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26.11.2023

Significantly less pain after surgery due to vitamin C supplementation

Supplementation with a large dose of vitamin C reduces the pain that patients experience after a serious surgical procedure. A single intake of 2 grams reduces the need for morphine by almost thirty percent.

Study
In 2012, doctors from the American University of Beirut Medical Center published a trial in which 80 patients participated as test subjects. The doctors removed the patients' gallbladder. Half of them received 2 grams of vitamin C in the form of effervescent tablets one hour before the operation. The tablets were of course dissolved in water.

The other half of the test subjects received effervescent tablets without active ingredients.

After the operation, the test subjects could use a morphine pump to determine how much morphine they needed to control the pain. The doctors kept track of how much morphine the test subjects used.

Results
In the first 24 hours after surgery, the average subject in the control group needed 22.8 milligrams of morphine. For the average subject in the vitamin C group, this was 16.2 milligrams.

Mechanism
Free radicals play a significant role in some pain processes, the researchers know after consulting the scientific literature. [Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2003 Oct;24(5):304-9.] Vitamin C could reduce pain due to its antioxidant effect.

In addition, vitamin C is involved in the functioning of the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase, which is necessary for the biosynthesis of norepinephrine. Increased activity of this neurotransmitter could reduce sensitivity to pain.

Source:
Can J Anaesth. 2012 Jun;59(6):538-43.

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Gram of vitamin C makes the anxious less anxious 31.05.2018

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