IV Drip For Cancer Care Support

It was not until the 1970’s when high-dose vitamin C sparked the interest of practitioners as a therapeutic agent for cancer care.

Interestingly, when the body is exposed to high-dose vitamin C, which can only be achieved via IV drip, it no longer acts as an antioxidant but rather a pro-oxidant by generating hydrogen peroxide that specifically targets cancer cells. 

Healthy cells can withstand the oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide because it contains enzymes called catalase and glutathione peroxidase that can break down high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. On the other hand, tumor cells are more susceptible to oxidative stress because they have low levels of both catalase and glutathione peroxidase. 

High-dose vitamin C is non-toxic to humans and normal cells but can be toxic to cancer cells.

High-dose vitamin C has also been shown to reduce various inflammatory cytokines in patients with cancer, which is significant as such anti-inflammatory effects contribute to an anti-cancer terrain within the body that is both protective and healing.

IVC has been studied in various cancer types including glioblastoma, ovarian, pancreatic, lung, and breast cancer with reports of improved fatigue, insomnia, appetite, bowel habits, and pain. It can be useful during or following chemotherapy, in cases of advanced cancer that is refractory to conventional therapies, or to prevent cancer progression and recurrence. 

There is convincing data for the use of IVC alongside standard cancer treatments to improve quality of life, minimize side effects of chemotherapy, improve treatment response and cancer outcomes. Although research for IVC in cancer is still considered preliminary, small clinical trials have demonstrated that IVC is generally safe and well tolerated with minimal side effects.

Are you eligible for intravenous therapy? To assess if one is a good candidate for IVC, proper patient screening is required. Doses of more than 15 g of vitamin C is not recommended for those with G6PD deficiency due to risk of hemolytic anemia. 

Therefore, all patients are required to test for G6PD deficiency prior to receiving IVC. Of note, IVC should be used with caution in patients with a history of kidney stones and those with iron storage diseases such as hemochromatosis. As part of a complete assessment, a
Naturopathic Doctor must also be aware of drug-to-drug interactions, specific drug metabolism and elimination, and evaluate your overall health status prior to beginning IV therapy. 

If you have any questions about how an IV Drip, or Naturopathic Medicine in general can help with cancer care support, please click here and book a free consultation. 

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30190680
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24867961 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5106370
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22963460
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24500406
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29771164