Vitamin C is a powerful vitamin needed for various aspects of the body's metabolic processes, including fighting viruses, fighting oxidative stress and providing collagen synthesis. There are times when vitamin C treatments are needed to treat vitamin C deficiency, or to aid in strengthening of the immune system to fight off an illness. The different vitamin C treatments include supplements, intravenous vitamin C and eating foods rich in the vitamin. Vitamin C treatments provide the body with an essential antioxidant which aids in the correct function of the immune system, a much sought-after benefit of this vitamin.
When deficient in vitamin C, the body can often become sick because vitamin C has a direct effect on the immune system. Since the vitamin strengthens the immune system, a body deficient in this vitamin needs vitamin C treatments to regain health. The simplest form of treatment for vitamin C is a strong vitamin C supplement, available in capsule or liquid forms. Many times, these supplements can be purchased over the counter, but for extreme deficiencies a doctor may prescribe a vitamin C supplement to be taken every day at home.
Intravenous vitamin C may be administered under doctor's orders in a hospital setting when other vitamin C treatments seem inferior. Vitamin C administered through an IV can be given in larger doses directly to the blood compared to vitamin C supplements which need to be digested and then assimilated. Although very little has been studied in a clinical setting, there are promoters who claim that large doses of intravenous vitamin C is toxic to cancer cells. Receiving vitamin C through an IV has not been proven to be an alternative cancer treatment, but does show promise in activating the immune system, an important component when fighting off disease.
Another popular vitamin C treatment involves eating foods high in vitamin C, such as dark green vegetables and citrus fruits. Since vitamin C is available in large amounts in different plant foods, many prefer receiving their daily vitamin C intake through their diet, as they find it to be the most natural method. Nutritionists can work with those interested in building their immune system by helping organize an eating plan which will provide enough vitamin C for the body. Vegetables and fruits are considered to be the most natural vitamin C treatment compared to taking the vitamin orally or intravenously, and they provide more than 100 percent of the daily value for vitamin C.
