Effectiveness Not Established

Vitamin C

for Fatigue

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that cannot be made by the body and must be obtained from foods or other sources. Vitamin C is found in abundance in citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruit, and lemons, as well as in green leafy vegetables, potatoes, strawberries, bell peppers, and cantaloupe. Its scientific or medical name is ascorbic acid or ascorbate. Vitamin C supplements are available in powder or chewable pill form. Vitamin C is known to be an antioxidant, blocking the action of free radicals that can damage cells, and is an important component of intracellular matrices and connective tissue. Vitamin C supplements have been tested as an intervention for diarrhea and fatigue in patients with cancer. Topical vitamin C has been studied in patients with cancer for effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of radiodermatitis.

Research Evidence Summaries

Yeom, C. H., Jung, G. C., & Song, K. J. (2007). Changes of terminal cancer patients’ health-related quality of life after high dose vitamin C administration. Journal of Korean Medical Science, 22, 7–11.

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

Patients were given an intravenous administration of 10 g of vitamin C twice daily with a three-day interval and an oral intake of 4 g of vitamin C daily for one week. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention.

Sample Characteristics

  • The sample was comprised of 39 patients with terminal cancer.
  • Mean age was 53.5 years.
  • The ratio of males to females was 20:19.
  • Patients had varied diagnoses, the most common being stomach cancer.
  • All patients were at stage IV, and 12 patients experienced a recurrence of their cancers.

Setting

Department of Family medicine, Myungji-Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

Patients were undergoing the end of life phase of care.

Study Design

The study was a prospective, nonrandomized trial.

Measurement Instruments/Methods

European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30)

Results

The vitamin C intervention significantly improved fatigue in patients after one week of treatment, as mean fatigue scores dropped from 52 (standard deviation [SD] = 24) to 40 (SD = 19) (p < 0.001).

Limitations

  • The study lacked a control group.
  • When given high doses of vitamin C, patients have the risk of developing hemolysis and, therefore, should be screened for deficiency before receiving treatment.
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