Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
For the health condition: Bleeding (internal)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is used to support or treat bleeding, particularly internal bleeding, primarily based on its well-established role in collagen synthesis and maintenance of vascular integrity. The scientific justification stems from research on vitamin C deficiency, where classic scurvy symptoms include bleeding gums, petechiae, and internal bleeding due to weakened blood vessels. Vitamin C acts as a cofactor for prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase, enzymes crucial for collagen stability. Without adequate collagen, blood vessels become fragile and prone to rupture, leading to both external and internal bleeding.

Clinical evidence shows that supplementation with vitamin C reverses bleeding tendencies in scurvy. However, outside of deficiency states, evidence for vitamin C in treating or preventing internal bleeding is limited. Some studies suggest a supportive role for vitamin C in conditions that compromise vascular integrity, such as capillary fragility or certain coagulopathies, but robust clinical trials are lacking. There is some use of high-dose vitamin C as adjunct therapy in specific medical settings (e.g., sepsis with capillary leak), but this is still investigational.

In summary, the use of vitamin C for internal bleeding is scientifically validated in the context of deficiency (scurvy), but evidence for benefit in otherwise healthy individuals or other causes of internal bleeding is weak. Thus, the overall evidence rating is 2 out of 5.

More about Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
More about Bleeding (internal)

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