Vitamin C is an essential nutrient required for production of collagen, neurotransmitters, and key enzymes in the immune system.

Inadequate Vitamin C leads to scurvy, whose effects include weakness, fatigue, rash, bruising, bleeding gums, dental and hair loss.

Vitamin C is also essential for Iron absorption from non-animal sources and will benefit those with iron deficiencies to replenish iron stores.

To find out if you qualify for Vitamin C treatment is to have a chat with one of our specialist consultants.

Vitamin C IV Therapy is safe when administered correctly.
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The main risk to recipients is a rare genetic deficiency in the enzyme Glucose-6-Phosphate-Dehydrogenase (G6PD), resulting in a breakdown of red blood cells when doses over 30g IV Vitamin C are administered.

To mitigate this risk, your first infusion will not exceed 25g and we will submit a blood sample at the same time as your infusion to ensure you do not have the deficiency.

At Edison, we know that every individual’s health circumstances are unique.

So the best way to find out if Vitamin C treatment is right for you is to chat with one of our specialist consultants.

If you are receiving chemotherapy, we would need to take guidance from your oncologist. Generally speaking, we would give it 24 hours before or post-treatment before using Vitamin C to avoid interactions.

Vitamin C can reduce the serum levels of drugs such as Fluphenazine, amphetamines like Ritalin, Barbiturates, Phenothiazines (promethazine-antihistamine), Antabuse, Desferrioxamine (iron chelator) and Ethinyl estradiol (a part of the combined oral contraceptive pills).  

However,  Vitamin C enhances iron uptake, which might lead to you absorbing too much iron.

Vitamin C is often touted as a treatment for cancer. Whilst there is some evidence for this, several studies do not support these findings. The misconception has led to doctors not utilising this treatment option despite other studies showing benefits for immune, mental, and skin and connective tissue health.

The Vitamin C compound is a synthetic, factory-produced compound.

It contains no living cell material, and no-one was harmed or exploited in its production.

You can benefit from Vitamin C therapy with an entirely clear conscience.

The Vitamin C compound that we use has a limited shelf life and must be kept refrigerated at all times until it is added to the saline solution right before administering.

It pays to be wary of any practices that do not follow this process as the quality of the Vitamin C will deteriorate as soon as it is put into the IV solution unless used.

Just as every individual’s health circumstances are unique, so are the benefits of Vitamin C on every individual.

Vitamin C levels are reported to be elevated for up to 3 weeks after the infusion.

The Kidneys have the ability to reabsorb Vitamin C returning it to the bloodstream.

From a scientific aspect, Vitamin C works on a 1:1 ratio donating an electron to free radicals to stabilise/neutralise them.

Its ability to function is restored by glutathione, our body’s second most important (endogenous) antioxidant.

The most effective way to access the benefits of Vitamin C therapy is by intravenous infusion, which delivers this powerful compound directly to the bloodstream.

The infusion process takes around 40 minutes and is delivered by our trained medical team at our Clinic in Parnell, Auckland.

You’ll be greeted by our friendly staff, and given a range of entertainment options while you relax in our extremely comfortable surroundings.

Most of our clients have a snooze or watch a film or two while the therapy takes place.

While the Vitamin C compound has no reported long-term side effects, it is possible that some individuals may experience mild short-term discomfort during the infusion process.

We recommend talking this through with one of our expert specialists.  

Side effects are generally related to other conditions such as gout, G6P-Deficiency, or administration errors, such as local area infection, bruising, haematoma, or air embolism.

As with any form of supplementation, if you experience any prolonged discomfort or side effects, discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider.

It is possible to boost your Vitamin C levels through your diet, although not with the same speed and efficacy that Vitamin C therapy can achieve.

Fruit and vegetables rich in Vitamin C include;
- Vegetables (Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower, Green and red peppers.
- Spinach, cabbage, turnip greens, and other leafy green, Sweet and white potatoes.
- Tomatoes and tomato juice)
- Fruit (Oranges, Lemons, Cantaloupe, Grapefruit, Kiwifruit, Mango, Papaya, Pineapple, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, and Cranberries, Watermelon.)

For context, to get the same dose as you would in a single Vitamin C IV dose, you would need to eat around 390 Kiwifruit, which has one of the largest contents of Vitamin C.