Wondering if IV therapy just might be the solution to your endless health issues? If you’re tired of being sick and are ready to feel normal, here’s what you need to know about IV therapy.
Table of Contents
2. Conditions Treated by IV Therapy
3. Who Benefits Most from IV Therapy?
4. The Effects of IV Therapy on Your Body
5. Which Vitamins and Minerals Work Best for IV Therapy?
6. How Often Should You Get an IV Therapy Infusion?
7. Who Should Not Receive IV Therapy?
8. Risks Associated with IV Therapy
10. Does IV Therapy Actually Work?
What Is IV Therapy?
Intravenous therapy, or IV therapy for short, is a process of delivering high doses of nutrients directly into the bloodstream. Unlike oral supplements, IV therapy cocktails act fast. They bypass absorption barriers and liver metabolism. This ensures 100 percent availability and zero waste of nutritional value. Previously, IV therapy was exclusively given in hospitals.
Today, you can get it in the calm, relaxing atmosphere of an infusion clinic of your choice or the comfort of your home. The entire process takes 60 minutes, tops.
Conditions Treated by IV Therapy
IV micronutrient therapy has been used to manage a variety of health issues since the 70s.
Asthma
IV therapy has been found to reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. A cocktail of magnesium, calcium, and glutathione is usually the infusion of choice for airway inflammation.
Pain and Fatigue
For many people with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and migraine, symptoms can impair daily life. Small studies have shown that infusions with vitamins B, C, and magnesium may help manage debilitating pain and fatigue. In a small trial, participants reported more energy, decreased pain, and less fatigue.
Weight Concerns
If you have been having trouble shedding extra pounds, you might want to check your vitamin B levels. If you’re deficient, periodic vitamin B and l-carnitine infusions can help rev up your fat metabolism.
Allergic Rhinitis and Hives
IV vitamin C can significantly reduce symptoms of allergies, including itching and restlessness, according to some studies.
Micronutrient Deficiencies
Almost half of all Canadians consume nutritional supplements. However, according to the Canadian Community Health Survey, a third of Canadians are still deficient in some key nutrients. These include vitamin A and D, calcium, and magnesium. Whether due to poor diet or poor absorption, micronutrient deficiencies can be corrected by IV micronutrient therapy.
Other health conditions that may be managed with IV therapy include depression, dermatitis, and hangovers.
Who Benefits Most from IV Therapy?
Those who are living with a chronic condition or suffering from an acute illness benefit most from IV therapy. When you’re ill, your body diverts resources and energy away from your digestive system. While this is a natural response, it also makes it hard to get adequate nutrients from your diet.
Some people bounce back better than others. But if the illness is severe or prolonged, it can quickly deplete your micronutrient stores.
IV therapy may also benefit those who have/are:
- A compromised digestive system
- Chronic drinking problems
- Recovering from severe physical trauma
- Going through a life crisis
- Undergoing cancer treatment
- Laboratory drop off/collection services
Whether you’re battling for your health or going through a rough patch in your career, IV therapy can make a tremendous difference in your:
- Overall wellness and well-being
- Energy
- Mental clarity and focus
- Immunity
- Performance and recovery
- Skin and hair quality
- Weight control
The Effects of IV Therapy on Your Body
When you take a vitamin, say vitamin C, you’re only ever going to absorb 10 percent of it. You can take more, but higher doses don’t significantly increase blood levels. This is because the body has built-in safeguards that regulate how much it absorbs. In fact, the absorption of vitamin C is capped at 1,000 to 1,500 mg.
Anything beyond that is turned into expensive urine. Plus, factors like age, diet, intestinal issues, and genetics all affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. In contrast, IV vitamin C bypasses these limitations. It achieves blood levels up to 70 times higher than oral administration. At these levels, vitamin C and other nutrients can exert therapeutic effects.
So, when you receive a highly concentrated cocktail of micronutrients, it is immediately available for your body to use. With higher bioavailability, there is much greater therapeutic activity. Your body can then fight infections, rebuild faster, and thrive.
Which Vitamins and Minerals Work Best for IV Therapy?
Vitamin B Complex
The B vitamins are water-soluble and boast wide-ranging functions in metabolism and brain and nerve health. When given through IV, B vitamins can help control chronic pain, fatigue, and depression.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that wears many hats. It plays a major role in the health and growth of skin, bones, connective tissues, and blood vessels. As an antioxidant, vitamin C protects tissues from inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, it aids in the production of white blood cells and the absorption of iron.
IV vitamin C boosts immunity, enhances mood, improves energy, and fights stress and allergies.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral and one of the major electrolytes in the body. It plays an indispensable role in over 300 biochemical processes. Among others, magnesium helps maintain nerve health, enhances muscle function, and regulates immune function. Moreover, it is involved in energy production and protein synthesis.
IV magnesium is known for its uses in calming stress, asthma attacks, and migraine symptoms.
Glutathione
Glutathione is the “mother of all antioxidants.” Produced in the liver from amino acids, glutathione plays a role in DNA synthesis, detoxification, immune response, and reactivation of other antioxidants. Chronic illnesses like asthma can deplete glutathione stores. IV glutathione rapidly replenishes glutathione levels.
It is particularly helpful in preventing asthma attacks and preserving liver function.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of our cells. There are 20 different kinds of amino acids, each with its unique functions. They are essential components of protein and hormones that carry out many physiologic processes. Sleep/wake cycles, mood, immunity, sexual function, and tissue growth are just some of the functions of amino acids.
IV amino acids are particularly beneficial for professional athletes who require significant support for muscle recovery.
NAD+
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme needed in energy production. As the body ages or fights an illness, NAD+ production slows down. This can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, and loss of focus. When given through IV therapy, NAD+ can provide your body with a new surge of energy.
It can sharpen memory, increase endurance, and boost fat metabolism. Other nutrients you can get through this type of therapy include calcium, vitamins A, D, and E, alpha lipoic acid, and L-carnitine.
How Often Should You Get an IV Therapy Infusion?
How often you should get an infusion depends on your needs and your response to treatments. In the beginning, you may need more frequent infusions, depending on your health status. As you start recovering, your physician may begin setting your treatment sessions further apart.
Some people, like professional athletes, may choose to integrate infusions into their daily routine. Others may require regular infusions indefinitely to keep their symptoms manageable. These people usually have been ill for many years.
Who Should Not Receive IV Therapy?
IV therapy has not been thoroughly tested on pregnant and breastfeeding women. Pregnant women suffering from severe morning sickness could get an exemption. But other than that, the potential risks to your baby may not be worth it. Another absolute contraindication is kidney and heart disease. People with these conditions are considered high risk.
This is because they can’t remove electrolytes and minerals from the body quickly enough. As a result, electrolytes like potassium can build up to dangerous levels in the body. In addition, people with G6PD deficiency should not receive high doses of vitamin C. If they do, they can experience hemolytic anemia. This condition causes red blood cells to break down.
Risks Associated with IV Therapy
Although generally safe, IV therapy can sometimes lead to complications like any other medical procedure.
Infection. Whenever the skin barrier is broken, it can become a breeding ground or an entry point for bacteria. Infection of the IV site can happen for many reasons. A common cause is a failure to practice sterile techniques during the procedure. That said, infections associated with short-term IV access are rare.
Vein irritation. Also called phlebitis, vein irritation can occur when a catheter that’s too large is used. The catheter damages the vein walls, causing pain, tenderness, and swelling.
Nausea/vomiting. Receiving the highly concentrated mixture too fast could make you feel nauseous and lightheaded.
Drug interactions. The interaction between some heart medications and magnesium can be life-threatening. It causes potassium to rise to unsafe levels and leads to irregular heart rhythms.
Fluid overload. People with kidney or heart disease may be at risk for fluid overload. This is because they can’t process high concentrations of nutrients at once.
Allergic reaction. High doses of vitamin B1 can cause anaphylactic shock.
How to Get IV Therapy
It’s always best to talk to your primary care physician (PCP) before making any medical decision. Ask them if you have any deficiencies that IV therapy can correct. More importantly, be honest about symptoms that are affecting your quality of life. Because your doctor knows your medical history in detail, you can bet that they will guide you appropriately.
When your PCP clears you for treatment, you can start looking for an infusion clinic, such as SRx Health, in your area. At SRx Health, patient safety and positive outcomes are at the core of everything we do. With 11 years of experience in patient care and over 125 clinics across Canada, SRx Health is fully equipped to administer IV infusions.
Our staff nurses are board certified. They are trained to provide high-level nursing care and handle any medical emergencies. During your first visit, you will discuss your symptoms and desired outcomes with your assigned physician. The physician will review your medical history and take note of any drugs you take.
The physician may also request further testing if your PCP has not cleared you yet. Based on this thorough assessment, your physician will design and tailor an infusion strategy around your personal needs.
IV Therapy Costs
IV therapy can cost up to $300 before taxes, depending on the type of nutrient cocktail and clinic location. This amount may or may not include service fees. Unfortunately, insurance does not typically cover IV therapy.
Does IV Therapy Actually Work?
IV therapy works best for those living with chronic conditions and nutrient deficiencies. If you are healthy and eating a balanced diet, you may still benefit from the high bioavailability of different nutrients that IV therapy provides. It’s not meant to be a cure-all or a stand-alone treatment.
But it can help make symptoms more manageable and modestly improve quality of life. With regular infusions, some patients recover completely, while others experience significant improvements. The journey to managing a chronic illness is a long one. Should you need a partner to be with you on this quest, SRx Health’s doors are open. You can start by filling out this form.
