Each year, in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with antibiotic-resistance bacteria – 23,000 of them are fatal. This development of drug-resistant bacterial infections can be traced to the overuse of antibiotics leading to antibiotic resistance. However, with an estimated 200 million-plus antibiotic prescriptions written every year in the U.S., this very real threat of antibiotic-resistant “super bugs” does not seem to have slowed reliance on antibiotics. Yet, the solution is simple: research shows high doses of vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant – can successfully fight all kinds of infections. The incredible infection-fighting qualities of vitamin C, making it an excellent antibiotic alternative, are not a new concept. Dr. Frederick Robert Klenner, who first began practicing medicine in 1936, documented years of research on vitamin C benefits. His work is said to have inspired further research on vitamin C by Linus Pauling and Irwin Stone.
Results of his lifetime of research provide evidence that vitamin C diminishes infections and toxins, controls cancer cell growth, relieves depression, modifies pain and alters the path of many conditions, including ALS, multiple sclerosis, and reactions from poisonous bites, among others. In fact, Dr. Klenner found vitamin C to have tremendous therapeutic power, boosting the immune system, acting as an antihistamine, and neutralizing toxins. Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infection that affected 9 million people worldwide, killing about 1.5 million, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Today, TB infections that fail to respond to drugs as evidence of antibiotic resistance are an increasing problem, with 650,000 people now suffering from multi-drug resistant TB worldwide. In 2013, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University made a surprising discovery while studying how TB bacteria become resistant to a first-line TB drug.
According to results published in the online journal Nature Communication, the study revealed that vitamin C destroys drug-resistant TB bacteria in lab culture. The findings pave the way for a clinical trial, says lead author Dr. Williams Jacob. While the TB study’s results may have been surprising to the researchers conducting the investigation, it comes to no surprise to Thomas E. Levy, MD, JD. Dr. Levy is a board-certified cardiologist and has written six books on vitamin C benefits plus other health-related issues. “I don’t aim to be inflammatory, I just aim to be accurate,” explains Dr. Levy. “We’re very reluctant in medicine to use the word ‘cure’ because we have so many naysayers that want to come along and say you’re providing false hope. Well, where a cure has been clearly provided for a specific disease, repeatedly, with a specific therapy, and you don’t use the word ‘cure,’ you’re doing even greater harm.” Dr. Levy has reviewed extensive amounts of literature on vitamin C and says viral pneumonia, diphtheria and other diseases and toxins have all responded well to treatment with vitamin C. “You find me a toxin, I’ve got the cure,” he says.
Based on his experience, Dr. Klenner recommended adults take at least 10 grams of ascorbic acid daily and children under 10 years of age take at least 1 gram for each year of life to maintain health. Dr. Levy says sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid can be used as a cost-effective, well-tolerated form of vitamin C for keeping the gut mostly detoxified. But to achieve near-complete absorption, he suggests vitamin C products utilizing liposomal encapsulation technology as an additional option. In the case of acute infections and toxic states, Dr. Levy recommends intravenous sodium ascorbate, typically at doses of 50 grams or more, over several hours for most individuals. At the same time, he recommends also administering the liposome-encapsulated form of vitamin C orally. In the absence of intravenous sodium ascorbate Dr. Levy recommends sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid at levels up to bowel tolerance, and then the liposome-encapsulated form of vitamin C at the rate of several grams hourly.
Subsequent dosing should be guided by symptoms and clinical response. Intravenous therapies (other than chelation therapy) provides people with injections of therapeutic substances. People often receive intravenous antibiotics and diuretics at hospitals because pills are not enough. However, the range of these intravenous therapies is usually antibiotics, chemotherapy, steroids (cortisones), and diuretics (to increase urination). FWSI uses other types of intravenous therapies based on each person’s needs. Picture of Vitamin C Read Dr Bazzan’s new study on Intravenous Vitamin C and pancreatic cancer http://jdc.jefferson.edu/medoncfp/4/ What is Intravenous vitamin and mineral nutrient therapy? Intravenous vitamin and mineral therapy involves injections of vitamin and mineral solutions into a vein in the arm. Injections directly into veins provide a powerful route of administration and absorption. FWSI prescribes intravenous solutions with a variety of ingredients customized for each individual.
Normal or High Doses of Vitamin C We do not do hyperalimentation at FWSI. Why do vitamins and minerals need to be given intravenously? We frequently notice significant improvements when using intravenous therapy. Many patients who seek our help did not experience health improvements with medications and high doses of oral supplements. Generally, it can be useful to take vitamins and minerals orally, and we recommend that when appropriate. But, if vitamins and minerals are not adequately absorbed into the body, they are useless. Frequently, due to certain disease states that create intestinal malabsorption, patients do not adequately absorb vitamins and minerals through the gut, or gastrointestinal tract. This creates a situation in which patients do not experience the results they want. Another factor is too much supplement intake. For example, taking large doses of oral magnesium and Vitamin C can result in diarrhea due to effects on the bowel. Intravenous administration of magnesium, Vitamin C, and other vitamins and minerals does not have that effect, and the amounts given can be much higher compared to oral pills.
The rationale for using intravenous vitamin therapy is associated with two major factors. Absorption of intravenous therapy may be superior to oral pills due to limitations of the gut to effectively process therapeutic levels of various micronutrients. Higher plasma levels of various micronutrients can be established quickly with intravenous therapy thereby creating a deeper, faster influence on cellular metabolic processes, which leads to a better overall cellular function. We are trained to identify patients we know will not improve as much as they could without the intravenous route. This is a critical strategy in helping people who have had no prior success to finally improve using this modality. These individuals also feel better faster. How do Intravenous vitamins and minerals work? Intravenous vitamins and minerals work in various ways. Correcting nutritional and biochemical deficiencies Improving the function of cells and the immune system
Protecting cells from damage Many studies, including those in peer reviewed publications such as the New England Journal of Medicine [1], indicate that multivitamins may help supply basic biochemical building blocks frequently deficient in people with chronic degenerative diseases. For what conditions are intravenous vitamin and mineral infusions used? Patients with the following conditions have been treated and helped by intravenous vitamin and mineral infusions. Infectious conditions such as hepatitis, flu, viral diseases, upper respiratory tract infections Autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus) Cancer (as supportive therapy) Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis) Neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis Of note, intravenous vitamins and minerals can be used for health maintenance and disease prevention to help people stay healthy and strong. Are the intravenous treatments safe?
What are the side effects? How do people feel after intravenous therapy? Physicians have used intravenous vitamin and mineral treatments safely for several decades. All the components of the solution are compounds natural to the body, and generally pose no health risks. These treatments are much safer compared to the common intravenous treatments people know about such as chemotherapy and antibiotics. Pharmaceutical companies also market intravenous vitamin products. At FWSI, methods of delivery and quality of materials follow the same standards as in hospitals. Side effects felt at the time of infusion may include the following. Please note that these side effects are rare, and tend to resolve following cessation of the intravenous therapy. Irritation in the vein, secondary to infusate’s effects on the circulatory system Lowering of blood pressure Lowering of blood sugar Muscle cramps or weakness Arm pain at the infusion site These issues can be prevented when patient are well hydrated and without hunger prior to intravenous therapy.
Some patients bring snacks to eat while receiving intravenous therapy. FWSI recommends foods such as healthy snacks and fresh juices, or whatever may be appealing to you. Some patients may have fatigue and/or headaches for the first 24 hours following the intravenous therapy. FWSI requests that patients contact us in the days after intravenous therapy to report their body’s response. Most patients experience significant overall improvements. Overall generalized improvement of their complaints Subjective feelings of well being FWSI patients commonly report one of two patterns after intravenous therapy. People who feel better right away are usually “behind the 8 ball,” meaning they really need the biochemical ingredients in the intravenous and the physiology improves quickly. People who feel tired or unwell are generally in the process of detoxifying. When toxins are pulled out of tissues, they re-enter the blood stream. They remain poisons, but they are now on their way OUT instead of on their way IN.
Even when patients do not feel well at this stage, the process is one of healing and cleaning. After this period, an overall improvement in one’s sense of well being is generally reported. How often will I need treatment? The number and frequency of treatments will vary depending on certain factors. Current health status of the patient Response of the patient to the treatments A general estimate of treatments are decided at the evaluation appointment, and then a more specific number as we go along with the treatment plan. Most patients will require at least 10 treatments. Depending on the response, some patients will then go on to maintenance therapy with occasional treatments. For more information about the history and use of intravenous therapy, you may wish to read Dr. Allan Gaby’s landmark article History and Use of the Intravenous Treatments. 1. Eat Right and Take a Multivitamin, N Engl J Med 338:1060, April 9, 1998 Editorial N Engl J Med 338:1060, April 9, 1998 Editorial