Vitamin C IV Therapy for At Risk Patients in Toronto

People who are healthy have a better quality of life and experience more happiness. It also makes an important contribution to economic development because healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and save more.

But what does it mean to be healthy? Most people would say that being healthy means having a body that functions properly. And while that’s true, there’s more to it than that. Being healthy also means having a balanced diet and getting the right nutrients because a deficiency may result to conditions and diseases which can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or lifestyle.

One of the most important nutrients our body needs is vitamin C. It’s a water-soluble vitamin that can be found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, and leafy greens. It’s also an antioxidant that helps boost our immune system, promote healthy skin, and absorb iron from plant-based foods. Unfortunately, not everyone gets enough vitamin C. In fact, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, about one in every two Americans has a vitamin C deficiency. Cancer, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases are the leading causes of death in the United States, and the lack of vitamin C plays a huge role in these diseases.

So where can you find support if you are struggling with your health needs? The fastest way is to check if there is a vitamin C IV therapy near you. If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, vitamin C drip therapy is a popular treatment offered by IV therapy Toronto clinics such as the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre. But first, it is important to learn about the common health conditions and diseases caused by this deficiency, and what you can do to prevent, manage, or treat them.

It is primarily caused by genetic mutations that promote uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation. It is associated with a variety of risk factors, including tobacco smoking, alcohol intake, an unhealthy diet, inactivity, and air pollution. Carcinogenic elements present in the environment may also contribute. For example, even if you don't smoke, you may breathe in secondhand smoke if you go to a place where people are smoking or live with someone who does. Furthermore, chemicals found in your home or place of business, such as asbestos and benzene, are linked to a higher risk of cancer.

According to the Linus Pauling Institute, high dose IV vitamin C can help to protect against cancer by reducing chronic inflammation, boosting your immune function, regulating cell proliferation and differentiation and detoxifying carcinogens.

People who are 65 or older, especially smokers, are at higher risk of developing stroke. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to your brain is interrupted, depriving it of oxygen. This can happen if a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, which causes damage or death to brain cells. Vitamin C is thought to protect against stroke by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as improving blood vessel function.

Anemia, a condition where your blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells, is another common health problem caused by vitamin C deficiency. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Without enough vitamin C, your body can't make enough of a protein called collagen, which is essential for the formation of new red blood cells. Anemia is diagnosed with a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test, and symptoms present as fatigue, weakness, pale or yellowish skin, irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, cold hands and feet. Treatments vary depending on the cause. With vitamin deficiency anemia, increasing folic acid and vitamin C supplements are essential. If you have difficulty swallowing, IV therapy with vitamin C is highly recommended.

As for chronic respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis and emphysema, low levels of vitamin C can make the healing process much more difficult. A study done in 2010 found that vitamin C reduced symptoms and improved the quality of life for those with chronic respiratory diseases. Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities, wheezing, feeling of tightness in the chest, a chronic cough that may produce mucus (sputum) that may be clear, white, yellow or greenish, and frequent respiratory infections are commonly experienced.

Significant risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases include smoking (especially second-hand smoke), air pollution, allergens, and occupational hazards. Outdoor air pollution such as smoke from chimneys or vehicles on the street, and indoor air pollution often caused by cooking with solid fuels, are also common causes. Avoid frequent exposure to these elements as much as you can.

Scurvy also happens when you lack vitamin C. It used to be common among sailors who often went on long voyages without fresh fruits or vegetables. Symptoms of scurvy include fatigue, malaise, depression and irritability, bruising, rash, and bleeding gums. The disease is now rare, but it's still seen in people with poor diets and those who have difficulty absorbing nutrients from food (malabsorption syndrome).

Therefore, getting an intravenous infusion of Vitamin C is perfect for patients with GI problems. Since IV therapy bypasses the stomach and intestines, it can provide high doses of nutrients without the patient suffering any gastrointestinal distress. For people who are able to tolerate oral supplements and foods, consuming citrus fruits and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower is encouraged.

Crohn's Disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can cause severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition. Studies have shown that people with IBD are more likely to be deficient in Vitamin C than those who don't have the condition. It is because the patients' ability to digest and absorb food is greatly affected. Crohn's is a serious medical condition that, if left untreated, may lead to serious debilitating health consequences - bowel obstruction, ulcers, fistulas, anal fissures. Please seek medical advice as soon as possible. Your doctor may not only suggest getting vitamin C IV therapy in your area, but a custom nutritional IV therapy program as well to address other vitamin and nutrient deficiencies.

Last but not the least, did you know that Vitamin C plays an important role in maintaining skin health? With its antioxidant properties, it promotes skin health by influencing collagen synthesis, a protein found in connective tissues such as skin, hair, joints, and others. That is why IV vitamin C is popular among younger generations for its anti-aging properties.

We've mentioned the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) in this post earlier. The clinic's IV lounge is located in downtown Toronto with have comfortable chairs, relaxing ambiance, and wifi services. Their health team is composed of a doctor, professional nurse and other wellness practitioners who will work with you in offering an integrative and holistic approach to disease treatment and management. For your vitamin C IV therapy needs and any other IV treatments, TFMC may be a good place to start.