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Vitamins and minerals

High-dose vitamin C — a treatment you won’t hear about at the doctor’s office?

Sources: 11 · Article: 13 236 characters

Andrzej Frydrychowski recommended 2 g of vitamin C every three hours and, in life-threatening situations, intravenous doses of 40–200 g per day.

  • At the same time, he claimed that intravenous administration at these doses is prohibited.
  • Jerzy Zięba described high doses as possible support for severe infections, but stressed that vitamin C does not cure them.
  • For kidney problems, he recommended cautious use under a doctor’s supervision.

What the authors write

Andrzej Frydrychowski

For a life-threatening infection, the passage recommends intravenous vitamin C doses of 40 to 200 g per day and claims that administering it this way is prohibited.

„In the case of an infection that poses a threat to life—for example, sepsis or a severe viral infection—vitamin C should be administered intravenously in doses ranging from 40 g to as much as 200 g/day. The only mistake we can make is giving too small a dose. And this is where the problem arises. Intravenous administration at these doses is prohibited.”W razie infekcji, przy której mamy zagrożenie życia – np. sepsa czy silna infekcja wirusowa – należy podawać wit. C dożylnie w dawkach od 40 g do nawet 200 g/dobę. Jedynym błędem, który możemy popełnić, jest podawanie witaminy w zbyt małej dawce. I tutaj pojawia się problem. Podawanie dożylne w takich dawkach jest zabronione.
Witamina C w postaci liposomalnej
Jerzy Zięba

High doses of vitamin C are presented as possible support in severe viral respiratory infections.

„To counter this, it has been shown that administering high doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid or ascorbate), in addition to standard conventional supportive therapies, is a safe and effective treatment in severe cases of viral respiratory infection.”Aby temu przeciwdziałać, wykazano, że podawanie dużych dawek witaminy C (kwasu askorbinowego lub askorbinianu), oprócz standardowych konwencjonalnych terapii wspomagających, jest bezpieczną i skuteczną terapią w ciężkich przypadkach wirusowego zakażenia dróg oddechowych.
Przegląd doniesień na temat witaminy C Jerzy Zięba
Jerzy Zięba

High-dose vitamin C is presented as possible immune support that may limit complications and shorten the course of a viral infection.

„To effectively fight the new SARS-CoV-2 virus, doctors should investigate readily available pharmaceutical and nutritional treatments with proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive properties. Supplementary vitamin C may also provide additional benefits in preventing viral infections, shorten the course of the disease, and reduce complications of the disease — source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7553131/.”Aby skutecznie walczyć z nowym wirusem SARS-CoV-2, lekarze powinni zbadać łatwo dostępne farmaceutyczne i odżywcze środki terapeutyczne o udowodnionych właściwościach przeciwutleniających, przeciwzapalnych i immunosupresyjnych. Uzupełniająca witamina C może również zapewnić dodatkowe korzyści w zapobieganiu infekcjom wirusowym, skrócić przebieg choroby i zmniejszyć powikłania choroby – źródło: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7553131/.
Przegląd doniesień na temat witaminy C Jerzy Zięba
Andrzej Frydrychowski

During an infection, the passage recommends 2 g of vitamin C every three hours and intravenous administration in life-threatening situations.

„When an infection occurs, the body’s need for this vitamin rises dramatically. That is why we must then give it in doses of up to 2 g every 3 hours, until the infection subsides. In the case of an infection that poses a threat to life—for example, sepsis or a severe viral infection—vitamin C should be administered.”W momencie infekcji zapotrzebowanie na tę witaminę rośnie drastycznie. Dlatego wtedy musimy ją podawać nawet po 2 g co 3 godziny, aż do ustąpienia infekcji. W razie infekcji, przy której mamy zagrożenie życia – np. sepsa czy silna infekcja wirusowa – należy podawać wit.
Witamina C w postaci liposomalnej
Jerzy Zięba

High intravenous doses are described as promising for treating COVID-19, but it is also stated that vitamin C does not cure it.

„From the article, you will learn that vitamin C does not cure, and you will also learn that high doses of intravenous vitamin C are promising in the treatment of COVID-19. Does that sound familiar? The article is dated October 13, 2020. It was published 7 months after I presented you, in March, with the information I had gathered about COVID-19 treatments and substances that doctors said should be used in medical procedures.”Z artykułu dowiecie się, że witamina C nie leczy, jak również dowiecie się, że wysokie dawki witaminy C podawane dożylnie są obiecujące w leczeniu COVID-19. Coś Wam to mówi? Artykuł jest z 13 października 2020 roku. Został opublikowany 7 miesięcy po tym jak w marcu przedstawiłem Wam zebrane informacje na temat metod leczenia COVID-19 i substancji, które zdaniem lekarzy powinny być wykorzystywane w procedurach medycznych.
Przegląd doniesień na temat witaminy C Jerzy Zięba
Jerzy Zięba

For kidney problems, the passage recommends using vitamin C cautiously and slowly, preferably under a doctor’s supervision.

„However, these forms of vitamin C neutralize free radicals (which is what we want in every case) at only half the rate of ascorbic acid. Because vitamin C is water-soluble, the kidneys quickly remove any excess. If someone has kidney problems, caution and very slow use of vitamin C are recommended—preferably under a doctor’s supervision.”Przy czym zdolność neutralizowania wolnych rodników tymi formami witaminy C (a o taką neutralizację nam chodzi w każdym przypadku) jest o połowę mniejsza, niż w przypadku zastosowania kwasu askorbinowego. Ponieważ witamina C jest rozpuszczalna w wodzie, nerki szybko wydalają jej nadmiar. Jeśli ktoś ma problemy z nerkami, zaleca się ostrożność i bardzo powolne stosowanie witaminy C – najlepiej pod kontrolą lekarza.
C – witamina ciężkiej wagi
Andrzej Frydrychowski

The passage cites claims about intravenous vitamin C being used to treat several infections, including a 1 g dose for malaria.

„Administering just 1 g of vitamin C intravenously caused the chills to stop immediately, reduced the fever, and improved the patient’s overall well-being (Lotze 1938). Readers will probably object that the literature is from that century. That is true, because in those years vitamin C was used and permitted.”Podanie tylko 1 g witaminy C dożylnie spowodowało natychmiastowe ustępowanie dreszczy, spadek gorączki oraz ogólną poprawę samopoczucia (Lotze 1938). Czytelnik pewnie zarzuci, że literatura jest z tamtego wieku. Owszem, ponieważ w tamtych latach witamina C była stosowana i dozwolona.
Czego jeszcze nie wiemy o witaminie C? Część 3
Jerzy Zięba

Intravenous vitamin C given together with chemotherapy was described in nine patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

„This treatment method was used in 9 patients with advanced pancreatic tumors. They were given intravenous vitamin C for a month while receiving chemotherapy. Their disease did not progress for half a year after the treatment ended. We need more experiments and studies like this, as well as publications.”Tę metodę leczenia zastosowano u 9 pacjentów z zaawansowanym guzem trzustki. Przy stosowaniu chemioterapii, podawano im przez miesiąc witaminę C dożylnie. Choroba nie poczyniła postępów w ich organizmach w ciągu pół roku od zakończenia kuracji. Aby więcej takich eksperymentów i badań, a także publikacji.
Przegląd doniesień na temat witaminy C Jerzy Zięba

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 4 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 751.

In a small randomized trial, adding intravenous vitamin C at a dose of 75 g three times a week to chemotherapy was associated with longer survival and progression-free time in pancreatic cancer.

Aim of the study: Patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have poor 5-year survival. Pharmacological ascorbate (P-AscH-, high dose, intravenous, vitamin C) has shown promise as an adjunct to chemotherapy. We hypothesized adding P-AscH- to gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel would increase survival in patients with metastatic PDAC.

Results: Intravenous P-AscH- increased serum ascorbate levels from micromolar to millimolar levels. P-AscH- added to the gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel (ASC) increased overall survival to 16 months compared to 8.3 months with gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel (SOC) (HR = 0.46; 90 % CI 0.23, 0.92; p = 0.030). Median progression free survival was 6.2 (ASC) vs. 3.9 months (SOC) (HR = 0.43; 90 % CI 0.20, 0.92; p = 0.029). Adding P-AscH- did not negatively impact quality of life or increase the frequency or severity of adverse events. P-AscH- infusions of 75 g three times weekly in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer prolongs overall and progression free survival without detriment to quality of life or added toxicity (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02905578).

A randomized trial of pharmacological ascorbate, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel for metastatic pancreatic cancer. · Redox Biol 2024
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studystudy with random allocation to groups (RCT)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

A meta-analysis of studies in patients with sepsis found that intravenous vitamin C was associated with lower 28-day mortality, shorter use of blood pressure-raising drugs, and a greater decrease in SOFA score, although the quality of the evidence was low.

Aim of the study: The adjunctive therapeutic value of vitamin C in sepsis or septic shock patients remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of intravenous administration of vitamin C in sepsis or septic shock patients through meta-analysis.

Results: Fourteen randomized controlled trials enrolling 1,958 patients were eligible for assessment. Meta-analysis demonstrated that intravenous vitamin C reduced 28-day mortality in sepsis or septic shock patients compared to the control group (RR 0.70; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.93; P = 0.02; I 2 = 52%), based on low quality of evidence, and subgroup analysis showed the benefit was driven by single-center studies, not observed in multicenter trials. Vitamin C shortened the duration of vasopressor use (SMD = -0.42, 95% CI -0.77 to -0.08, P = 0.02) and was associated with a greater reduction in SOFA score (MD = -1.04, 95% CI -1.83 to -0.25, P = 0.01), but did not reduce vasopressor dose, length of stay, or 24-h urine output. No significant adverse events were reported. This meta-analysis suggests that intravenous vitamin C might be associated with reduced mortality in sepsis, but the benefit was not confirmed in low-risk-of-bias multicenter trials and was primarily driven by single-center studies.

Intravenous vitamin C as micronutrient therapy in patients with sepsis or septic shock: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. · Front Nutr 2026
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyreview of many studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In mouse models, high doses of vitamin C slowed tumor growth and strengthened the effects of immunotherapy.

Aim of the study: Vitamin C (VitC) is known to directly impair cancer cell growth in preclinical models, but there is little clinical evidence on its antitumoral efficacy. In addition, whether and how VitC modulates anticancer immune responses is mostly unknown.

Results: High-dose VitC modulates infiltration of the tumor microenvironment by cells of the immune system and delays cancer growth in a T cell-dependent manner. VitC not only enhances the cytotoxic activity of adoptively transferred CD8 T cells but also cooperates with immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) in several cancer types. Combination of VitC and ICT can be curative in models of mismatch repair-deficient tumors with high mutational burden. This work provides a rationale for clinical trials combining ICT with high doses of VitC.

High-dose vitamin C enhances cancer immunotherapy. · Sci Transl Med 2020
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In a laboratory study of tendon cells, a high dose of vitamin C limited cell death and damage.

Aim of the study: Tendinopathy is an aging-related disease, often caused by micro-scarring and degeneration due to overuse or trauma. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplementation is reported to be a useful treatment for tendinopathy recovery.

Results: The cytoskeleton was maintained in the HC group but not in the C group. qPCR analysis revealed that p16 expression was inhibited in both the C and HC groups compared to the H2O2 group; other markers had increased expression. The progression of cell death and cytoskeletal disruption was inhibited by the administration of high-dose vitamin C. Hence, high-dose vitamin C is a potential treatment for tendon cell degeneration.

Effect of High-Dose Vitamin C on Tendon Cell Degeneration-An In Vitro Study. · Int J Mol Sci 2024
Money for the studycompany together with others · The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan, Kanazawa Medical University
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Perspectives and opinion materials

The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.

Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„High dose Intravenous vitamin C (30 g/day or higher) is great, although this requires a physician's supervision. If used early and in sufficient doses, the high dose regular vitamin C powder or good quality liposomal vitamin C suffice. Vitamin D3: regular vitamin D3 supplements available on the market should suffice. For severe cases, I often give high dose vitamin D3 (as high as 50,000 to 60,000 IU by mouth right away). Vitamin D3 actually is quite safe even at high doses. Vitamin E: Vitamin E consists of several different forms. Find a quality brand that you trust. A good natural form is "mixed tocopherols".”High dose Intravenous vitamin C (30 g/day or higher) is great, although this requires a physician's supervision. If used early and in sufficient doses, the high dose regular vitamin C powder or good quality liposomal vitamin C suffice. Vitamin D3: regular vitamin D3 supplements available on the market should suffice. For severe cases, I often give high dose vitamin D3 (as high as 50,000 to 60,000 IU by mouth right away). Vitamin D3 actually is quite safe even at high doses. Vitamin E: Vitamin E consists of several different forms. Find a quality brand that you trust. A good natural form is "mixed tocopherols".
A Hallmark of Covid-19: Cytokine Storm/Oxidative Stress and its Integrative Mechanism
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„We know high-dose vitamin C may have pro-oxidant activity, but if the dosage is too high (And what defines too high?), would this add a pro-oxidant effect to an already elevated oxidative stress? With protocols specifying 30-50 grams of IVC, how can this dose be scientifically justified? Further, the existing data from many decades of studies show that oral vitamin C can prevent viral infection. It would be helpful for an NIH panel to further study the prevention of COVID-19 with oral vitamin C by pushing the oral dose higher. COVID-19 infection seems to linger around for a longer time than the common cold.”We know high-dose vitamin C may have pro-oxidant activity, but if the dosage is too high (And what defines too high?), would this add a pro-oxidant effect to an already elevated oxidative stress? With protocols specifying 30-50 grams of IVC, how can this dose be scientifically justified? Further, the existing data from many decades of studies show that oral vitamin C can prevent viral infection. It would be helpful for an NIH panel to further study the prevention of COVID-19 with oral vitamin C by pushing the oral dose higher. COVID-19 infection seems to linger around for a longer time than the common cold.
Rationale for Vitamin C Treatment of COVID-19 and Other Viruses
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
Published Research and Articles on Vitamin C as a Consideration for Pneumonia, Lung Infections, and the Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19)

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