What is intravenous (IV) therapy?
If you’ve ever been to a hospital, then you’re probably familiar with the bags that hang from a pole and connect to the arm. IV therapy is a way to deliver fluids and medications directly to the bloodstream through a vein. This method of delivery is especially beneficial for people who cannot take medications by mouth. In addition, IV nutrition is traditionally used to deliver nutrients to patients who are unable to eat or absorb nutrients due to an illness.
Today, however, vitamin infusions are being administered outside of the hospital setting more commonly. From medical spas to hydration rooms to integrative medicine offices, IV vitamins are being seen as a way to infuse “wellness.”
What is IV vitamin therapy?
IV vitamin therapy, also called intravenous micronutrient therapy or hydration therapy is used to deliver high concentrations of vitamins and minerals directly to the bloodstream. This allows faster absorption of vitamins and nutrients by the body’s cells than if delivered through food or oral supplements.
IV Vitamin therapy has recently become a wellness trend, claiming to improve a number of ailments. If you have been thinking of trying it out yourself you are not alone. The amount of people who have received outpatient IV nutrition has grown dramatically over the last few years.
People have used IV’s to help with some of the following:
Cure hangovers
Improve skin complexion
Help with weight loss
Help with chronic pain
Improve fitness performance and recovery
Improve focus
Boost immunity
Boost libido
Boost energy
What’s on an IV vitamin “menu”?
The concept of IV vitamin therapy is that delivering specially formulated cocktails of nutrients, vitamins, electrolytes, and antioxidants intravenously can help replenish, restore, and detoxify your body more efficiently. These vitamins often contain mixes of such things as vitamin C, B vitamins, glutathione, electrolytes, and saline.
One popular IV item includes Myers’ cocktail. This mixture contains high doses of B vitamins, vitamin C, and minerals such as magnesium and calcium.
The vitamins and minerals in Myers’ Cocktail are beneficial in the following ways:
B vitamins:
Vitamins B1, B2, and B3 are associated with energy conversion and healthy skin and hair.
Vitamin B5 is also associated with energy conversion.
Vitamin B6 helps convert tryptophan to serotonin which is associated with sleep, appetite, and mood.
Vitamins B9 and B12 are important for making new cells.
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that can boost the immune system and prevent cell damage.
Magnesium and Calcium:
Magnesium and calcium are important for many of the body’s functions including muscle contraction, blood clotting, blood pressure regulation, and the building of bones and teeth.
Does IV vitamin therapy actually work?
Most of the evidence we have is anecdotal, which means that it’s based on people’s personal experiences. There are few studies out there that have tested the effectiveness of IV vitamin therapy.
One non-blinded outcome study of 43 asthma patients showed that IV nutrient therapy may be beneficial for acute and chronic asthma. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of 34 adults with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) concluded that most patients had relief from FMS compared to baseline after being treated with IV micronutrient therapy.
Although IV vitamin therapy can potentially help to improve a variety of health conditions and ailments, more studies really are needed to demonstrate its full efficacy. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor before you receive IV vitamin therapy to see if it may be of benefit for you.
If you have any questions about IV vitamin therapy or are curious to know if it might help you, feel free to give our office a call.
Dr. Sergio Guiteau is a physician who has certifications in Aesthetic Medicine and is board certified in Family Practice and Sports Medicine. He specializes in Anti-Aging Medicine and blogs on Advancedrejuv.com/blog