What is high-dose ?Vitamin C (also called L-ascorbic acid or ascorbate) is a nutrient that humans must get from food or dietary supplements since it cannot be made in the body. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps prevent oxidative stress. It also works with enzymes to play a key role in making collagen.When taken by intravenous (IV) infusion, vitamin C can reach much higher levels in the blood than when it is taken by mouth. Studies suggest that these higher levels of vitamin C may cause the death of cancer cells in the laboratory.A severe deficiency (lack) of vitamin C in the diet causes scurvy, a disease with symptoms of extreme weakness, lethargy, easy bruising, and bleeding. The lack of vitamin C in patients with scurvy makes collagen thinner in texture; when vitamin C is given, collagen becomes thicker again. What is the history and use of high-dose vitamin C as a complementary and alternative treatment for ?High-dose vitamin C has been studied as a treatment for patients with cancer since the 1970s.
A Scottish surgeon named Ewan Cameron worked with Nobel Prize-winning chemist Linus Pauling to study the possible benefits of vitamin C therapy in clinical trials of cancer patients in the late 1970s and early 1980's. Surveys of healthcare practitioners at United States CAM conferences in recent years have shown that high-dose IV vitamin C is frequently given to patients as a treatment for infections, fatigue, and cancers, including breast cancer. What is the theory behind the claim that high-dose vitamin C is useful in treating cancer?More than fifty years ago, a study suggested that cancer was a disease of changes in connective tissue caused by a lack of vitamin C. In the 1970's, it was proposed that high-dose ascorbic acid could help build resistance to disease or infection and possibly treat cancer.Later studies showed that the levels of vitamin C that collect in the bloodstream depend on how it is taken. How is high-dose vitamin C administered?Vitamin C may be given by intravenous (IV) infusion or taken by mouth, although much higher blood levels are reached when given intravenously.
Have any preclinical (laboratory or animal) studies been conducted using high-dose vitamin C?Laboratory studies and animal studies have been done to find out if high-dose vitamin C may be useful in preventing or treating cancer. Many laboratory studies have been done to find out how high-dose vitamin C may cause the death of cancer cells. The anticancer effect of vitamin C in different types of cancer cells involves a chemical reaction that makes hydrogen peroxide, which may kill cancer cells.Laboratory studies have shown the following:However, not all laboratory studies combining vitamin C with anticancer therapies have shown benefit. Combining dehydroascorbic acid, a particular form of vitamin C, with chemotherapy made it less effective in killing some kinds of cancer cells.Studies of high-dose vitamin C have been done in animal models (animals given a disease either the same as or like a disease in humans). Some of the studies showed the vitamin C helped kill more cancer cells:However, other animal studies have shown that vitamin C interferes with the anticancer action of certain drugs, including the following: Have any clinical trials (research studies with people) of high-dose intravenous (IV) vitamin C been conducted?
Several studies of high-dose vitamin C in patients with cancer have been done in recent years, including the following:Studies of vitamin C aloneStudies of vitamin C combined with other drugsStudies of vitamin C combined with other drugs have shown mixed results:More studies of combining high-dose IV vitamin C with other drugs are in progress. Have any side effects or risks been reported from high-dose vitamin C?Intravenous high-dose ascorbic acid has caused very few side effects in clinical trials. However, high-dose vitamin C may be harmful in patients with certain risk factors. Have any been reported from combining high-dose vitamin C with anticancer drugs?A drug interaction is a change in the way a drug acts in the body when taken with certain other drugs. High-dose vitamin C, when combined with some anticancer drugs, may cause them to be less effective. So far, these effects have been seen only in some laboratory and animal studies. No clinical trials have been done to further research these drug interactions in humans.
See Question 5 and Question 6 for more information on combining vitamin C with anticancer drugs. Is high-dose vitamin C approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use as a in the United States?The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of high-dose vitamin C as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition.Because dietary supplements are regulated as foods, not as drugs, FDA approval is not required unless specific claims about disease prevention or treatment are made. You are hereVitamins » Vitamin C Meet the staff of the Micronutrient Information Center. If you value this website, please help by donating to the MIC. The Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center provides scientific information on the health aspects of dietary factors and supplements, food, and beverages for the general public. The information is made available with the understanding that the author and publisher are not providing medical, psychological, or nutritional counseling services on this site.
The information should not be used in place of a consultation with a competent health care or nutrition professional. The information on dietary factors and supplements, food, and beverages contained on this website does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, and interactions. It is not intended as nutritional or medical advice for individual problems. Liability for individual actions or omissions based upon the contents of this site is expressly disclaimed. You may not copy, modify, distribute, display, transmit, perform, publish or sell any of the copyrightable material on this website. You may hyperlink to this website but must include the following statement: "This link leads to a website provided by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. [Your name] is not affiliated or endorsed by the Linus Pauling Institute or Oregon State University." Stage 4 of Chronic Kidney Disease A person with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) has advanced kidney damage with a severe decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to 15-30 ml/min.
It is likely someone with stage 4 CKD will need dialysis or a kidney transplant in the near future. As kidney function declines, waste products build up in the blood causing a condition known as uremia. In stage 4, a person is likely to develop complications of kidney disease such as high blood pressure, anemia (a shortage of red blood cells), bone disease, heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. Symptoms of stage 4 kidney disease Symptoms that are experienced in stage 4 include: Fluid retention, swelling (edema) of extremities and shortness of breath Urination changes (foamy; dark orange, brown, tea-colored or red if it contains blood; and urinating more or less than normal) Kidney pain felt in their back Sleep problemsdue to muscle cramps or restless legs Taste changesa metallic taste in the mouth Bad breath due to urea buildup in the blood Loss of appetite: People may not feel like eating, and some people report having a metallic taste in their mouth or bad breath.
Difficulty in concentrating: Having trouble doing everyday things such as balancing a checkbook or focusing on reading the newspaper can occur. Nerve problems: Numbness or tingling in the toes or fingers is a symptom of CKD. Seeing a doctor when you have stage 4 CKD At stage 4, it’s necessary to see a nephrologist (a doctor who specializes in treating kidney disease). The nephrologist examines the patient and orders lab tests to gather information to recommend treatment. People in stage 4 CKD will usually visit their doctor at least every three months. Blood tests for creatinine, hemoglobin, calcium and phosphorus levels will be done to see how well the kidneys are working. The doctor will also monitor other conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. In addition to helping the patient keep their kidneys working as long as possible, the nephrologist will also help prepare the patient for dialysis or a kidney transplant. Looking at treatment options when you have stage 4 CKD
Those with stage 4 CKD who will need treatment are told about their choices, including: Hemodialysis: This is a treatment that can be done in a center or in a patient’s home with assistance from a care partner. A dialysis machine removes a small amount of a patient’s blood through a man-made membrane called a dialyzer, or artificial kidney, to clean out toxins that the kidneys can no longer remove. The filtered blood is then returned to the body. Peritoneal dialysis (PD): Unlike hemodialysis, PD is a needle-free treatment and a care partner is not required to to help assist during treatment. PD can be performed at home or at work. Kidney transplant: This is a preferred treatment and does not require as many diet restrictions as those who are on hemodialysis or PD. Meeting with a dietitian when you have stage 4 CKD A person in stage 4 may also be referred to a dietitian. Because diet is such an important part of treatment, the dietitian will review a person’s lab work results and recommend a meal plan individualized for their needs.
Eating a proper diet can help preserve kidney function and overall health. Diet and stage 4 CKD For stage 4 CKD, a healthy diet is likely to consist of: Reducing protein consumption to help decrease the buildup of protein waste Consuming a some grains, fruits and vegetables (potassium and phosphorus are at normal levels) Limiting phosphorus to help PTH levels remain normal, prevent bone disease and even preserve existing kidney function Restricting potassium if blood levels are above normal Cutting back carbohydrates for those with diabetes Decreasing saturated fats to help lower cholesterol Lowering sodium for people with hypertension or fluid retention by cutting out processed and pre-packaged foods Limiting calcium if blood levels are too high Taking water soluble vitamins such as vitamin C (100 mg per day) and vitamin B complex, or completely avoiding over-the-counter dietary supplements (unless approved by the nephrologist)
Medications and stage 4 CKD It’s recommended that people in stage 4 keep their blood pressure at a healthy level and those with diabetes keep their glucose level under control. Taking all the medicines as prescribed by the doctor may help prolong kidney function. Managing stage 4 CKD In addition to eating right and taking prescribed medicines, exercising regularly and not smoking are helpful in maintaining health. Patients should talk to their doctors about an exercise plan. Doctors can also provide tips on how to stop smoking. The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) guidelines recommend starting dialysis when kidney function drops to 15 percent or less. By doing everything possible to help prolong kidney function and overall health, the goal is to put off dialysis or transplant for as long as possible. If you would like to see a doctor who specializes in the care of kidneys, called a nephrologist, you can use DaVita's Find a Kidney Doctor tool to locate a nephrologist in your area.