title: The acute effect of high-dose intravenous vitamin C and other nutrients on blood pressure: a cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regular intake of vitamin C/ascorbate reduces blood pressure (BP) in hypertensives. High-dose intravenous vitamin C (IVC) achieves higher plasma levels; however, there is a paucity of research on acute BP effects. Our study is the first to investigate the effect of high-dose IVC, with or without concomitant i.v. nutrients, on BP during i.v.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of adult patients scheduled to receive IVC treatment for infection, cancer or fatigue, as prescribed by their treating doctor, participated at a Melbourne clinic, Australia. Ambulatory BP was assessed every 10 min over 90 min during i.v.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received 15-100 g of IVC alone or in addition to i.v. vitamin B, glutathione, magnesium or zinc. BP change over time adjusted for baseline BP, IVC dosage, i.v. treatment and BMI was analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 77 mostly normotensive patients participated, with a third receiving IVC alone (42±20 g), and two-thirds also received other i.v. nutrients. IVC alone (>30 g) reduced the mean BP up to 8-9 mmHg in prehypertensive patients. In contrast, concomitant intravenous vitamin B12 (IVB12) significantly increased the mean BP by 11-13 mmHg. Comparison of BP change during IVC versus IVC+IVB12 indicated a highly significant difference [systolic blood pressure: mean difference (SD)=16.6 (17.8) mmHg, P<0.001; diastolic blood pressure: mean difference (SD)=12.5 (16.7) mmHg, P=0.003].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests an acute BP-reducing effect of high-dose IVC, particularly with dosages above 30 g, and in patients with prehypertension and normal BMI. Furthermore, our study indicated a marked and clinically relevant hypertensive effect of IVB12, suggesting routine BP monitoring during i.v. therapy in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Integrative Medicine, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ried
authors.forename: Nikolaj
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Travica
authors.forename: Avni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sali
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D005978:Glutathione; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc; D014805:Vitamin B 12; D001205:Ascorbic Acid