Vitamin C: Oral vs. Intravenous, Immune Effects, Cancer, Exercise Adaptation & More

Podcast Notes Key Takeaways Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and supports many physiological processes including immune support, wound function, fatty acid metabolism, neurotransmitter production, blood vessel formationRecommended intakes vary according to age, sex, and life stages but supplementing with vitamin C is generally safe, well-tolerated, and has low toxicityOral vitamin C and IV vitamin C are worlds apart in terms of biological activity – oral vitamin C is good for immune function while IV vitamin C is clinically therapeuticHigher doses of vitamin C are associated with reduced risks of developing a vast array of acute and chronic diseases, ranging in severity   Low vitamin C intake and deficiencies impair biological processes and pose increased risk to health, such as decreased fat utilization and increased neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s)Inconsistencies in study findings on the effect of vitamin C on health have to do with variations in administration, dose, duration, additional supplementation, and study designNeed future studies based on consistent study designs to formalize full potential of vitamin C on human healtheval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'podcastnotes_org-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',122,'0','0']));

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In this episode, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discuss all things vitamin C. This episode covers oral bioavailability, intravenous vitamin C bioavailability, immune cell function, common cold and other viral infections, lung function, sepsis, pneumonia, inflammation, intravenous vitamin C and cancer, role in exercise, safety concerns, and so, so much more!

Episode Timeline (abridged)

00:07:33 - Background on vitamin C 00:17:09 - Bioavailability of vitamin C [including dosing frequency] 00:22:53 - Vitamin C in the context of the common cold 00:28:09 - Vitamin C and lung function 00:35:54 - Vitamin C in the context of exercise [includes discussion of blunting of exercise adaptation] 00:45:51 - Vitamin C and fatty acid oxidation, including relevance in obesity 00:48:44 - Vitamin C and the brain 00:51:15 - Intravenous Vitamin C and its use for the treatment of certain kinds of infection 00:55:33 - Intravenous Vitamin C and cancer 00:57:40 - Effect of Vitamin C on fertility and reproduction 00:58:36 - Intravenous vitamin C and cardiovascular health 01:00:42 - Vitamin C and inflammation 01:02:38 - Vitamin C’s mechanisms of action 01:08:34 - Intravenous and Oral vitamin C safety 01:10:20 - Vitamin C intake and kidney stone risk 01:13:57 - Conclusions

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