Discover everything about high dose vitamin C. This important nutrient plays a vital role in many bodily functions and a deficiency may be making you tired
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential vitamin that we all need. This important vitamin is well known for its link to scurvy!
Scurvy may have been rife in the 17th century but it still occurs today (albeit somewhat rarely). It is a disease caused by a state of malnutrition, more specifically, from a severe lack of vitamin C over an extended period of time. It is rare in the UK but is on the rise again, according to data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre. In the US, studies (The Troubling Rise of Scurvy: A Review and National Analysis of Incidence, Associated Risk Factors, and Clinical Manifestations by Kristen N Reikersdorfer et al.) have shown a surprising rise in the amount of individuals with scurvy; increasing from 8.2 per 100,000 (2016) to 26.7 per 1000,000 (2020), likely a result of an increasing reliance on fast food.
Although vitamin C is readily available in many fresh foods, you may be surprised to discover that a high proportion of individuals in the UK do not have adequate vitamin C levels. Indeed, a study published in the Journal of Public Health looked at a sample of the UK population and found that an estimated 25% of men and 16% of women in the low-income/materially deprived population had vitamin C levels indicative of deficiency and a further fifth of the population sample had levels in the depleted range.
Some of the most common symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency include fatigue, bruising easily, unusual nail appearance (spoon shaped nails and red or vertical lines on the nail bed), dry skin, wounds that heal slowly, swollen joints, painful muscles and joints, gums that bleed a lot, tooth loss, anaemia, bumpy skin, and irritable mood. If you have any of these symptoms, you should not try to self-diagnose as the symptoms can overlap with many other medical conditions.
Vitamin C plays a vital role in many functions and systems in the body:
Helps maintain a healthy heart and cardiovascular health by improving blood vessel function and lowering blood pressure
Contributes to good eye health
Plays a part in maintenance of healthy bones and cartilage
Aids the body in absorbing iron more efficiently
Has a role in collagen synthesis which is needed for both the repair and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, nails, and connective tissue
Plays a role in the immune system, aiding production of white blood cells for fighting off infection, and contributing to effective functioning of immune cells
Prevents cell damage
Protects body from the negative effects of free radicals
Antioxidants are scavengers, finding and removing free radicals from the body’s cells and reducing the damage caused by oxidation, in turn protecting the body. Free radicals are produced when the body breaks down food or is exposed to toxins. When the cells don't have adequate amounts of antioxidants, this can lead to cell damage or death. This imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants is referred to as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the cause of many diseases, can speed up ageing, lead to inflammation, and can even damage the organs. And so antioxidants = good.
Stress, poor diet, toxins and environmental pollutants can also lead to oxidative stress.
In the UK, the NHS and World Health Organization (WHO) state that 19-64 year olds need 40g and 45mg respectively per day. However, everyone is different, and researcher Philippe Hujoel led a new analysis of the data used to determine the RDA and suggests more may be needed. After all, why have the minimum when the optimal could be better? Unfortunately, the optimal amount varies between individuals and there isn’t a one-size-fits all amount.
Vitamin C isn’t stored in the body unlike some other vitamins – this means that you need to consume it daily in order to maintain levels. Processed foods usually have very low levels of vitamin C. To get more vitamin C in your diet, try packing your meals full of fresh fruit and vegetables. Here are a few foods that are particularly rich in vitamin C and can easily be incorporated into your meals: oranges, peppers, potatoes, strawberries, broccoli, kiwi, and spinach.
As the body breaks down the vitamin C we ingest, around half is lost in the digestive process, meaning that only around half of the goodness can be utilised in the body. If your diet doesn’t consist of a varied selection of fruits and vegetables, the amount you are getting is likely very low.
Why would you need a high dose of vitamin C? If you have a severe vitamin C deficiency you may suit a high dose vitamin C IV drip. But even individuals with a moderate or mild deficiency may benefit from it. Examples of the types of people who may benefit from this treatment include: individuals who are exposed to toxins and pollution a lot; those who spend a lot of time in cities and who travel often; those who feel run down all of a sudden; those with known malabsorption issues (think Chron’s); those with chronic infections; those with gastrointestinal conditions or problems. If you are unsure, we would recommend speaking with your chosen health optimisation clinic to get their guidance on what would be most suitable for you.
Although you won’t usually feel any difference in yourself after a high dose vitamin C IV drip, you can rest assured the ingredients will be working hard behind the scenes to help improve overall wellbeing.
Although IV drips are generally low risk and vitamin C has many benefits as with anything, in excess, it can cause side effects including allergic reaction, gastrointestinal distress and diarrhoea. As such, we suggest choosing a doctor-led clinic so they are well equipped for dealing with issues should any arise, however unlikely. Harpal Clinic offers IV drips in London and carries out G6PD blood tests for those wanting high doses of vitamin C. G6PD is an enzyme found in the blood that helps to protect red blood cells from oxidative stress. High-dose vitamin C can impact these cells and so this blood test will confirm whether you have a suitable amount before undergoing treatment.
