radicals and oxidative stress? These harmful components can trigger a lack of energy, depression symptoms, anxiety, memory issues, and the wrinkly appearance of skin. 
• Improves iron absorption in the human body: Ascorbic acid can support your iron levels, especially the absorption of non-heme iron. This is a different type of iron from plant-based foods, like leafy greens. 
• Can offer adjunct cancer care support: Vitamin C may help upgrade the quality of life for cancer patients, especially for reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. A Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research review confirmed that high-dose intravenous vitamin C may be taken as adjuvant support for cancer, which could have synergistic effects with customary chemotherapies. 

The risks of ascorbic acid intravenous infusion therapies

IV vitamin C can offer advantages, but the treatment may not be suitable for some. For example, patients with a G6PD deficiency should not be given this IV drip, as it could generate hemolysis. Here are some other risks: 

• High doses are not suitable for individuals with kidney malfunction. “Though some people may need to take a low dose of vitamin C, [ongoing large] doses of oral vitamin C may cause oxalates. Oxalate may stay in the bones and soft tissue, which can cause pain and other issues over time,” confirms the National Kidney Foundation.
• May interact with cancer-related medications. High-dose vitamin C is NOT a cure for cancer; if administered while taking certain cancer treatments, it could lessen the effect of some medications. Please consult with a functional medicine provider if you’re taking cancer therapies and would like to learn about adjunct IV ascorbic acid support.

Potential side effects

Like other IV drip treatments, ascorbic acid therapy drips may come with side effects, as you need to adjust to the IV solution. This is why sessions are closely supervised by registered health care providers, such as medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, or nurse practitioners. If it’s your first time getting IV therapy, your body may experience some awkward sensations – but medical attention may not necessarily be required. Please discuss these potential side effects with your health care provider prior to your first IV drip: 

• Headaches
• Injection site pain/swelling (mild bruising)
• Drowsiness, dizziness, feeling faint
• Feeling warm
• Hypoglycemia
• Hypothermia 

Inside our IV Lounge

Our personalized service of health care can address the root cause of your health concerns – and intravenous vitamin C, combined with lifestyle modifications and oral support, could play a role in improving wellness. This is because each treatment plan is specifically designed for biological needs – after all, no two patients are alike!

By applying the principles of integrative functional medicine, our private downtown clinic modifies IV doses of nutrients for your health goals. Next to ascorbic acid, we carry other key nutrients, including a combination of amino acids, vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, N- Acetylcysteine, glutamic acid, major minerals, major antioxidants, natural ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties, and other vitamin infusions such as IV therapy with Serine.

At your initial consultation, a complete diagnostic session will take place. We uncover your health history, current lifestyle, exposures to environmental toxins, and suggest functional medicine lab tests. Once we unravel your health status, we can customize a treatment plan with vitamin C IV therapy, Western medicine, naturopathy, acupuncture, herbal remedies, and/or other modalities. 

When combined with a healthy lifestyle and other functional medicine approaches, IV drip therapy could facilitate optimal health. Therapies from our practice may be adapted for various conditions, especially those related to liver detoxification, cellular damage, chronic fatigue syndrome, athletic performances, cognitive function (i.e. mental clarity, brain fog), chronic pain, mineral replenishment, muscle recovery, inflammatory bowel disease, insulin levels, blood sugar levels, hair growth, and more. 

Our health care team is currently accepting new patients – let’s help you reach optimal functioning! Vitamin C IV therapy from our Toronto clinic can be accessed in our IV Lounge – contact us for business hours and more information. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

 

References 

Bhowmik KK, Barek MA, Aziz MA, Islam MS. Impact of high-dose vitamin C on the mortality, severity, and duration of hospital stay in COVID-19 patients: A meta-analysis. Health Sci Rep. 2022 Aug 8;5(5):e762. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.762. PMID: 35949675; PMCID: PMC9358542.

Böttger F, Vallés-Martí A, Cahn L, Jimenez CR. High-dose intravenous vitamin C, a promising multi-targeting agent in the treatment of cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2021 Oct 30;40(1):343. doi: 10.1186/s13046-021-02134-y. PMID: 34717701; PMCID: PMC8557029.

Bruno, Eugene J. Jr MHS; Ziegenfuss, Tim N. PhD; Landis, Jamie MD, PhD. Vitamin C: Research Update. Current Sports Medicine Reports 5(4):p 177-181, August 2006. | DOI: 10.1097/01.CSMR.0000306503.32987.1e

Hazan S, Dave S, Papoutsis AJ, Deshpande N, Howell MC Jr, Martin LM. Vitamin C improves gut Bifidobacteria in humans. Future Microbiol. 2022 Dec 8. doi: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0209. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36475828.

Heaney ML, Gardner JR, Karasavvas N, Golde DW, Scheinberg DA, Smith EA, O’Connor OA. Vitamin C antagonizes the cytotoxic effects of antineoplastic drugs. Cancer Res. 2008 Oct 1;68(19):8031-8. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-1490. PMID: 18829561; PMCID: PMC3695824.

“Is Vitamin C Actually an Effective Cold Remedy?” from Discover magazine by Tree Meinch, posted on January 20, 2023, viewed on May 15, 2023. 

Padayatty SJ, Levine M. New insights into the physiology and pharmacology of vitamin C. CMAJ. 2001 Feb 6;164(3):353-5. PMID: 11232136; PMCID: PMC80729.

“Vitamin C” from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health’s Nutrition Source, last reviewed March 2023, viewed on May 16, 2023. 

“Vitamins and Minerals in Chronic Kidney Disease” from the National Kidney Foundation, viewed on May 16, 2023.