Megadose vitamin c benefits
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Benefits of Megadose Vitamin C
Megadose Vitamin C and Respiratory Infections
Prevention and Relief of Cold and Flu Symptoms
Megadose vitamin C has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence and severity of cold and flu symptoms. In a controlled study involving students, those who received hourly doses of 1000 mg of vitamin C for the first six hours and then three times daily thereafter reported an 85% decrease in cold and flu symptoms compared to the control group1. This suggests that high doses of vitamin C can be effective in both preventing and alleviating symptoms of virus-induced respiratory infections.
Megadose Vitamin C in Sepsis and COVID-19
Reversal of Organ Dysfunction
Vitamin C's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and immune-modulatory properties make it a promising treatment for sepsis and COVID-19. Studies have demonstrated that intravenous megadose vitamin C can dramatically improve clinical states and organ functions in sepsis models. For instance, in an ovine model of Gram-negative bacteria-induced sepsis, megadose vitamin C improved cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, and renal functions and decreased body temperature2 4. Similar improvements were observed in a critically ill COVID-19 patient, where intravenous vitamin C restored arterial pressure, improved renal function, and increased arterial blood oxygen levels2 4.
Megadose Vitamin C and Cancer
Adjunct Therapy in Cancer Treatment
High doses of vitamin C have been proposed as a valuable adjunct to conventional cancer therapies. According to Dr. Linus Pauling, daily megadoses of vitamin C can improve the general health of cancer patients, increase survival time, and provide significant benefits for some patients3. This suggests that vitamin C could play a supportive role in cancer treatment, although further research is needed to substantiate these claims.
Renoprotective Effects of Megadose Vitamin C
Protection Against Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Injury
Megadose vitamin C has shown potential in protecting against kidney damage caused by cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug. In a study on rats, vitamin C significantly improved renal function parameters and reduced oxidative stress markers, although it did not completely prevent proteinuria5. This indicates that vitamin C's antioxidant properties can mitigate some of the nephrotoxic effects of cisplatin.
Liver Health and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Improvement in Liver Histology
Vitamin C megadoses have also been found to improve liver histology in guinea pigs with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In a study, guinea pigs fed a methionine choline-deficient diet and supplemented with high doses of vitamin C showed significant improvements in liver cell structure and reduced signs of liver damage6. This suggests that vitamin C could be beneficial in managing NASH.
Impact on Glucose and Insulin Responses
Delayed Insulin Response
Interestingly, megadose vitamin C can affect glucose metabolism. In a study involving normoglycemic adults, high doses of vitamin C delayed the insulin response to a glucose challenge, resulting in prolonged postprandial hyperglycemia8. This effect might be due to the competitive inhibition of glucose transfer into pancreatic beta cells by high concentrations of circulating vitamin C.
Cancer Recurrence and Megadose Vitamins
Reduction in Bladder Cancer Recurrence
A clinical trial on bladder cancer patients found that those receiving megadose vitamins, including vitamin C, had a significantly lower recurrence rate of tumors compared to those receiving only the recommended daily allowance of vitamins. The 5-year tumor recurrence rate was markedly reduced in the megadose vitamin group9. This highlights the potential of high-dose vitamin supplementation in reducing cancer recurrence.
Conclusion
Megadose vitamin C has demonstrated various health benefits, including the prevention and relief of cold and flu symptoms, reversal of organ dysfunction in sepsis and COVID-19, protection against chemotherapy-induced kidney injury, improvement in liver health, and reduction in cancer recurrence. However, it can also delay insulin response, indicating a need for careful consideration in its use. Further clinical studies are essential to fully understand the therapeutic potential and safety of megadose vitamin C in different health conditions.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing and relieving the symptoms of virus-induced respiratory infections.
Megadoses of vitamin C effectively relieved and prevented cold and flu symptoms in a test population compared to a control group.
RCT
Large Human Trial
Highly CitedTherapeutic potential of megadose vitamin C to reverse organ dysfunction in sepsis and COVID‐19
Megadose vitamin C shows potential as a treatment for sepsis and COVID-19, improving clinical state and organ function in both animal and human studies.
Very Rigorous JournalA Proposition: Megadoses of Vitamin C are Valuable in the Treatment of Cancer
Megadoses of vitamin C, when given daily as an adjunct to conventional therapy, can improve general health and increase survival time for cancer patients.
Reversal of the Pathophysiological Responses to Gram-Negative Sepsis by Megadose Vitamin C
Megadose sodium ascorbate effectively reverses pathophysiological and behavioral responses to Gram-negative sepsis in sheep without adverse side effects.
RCT
Animal StudyRenoprotective effects of megadose vitamin C on cisplatin-induced kidney injury
Megadose vitamin C can provide protection against cisplatin-induced kidney injury by providing antioxidant activity.
RCTAnimal StudyLiver Histological Improvement After Administration of High-Dose Vitamin C in Guinea Pig with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.
Vitamin C megadoses show potential as a treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in guinea pigs unable to synthesize vitamin C.
Non-RCTAnimal StudyMegadose vitamin C suppresses sulfoconjugation in human colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2.
Megadose vitamin C suppresses sulfoconjugation in the intestine mainly by downregulating the expression of SULT1A genes.
In Vitro StudyMegadose of vitamin C delays insulin response to a glucose challenge in normoglycemic adults.
Megadose of vitamin C delays insulin response to a glucose challenge in normoglycemic adults, prolonging postprandial hyperglycemia.
RCTMegadose vitamins in bladder cancer: a double-blind clinical trial.
Megadose vitamins A, B6, C, E, and zinc significantly reduce bladder tumor recurrence in patients receiving BCG immunotherapy.
RCTHighly CitedBimodal Effects of Megadose Vitamin C on Adrenal Steroid Production in Man
Megadose vitamin C for a short period can inhibit adrenal glucocorticoid and androgen production in adult men, potentially blocking the steroidogenesis pathway.
Non-RCT