High-Dose Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that our body cannot produce. It performs many vital functions in the body and has been linked to impressive health benefits. It is also nature's defender: it boosts immune resilience, supports vibrant skin and aids overall health.

 

A high-dose vitamin C drip is a specialized form of intravenous (IV) therapy. It delivers vitamin C straight into the bloodstream at concentrations far higher than can be reached with oral supplements, bypassing the digestive system for rapid absorption. The drip takes about 1 hour and is used for antioxidant and immune support.

 

What it is and how it works

Why IV rather than tablets

IV vitamin therapy delivers a high concentration of nutrients directly into the bloodstream to correct nutritional deficiency and optimize health. Oral supplements are sometimes ineffective because of poor absorption. An IV infusion bypasses the digestive system, so the vitamins are absorbed faster and more efficiently and the therapeutic effect is immediate.

 

This matters for vitamin C in particular. Because digestion is inefficient, especially as we age, only about 18% of the vitamin C we consume is absorbed. Delivered by IV, vitamin C is 100% bioavailable and fully able to support your body.

 

Oxidative stress and antioxidants

Free radicals are unstable molecules that the body produces in reaction to outside pressures such as the environment. An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body is called oxidative stress, and it leads to cell and tissue damage. Oxidative stress occurs naturally and plays a significant role in the aging process. An extensive body of scientific evidence links long-term oxidative stress to chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. If left unchecked, oxidative stress can damage and even kill cells all over the body.

 

Antioxidants are the substances that prevent or slow this damage, which is why they are sometimes called "free-radical scavengers". Some come from inside the body (endogenous antioxidants); others come from outside, from food or supplements (exogenous antioxidants). Certain plant-based foods are rich in antioxidants, a kind of phytonutrient. Important dietary antioxidants include:

 

• Vitamin C, a water-soluble antioxidant and essential dietary nutrient

• Vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that plays a critical role in protecting cell membranes against oxidative damage

• Glutathione, a powerful antioxidant made of three amino acids and found in every cell in the body

 

Vitamins are our main defense against free radicals: they help neutralize them and so prevent or minimize damage. High-dose IV therapy floods the body with vitamin C, promoting cellular health and reducing oxidative stress.

 

What is in the drip

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). A well-known, powerful antioxidant with a range of health benefits. In IV therapy it is given at much higher doses than oral supplements can achieve. The dose typically ranges from 5,000 mg to 10,000 mg, depending on individual factors such as your G6PD enzyme level.

• Multi B. A combination of B vitamins: B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folic acid) and B12 (cobalamin). B vitamins are crucial for converting food into energy and support the metabolic processes that give the body the energy it needs. They also play a vital role in a healthy nervous system, supporting cognitive function and regulating mood.

• Hydration fluid. A fundamental component of IV therapy that helps maintain proper hydration, which is essential for overall health. Hydration fluids often include electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride, which help regulate fluid balance, muscle function and nerve function. Proper hydration is essential for energy levels, skin health and organ function, and IV hydration can quickly replenish fluids and help you feel revitalized.

 

What it is for

• Immune support. High-dose vitamin C is known for its immune-boosting properties. IV administration can give a quick and robust immune response, which is particularly valuable during illness or high-stress periods. Vitamin C helps white blood cells function better, increasing your natural resistance to disease.

• Antioxidant power. Vitamin C neutralizes harmful free radicals, promoting cellular health and reducing oxidative stress.

• Energy and vitality. Some people choose high-dose vitamin C drips for more energy and overall vitality. It may combat fatigue and support optimal wellness.

• Skin health. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, which contributes to healthy, radiant skin. IV administration ensures efficient delivery to the deeper layers of the skin.

• Faster recovery. Athletes and people recovering from illness or surgery may use high-dose vitamin C drips to aid tissue repair and reduce downtime.

 

Scientifically supported benefits of vitamin C supplementation also include:

 

• It is a potent antioxidant that may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

• It may help battle high blood pressure.

• It fights heart disease risk factors, potentially lowering heart disease risk.

• It could reduce blood uric acid levels and help prevent gout attacks.

• It improves iron absorption, helping to prevent iron deficiency.

• It protects memory and thinking as you age.

 

Who it is for

• People who want immune support during illness or high-stress periods

• Athletes, and people recovering from illness or surgery

• People who feel fatigued and want more energy and vitality

• People who want to support skin health

• Smokers: smoking greatly speeds up free radical production, and smokers need almost 50% more vitamin C than non-smokers

• People with fatigue after COVID-19 (long COVID); see The science

• Older adults, who absorb vitamin C from food and tablets less efficiently

 

Who should not have it

The vitamin C dose is adjusted to your G6PD enzyme level. G6PD is an enzyme crucial for red blood cell function, and people with G6PD deficiency may need lower doses to avoid potential complications. Your doctor takes this into account when setting your dose.

 

The treatment

The drip takes about 1 hour.

 

• Screening. Before your first drip, your medical history is reviewed to check that the drip is suitable for you and to set your vitamin C dose (see G6PD above).

• The drip. You sit in a comfortable recliner chair. A small tube is placed in a vein in your arm; it feels much like having blood drawn for a lab test. The vitamin mixture then flows slowly into your bloodstream. Every drip is freshly prepared for you.

• Afterwards. The benefits are usually felt straight away, and you can return to your normal day.

 

The number of sessions is always set by your doctor after an in-person assessment. Several treatments can be combined on the same day, as your doctor advises. Other drip formulas can also be given at the same visit (see the FAQ).

 

Before and aftercare

• Eat. Please eat before your drip. Don't come on an empty stomach. Some vitamins and minerals can cause nausea if infused on an empty stomach, and a light meal or snack helps your body absorb the drip more effectively.

• Hydrate. Drink a few glasses of water before your appointment. You might think the IV will rehydrate you, but at a cellular level the infused minerals and vitamins are dehydrating, so your body responds better if you arrive hydrated. Veins are also smaller and harder to find when you are dehydrated.

• Wear comfortable clothes. A short-sleeved top, or sleeves that roll up above the elbow, is best. Wear comfortable trousers and socks, especially if you tend to get cold; we have blankets to keep you warm.

• Relax and breathe. Once you are seated, take a few minutes to relax. This releases nervous tension and prepares you for the treatment.

• Bring a book or music. Bring the magazines or book you have not had time for, or your favorite music with earbuds. This time is yours to enjoy.

 

Quality and safety

• Ingredients are imported through official distributors. We use only preservative-free vitamins imported from Japan and Switzerland.

• Every drip is prepared under strict safety guidelines, with sterile technique. Every drip is fresh and new.

• Your drip is given by a well-trained, experienced team, with a doctor on site for consultations and to ensure the best possible care.

• We use hospital-standard equipment.

• Your medical history is reviewed before treatment, and your vitamin C dose is adjusted to your G6PD enzyme level.

• Please eat before your drip. Don't come on an empty stomach.

 

The science

Vitamin C and smoking

Free radicals are a leading cause of cellular damage that can eventually lead to cancer and other diseases, and smoking drastically speeds up free radical production. Smoking causes the body to need almost 50% more vitamin C, a leading antioxidant and free radical scavenger, than non-smokers. In a 2017 study, a diet high in vitamin C was associated with a 26 percent reduction in the risk of lung cancer among female smokers.

 

Absorption: IV versus oral

Because digestion is inefficient, especially as we age, only about 18% of the vitamin C we consume is absorbed. Delivered by IV, vitamin C is 100% bioavailable.

 

Long COVID and fatigue

We have seen a sharp rise in patients experiencing lethargy and brain fog after COVID-19. These symptoms are often worse than the infection itself and interfere with everyday life.

 

Research suggests that many diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, may be caused in part by oxidative damage, which occurs when oxidative stress exceeds the capacity of the body's antioxidant defenses. Interestingly, many patients with long COVID have chronic fatigue symptoms very similar to those described in cancer and cardiovascular disease patients. Recent research has therefore focused on how oxidative stress may contribute to long COVID fatigue, and on long COVID treatment protocols that include potent antioxidants such as vitamin C.

 

Viruses can damage cells and tissues by altering the level of oxidative stress in infected cells. SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind long COVID, causes tissue damage by increasing oxidative stress in infected cells. The exact mechanism is still unclear, but research suggests that this oxidative imbalance may damage tissues involved in fatigue-related long COVID symptoms. High-dose vitamin C IV therapy can significantly reduce fatigue and fatigue-related symptoms, such as sleep disturbances and lack of concentration, in long COVID patients.

 

Frequently asked questions

How long does the drip take?

About 1 hour.

 

Why have vitamin C by drip instead of tablets?

Only about 18% of the vitamin C we swallow is absorbed, and less as we age. By IV, vitamin C is 100% bioavailable, and the doses reached (typically 5,000 to 10,000 mg) are far higher than oral supplements can achieve.

 

How much vitamin C is in the drip?

Typically 5,000 mg to 10,000 mg. Your dose depends on individual factors such as your G6PD enzyme level.

 

Is it safe?

Nutrients given intravenously are better tolerated than high doses taken by mouth. Placing the drip feels much like having blood drawn for a lab test. Your medical history is reviewed first, and the vitamin C dose is adjusted for people with G6PD deficiency.

 

Can I mix and match drip formulas?

Yes. Several formulas can be given at the same visit. Tell us which formulas you would like; if they are compatible, we combine them in a single bottle. If they cannot be mixed, we give them one after another, changing the bottle when the first is finished. Your safety and the effectiveness of the treatment are our top priorities.

 

Do I need to eat before my drip?

Yes. Please eat before your drip and don't come on an empty stomach. Some vitamins and minerals can cause nausea on an empty stomach, and a light meal or snack helps your body absorb the drip.

 

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