Vitamin C is known for its beneficial role with regards to immune function and inflammation. What is not so well known, is its role in adrenal function. Using a vitamin C supplement as a part of a cold or flu management is quite popular. However, the use of IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue is something that many people are not aware of. Let’s explore this approach in more detail.
Before considering what is understood by IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue, you first need to understand the concept of adrenal fatigue.
The term ‘adrenal fatigue’ refers to several symptoms that are associated with an imbalance in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. This includes its effect on the adrenal glands, hormone production, your immune system, and other parts of your body.
Your hypothalamus perceives a threat and sends chemical messengers to the pituitary gland which, in turn, sends chemical messengers to the adrenal glands. Here, the chemical messenger is called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and its action is to regulate the levels of cortisol secreted by the adrenals. In so doing, the adrenals produce more cortisol and adrenaline. At the same time, your body’s NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response is activated. The result is that all parts of your body physiologically associated with the “fight or flight” instinct, run in top gear. Simultaneously, those bodily functions considered not essential for immediate survival, either slow down or stop completely.
Once the threat has passed, your HPA axis, automatic NEM, and cortisol production return to normal. Your other body functions also return to their normal states.
However, if the stress continues (whether psychological, physiological, or environmental), heightened cortisol production and changes in physiological functions will persist. This may result in many different symptoms. The symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue include:
Many of these symptoms are commonly associated with either a hormonal imbalance, inflammatory issues, or immune system issues. However, the common thread may be compromised stress response.
Adrenal fatigue progresses through different stages. While the initial stages of the condition may see a prolonged increase in cortisol production, the opposite occurs in the latter stages. Here, the adrenal glands become compromised and slow down. They may no longer be able to produce the quantities of cortisol demanded by your body.
While one may think that the lower cortisol production is a good thing, nothing could be further from the truth. Low cortisol production has the potential to be just as debilitating for your health, if not more. It could result in you becoming bedridden and death could result.
There is a link between adrenal fatigue and your hormones. Cortisol is made from a precursor hormone called progesterone. Progesterone, together with estrogen, play an important role within the female body. When higher levels of cortisol are demanded, (for example at stressful times), less progesterone is produced to balance the estrogen levels. This then leads to estrogen dominance. But, the latter does not necessarily mean that a woman’s body has higher estrogen levels. It simply means that estrogen’s impact on the body is dominant due to one having lower-than-normal progesterone levels.
This type of hormonal imbalance in a woman may include such symptoms as weight gain, headaches, sleep issues, tender breasts, and anxiety.
In men, high cortisol levels may result in a decline in testosterone, the male sex hormone. In such instances, one may experience symptoms such as lowered libido, erection issues, fatigue, hair loss, lowered muscle and bone mass, weight gain, memory issues, and irritability.
High cortisol levels may also affect testosterone production in women. This could result in symptoms like fertility issues, a lower sex drive, a decrease in muscle mass, vaginal dryness, and irregular menstrual cycles.
There is a connection between adrenal fatigue and inflammation. Inflammation may also be one of the causes of numerous health conditions, like arthritis, heart disease, and even cancer.
Any kind of stress may spark your body’s immune response. For example, you cut your finger, your body immediately starts addressing the stressor, while trying to stop any possible infection. Your inflammatory response occurs at the same time. This process sees blood capillaries dilate and vessels’ walls become porous so that white blood cells can move to the area to conduct repairs. The infusion of blood into that area may result in swelling that puts pressure on surrounding nerves. This is when we experience feelings of discomfort or pain. The increased blood flow may also result in the area feeling heated. The process also targets toxins or pathogens, eliminating them so that the area can heal.
With physical stress, you also see an increase in cortisol production which, initially, may dampen the inflammatory response, so that you can deal with the actual stress. For example, when an injured person is fleeing for survival, they may not feel any pain at the time. Here, the modulating effect of cortisol on any inflammation is such that survival is assured.
Prolonged stress, means increased cortisol production, and it may have negative consequences for your body’s inflammatory response. This is because the continued, higher cortisol levels result in an increased immune response, which increases the inflammatory response. This, in turn, leads to even higher cortisol production.
What does this mean for your health? Simply put, your body goes into a state of chronic inflammation.
Physiological and psychological stress can both trigger inflammation. Physiological stress, e.g. where you are physically hurt, may trigger a more acute, immediate inflammatory response than a psychological trigger such as constant worry. However, psychological stress may result in constant low-grade inflammation that we may be unaware of. This type of inflammation may continue for years before any physical manifestation becomes apparent. In many cases, these symptoms are subtle and may not be seen as stress-related. Some of the physical manifestations of this type of chronic inflammation include dizziness, brain fog, anxiety, depression, bloating, food sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome, and pain of unknown origins.
In some cases, this type of inflammation may be related to a specific condition. Examples are in the brain for those people who may have Alzheimer’s disease, in the pancreas with those people who have diabetes, and in the arteries for those who have certain heart conditions. Other conditions that are associated with inflammation include allergies, autism, asthma, Lupus, fibromyalgia, arthritis, bronchitis, high blood pressure, candidiasis, and even visible signs of aging such as wrinkles.
For the most part, the best source of action to address adrenal fatigue may be a holistic one. This means examining your diet and lifestyle. In many instances, supplements may also be a viable consideration.
Advances in healthcare have resulted in different forms of IV vitamin therapy. These include the use of IV glutathione or IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue.
IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue is believed to have several benefits. It may help to alleviate several adrenal fatigue symptoms. Vitamin C, taken orally, may also be absorbed and excreted before significant quantities can be stored. It’s believed that using IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue bypasses your digestive system, and quickly helps you build up vitamin C reserves. The hypothesis is that such an infusion of IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue would have a quicker, more beneficial, effect on your adrenal fatigue and overall health. However, keep in mind that some adrenal fatigue sufferers are very sensitive and might not be able to handle the quick stimulation of their systems. Such persons may crash from the infusion of IV vitamin C. It’s important to take the advice of an experienced medical professional who deals with adrenal fatigue sufferers before getting an IV infusion.
Your adrenal glands hold the highest concentrations of vitamin C (or ascorbic acid), in your body. Stressful periods trigger a hormonal cascade in your body and also deplete your body’s stores of vitamins and minerals. Low levels of these vitamins and minerals may result in devastating consequences for your health. Your adrenal glands may often be the most compromised.
Interestingly, a lower level of vitamin C is associated with higher cortisol production. Vitamin C plays an important role in enzyme activation for the production of collagen. Collagen is an important structural component in the skin, blood vessels, and other tissues. It is also needed for the activation of neurotransmitters, i.e. the chemical messengers talked about previously that initiate your body’s NEM stress response. Collagen is also used in the production of carnitine, which plays a role in your body’s energy production. Therefore, IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue may be of benefit during those stressful periods when your body’s vitamin C supply is compromised. Here's how:
Vitamin C is also a powerful broad-spectrum antioxidant. It may help to protect both your cells and DNA from damage due to free radicals. Stressful periods are often associated with an increase in the presence of free radicals, damage to cells, and a decrease in energy. Infusions of IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue can also be beneficial in this case. However, note that giving higher doses of IV vitamin C can convert it from an antioxidant to a pro-oxidant, which is used in a lot of cancer research currently.
Using IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue may also help with hormone control and lessen the impact of increased cortisol production. Studies suggest that vitamin C may help inhibit higher cortisol production in the adrenal glands. It also influences the production of epinephrine and steroid hormones. But, constant stress may deplete your vitamin C levels.
Studies indicate that people with high vitamin C levels do not show the same mental or physical signs of stress as those with lower levels. They also tend to heal faster, both physiologically and psychologically.
IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue may also help to combat inflammation. Research indicates that a higher vitamin C intake is associated with a decrease in the C Reactive Protein, a major inflammation marker. According to the study, the higher your vitamin C levels, the lower your levels of inflammation. It is believed that a high vitamin C intake could reduce the inflammation markers and also reduce your risk of inflammation.
Therefore, infusions of IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue may be of great benefit to those showing symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
Using natural solutions for adrenal fatigue and its symptoms means that you need to explore the sources/stressors of the condition. If it is your job, for example, you could consider finding a less stressful one or look for ways to alleviate your stress. Meditation and breathing exercises are good ways of managing stress.
Diet and lifestyle are also relevant factors, where your diet is often the cause of vitamin deficiency. Lifestyle factors include issues such as getting enough exercise and sleep.
When it comes to diet, you would need to eliminate those foods that cause stress on the body. You should also incorporate more foods high in vitamin C.
Vitamin C deficiency is more common than you may think. Let’s explore some of the physical symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency.
This is a condition whereby pimples form on your thighs, buttocks, or the back of your upper arms. It is caused by a vitamin C deficiency resulting in the buildup of keratin protein inside your skin’s pores.
Low levels of iron and the corresponding anemia may occur due to lower vitamin C levels. A vitamin C deficiency reduces your body’s absorption of iron.
Here your nails become concave in shape and are thin and brittle. The condition is often ascribed to anemia. Splinter hemorrhaging may also occur in the nail bed, which may be the result of ruptured blood vessels.
If you bruise very easily it may be a sign of a vitamin C deficiency. This is usually due to poor collagen production and weakened blood vessels. Bruising easily is often one of the first, more obvious signs of a vitamin C deficiency.
A vitamin C deficiency has been associated with painful or swollen joints.
Vitamin C plays an important role in bone formation. Children’s bones are especially susceptible to a vitamin C deficiency, resulting in an increased risk of fractures. In older people, osteoporosis may develop.
While scurvy may be seen as a pirate’s disease from the old days, it is still alive and well. Here, a vitamin C deficiency may cause weakened gum tissue, bleeding gums, and even tooth loss.
A high incidents of infections and even pneumonia may indicate a vitamin C deficiency.
The outer layers of your skin contain relatively high concentrations of vitamin C under normal conditions. Vitamin C protects your skin from oxidative damage due to the sun and pollutants, while promoting collagen production. Low vitamin C concentrations in your skin may result in dry skin.
Before seeking an IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue, please note that experiencing only one of the above conditions doesn’t indicate a vitamin C deficiency. We recommend consulting a healthcare professional who will give your expert guidance.
Ideally, you want to prevent a deficiency with foods that are high in vitamin C. These include:
Vitamin C tends to break down when food is heated. So it’s better to consume these fruits and vegetables in their raw form.
IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue aids in cortisol regulation, hormone control, your inflammatory response, neurotransmitter activation, and the oxidative process. However, it may not be the ideal solution to someone who is weak or in the latter stages of adrenal fatigue.
Ideally, the dosage for IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue should be carefully titrated, so that it is non-stimulating. Very high oral doses of vitamin C have been associated with nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, vomiting, headaches, and abdominal cramps. While no such symptoms have been associated with IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue, extensive research into high doses of intravenous applications has not been conducted as yet.
Some adrenal fatigue symptoms can be addressed with vitamin C infusions. However, there are a number of things you should consider before using IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue including:
If you'd like more information about vitamin C or strategies to alleviate deficiencies, ask our team by clicking here or give us a call on +1 (626) 571-1234.
© Copyright 2020 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
Adrenal fatigue develops over a period of time and presents in a variety of ways. A vitamin C deficiency may have a far-reaching impact. While IV vitamin C for adrenal fatigue may not cure the condition, it supports the adrenals and may play a role in recovery.
