How to Use Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic acid is sometimes referred to as vitamin C, but the specific properties of ascorbic acid have many more uses than a simple vitamin supplementation. Scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency disease, is treated by intravenous ascorbic acid over a three-week period. Other uses of this vitamin include cancer symptom alleviation, drug detoxification and, in a low-dose oral form, it is a vitamin supplement. Most often, large-dose ascorbic acid is administered intravenously with the supervision of medical staff.

Instructions

• 1

  Make an appointment with a certified nurse practitioner or doctor who administers ascorbic acid. This is a holistic procedure that most traditional doctors will not be willing to do.

• 2

  Follow the pre-procedure appointment guidelines. Some doctors may ask that you don't eat for the morning before an intravenous ascorbic acid session. Depending on your ailment, the dose of ascorbic acid may cause an upset stomach. Be sure to discuss this with the practitioner before the intravenous session begins.

• 3

  Sitting through the infusion will only last 10 to 20 minutes. During the infusion process you can read or do any other relaxing activity from your chair. Some patients enjoy using the time to meditate about their health, while others use the time to catch up on phone calls or return emails.

• 4

  Take oral doses of ascorbic acid in between intravenous sessions as directed by your physician. Intravenous doses of ascorbic acid are expensive compared to oral dosing, but it is also not possible to get such a large dose of ascorbic acid taking it in an oral form. Only small doses of ascorbic acid should be taken orally, as it can negatively affect the digestive tract.

• 5

  Follow any dose of oral ascorbic acid with a small snack or meal. Ascorbic acid is a vitamin supplement and can cause stomach discomfort. Even delay-release capsules have the capability of disrupting the stomach lining and causing nausea and upset stomach.