The recommended daily dose of vitamin C 1000mg in adults, which can be easily met with eating 2-3 slides of orange or tangerine. However, the recommended daily dose is the minimal dose needed to prevent scurvy in healthy individuals and the appropriate dosage of vitamin C can vary due to individual differences or presence and severity of diseases. Therefore, from a medical specialist’s viewpoint, a more relevant measure would be the therapeutic daily allowance (TDA). On the same note, Robert Cathcart MD used the term ‘bowel tolerance,’ in which the TDA of vitamin C is defined as the amount that does not cause diarrhea. Cathcart argued that a suitable dose in healthy individuals is 3-4g and can go over 100g depending on the disease. I also recommend taking 3-5g of oral vitamin C daily. I induce diarrhea with high-dose oral vitamin C in patients with constipation to great patient satisfaction.  

 

Vitamin C has widely varying indications. Primarily, it is an antioxidant and immune support agent that helps fight fatigue and offers anti-aging, antiviral actions as well as improve liver functions. Second, it works as a major component of collagen to strengthen various types of connective tissues. Third, it chelates vascular wall calcium and helps improve circulation and prevent vascular diseases including atherosclerosis. Vitamin C is also beneficial in promoting tissue healing in dermatologic conditions and wounds. And recently, vitamin C is expected to play an important role in cancer therapy.

 

Unlike oral vitamin C, megadose IVC is entirely and directly absorbed by blood vessels, which promises better efficacy. Generally, IV administration of 5-30g of vitamin C is expected to have potent antioxidant effects (anti-aging, fatigue release, and strengthening general health). On the other hand, higher doses of 50-100g are used for inducing cancer cell apoptosis through the action of oxidized vitamin C (pro-oxidants), on top of antioxidant effects.

 

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Hue Riodan, MD (1932-2005) was the first to try megadose IVC in cancer for the pro-oxidant action. The Riodan Clinic in Kansas, US, is treating a large number of cancer patients using megadose IVC. In 2009, an in vivo study performed at Riodan Clinic found that cancer cell death was induced at the plasma vitamin C level of 400mg/dL or higher. Based on the results of this study, a method of estimating plasma vitamin C levels using body weight was developed (L.J.Hoffer et al. Phase I clinical trial of IV ascorbic acid in advanced malignancy. Annals of Oncology doi(10);1093, 2008). Using the formula proposed in this study, the peak plasma level of vitamin C can be calculated as shown in <Figure 3>. Using this rationale, cancer patients are given vitamin C doses that result in the peak plasma level of at least 400mg/dL.

 

 

Estimated plasma vitamin C levels (mg/dL)

= (Vitamin C dose administered g) x 375 / body weight kg

Figure 3. Estimated plasma vitamin C levels. 

-To be continued