Albuquerque, NM -- COVID-19 still threatens our community. Latest studies reveal Vitamin C infusions boost immunity as adjunct therapy against COVID-19.
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Vitamin C Infusion & COVID-19
Vitamin C Infusion is also currently the subject of studies in the treatment of various diseases. It has been included in clinical trials for COVID-19 positive patients as early as February 2020. This is due to the activity that Vitamin C exhibits against the inflammatory sequelae of infections.
Unlike the OTC oral version, a Vitamin C Infusion is injected into the bloodstream through a vein in your arm. This form of Vitamin C bypasses the absorption in the stomach and intestines. Higher doses and direct bioavailability dramatically increases the serum levels of Vitamin C where more and more research are leaning into its efficacy for COVID-19
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is one of the water-soluble vitamins that can be readily absorbed by your body. You are unable to synthesize ascorbic acid thus it must be obtained from external sources. The most common is through your daily diet. It scavenges free radicals, thereby acting as an antioxidant. This makes it an effective anti-inflammatory agent. It enhances your cellular immunity, as well as your vascular integrity. Because of these properties, Vitamin C has been consistently studied as part of the treatment and management of sepsis. Sepsis is the body’s response to an overwhelming infection wherein the body’s immune system causes it to attack itself. At times, it can cause multiple organ failure. Characterized by systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, sepsis is a life-threatening condition. It can be precipitated by bacterial and viral infections such as COVID-19.
The Link between Vitamin C Infusions for COVID-19
COVID-19 is a novel or new virus such that we still know little about the illness and its treatment. As of today, the medical community races against time to formulate a vaccine or and effective treatment regimen.
Although there is yet to be a conclusive evidence that Vitamin C infusions can cure a patient suffering from COVID-19, the good news is a this is very safe and results from current studies may come out as promising. Many hospitals, have already incorporated Vitamin C infusions into their COVID-19 treatment regimens including this protocol developed at Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Previous researches have shown that high doses of Vitamin C infusions may help patients with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome or ARDS, which are complications of COVID-19. Vitamin C infusion serves as an adjuvant therapy or an additional treatment to the primary treatment.
Vitamin C for the management of Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs)
Because of the high potential to act effectively against systemic inflammation, Vitamin C has been a constant part of preventive medicine.
This is especially true in the management of URIs. It has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections. Rather, Vitamin C helps to shorten the duration of the infection and alleviate associated symptoms by its mechanism of action.
Moreover, it is given in high doses acts as a prooxidant. Thereby it improves alveolar fluid clearance thus reducing respiratory symptoms due to inflammation. It also serves as an antioxidant, which improves epithelial cell functions.
This infusion may become a vital part of the management of COVID-19 infections. It continues to be a subject for further study along with other potential treatments.
6 Benefits of Vitamin C Infusion for COVID-19
Serious infections tend to deplete the body of antioxidants. Vitamin C replenishes these. It also helps the immune system to fight against certain diseases, viruses, and bacteria. Vitamin C is not a primary treatment of COVID -19. But, recent studies have shown that Vitamin C Infusions as an adjunctive care intervention can benefit patients in six ways:
1. Side effects are limited or non-existent
2. Patients recover earlier than expected
3. Patients spend fewer days on mechanical ventilators
4. Patients have better chances of survival
5. Patients’ stay in the ICU is shorter
6. Patients spend less on the treatment
Prevention is always important and the race has been on for an effective vaccine. Vitamin C infusions or oral vitamin C has been well-studied for its role in prevention of infections, so the official recommendation from many sources is to not take it due to lack of evidence.
If you do take oral Vitamin C, it’s for boosting your immunity, a proven health benefit. It also reduces your risk of many chronic diseases. It also has very few side effects, so the risk of taking it is very low. Loose stools is about the only concern with oral Vitamin C.
As this pandemic stretches on, with no formal treatment regimen in sight, Vitamin C intravenous infusions continue to look promising. For more information about Vitamin C Infusion Therapy and our Immunity Booster infusion with Vitamin C and Zinc, click below to book an appointment or call the Injection and Infusion Clinic of ABQ at 505-445-4300 today!
