You’re lethargic, cranky, have low energy, and are susceptible to splitting headaches at all hours of the day. What’s worse is you’ve also noticed physical problems like brittle hair, sore gums, and problems sleeping. Each of these could be signs of vitamin deficiency, but there’s a possible solution – IV vitamin therapy.
How Did IV Vitamin Therapy Get Its Start?
IV vitamin therapy had humble beginnings. In the late 1950s, in Baltimore, Maryland, physician John Myers sought other remedies for patients experiencing migraines, body aches, symptoms of cold and flu, and many other medical and health problems. He introduced the idea of infusing liquid intravenous solutions with more than just medicine or pain killers. Soon, he developed what’s now called the Myers’ Cocktail, a mixture of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients dispensed intravenously directly into a person’s bloodstream. Different combinations proved effective, and IV vitamin therapy has been growing in popularity ever since.
What’s The Difference Between IV Vitamin Therapy and Oral Supplements?
One of the most significant differences between IV vitamin therapy and oral supplements is how the two get into your body. As the name implies, oral supplements are taken through your mouth; IV vitamin therapy is a process where a liquid mixture of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients enters your bloodstream intravenously.
IV vitamin therapy is a process where a needle is inserted into a vein in your arm or hand; the needle is attached to a rubber tube, which is connected to a plastic bag referred to as a drip bag. It’s from the drip bag that the nutrients are dispensed into your vein and bloodstream, often by means of gravity (the bag is attached to a metal pole on wheels, and is at a level higher than your arm or hand) or through a mechanical pump connected to the drip bag.
When taken orally, vitamins come in multiple forms. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, dietary supplements are available in capsules, extracts, gel capsules, liquids, pills, powders, or tablets. They may also come as gummies, drinks, and energy bars. The best-known supplements include vitamins D and B12; minerals including calcium and iron; herbs like echinacea and garlic; and consumer products like glucosamine, fish oils, and probiotics.
IV vitamin therapy can include any vitamin or mineral needed based on your overall health, medical history, and other factors. It should only be administered by a licensed professional after consulting with your healthcare provider or another medical expert.
Major Benefits of IV Vitamin Therapy
There are many potential benefits of IV vitamin therapy versus oral supplements, but many questions remain about its efficacy in helping people with severe medical problems. Benefits may include:
- Higher and faster absorption rates. When you take oral supplements, the absorption rate is influenced by biological processes and the body’s natural digestive process. In other words, they must be digested and broken down into energy, which is then dispersed throughout your body via the bloodstream over several hours. IV vitamins get absorbed faster and reach the bloodstream instantly.
- Overall health boost. There’s no doubting the benefits of healthy foods and exercise. Still, if your lifestyle makes either a challenge and you’re vitamin deficient, an obvious remedy is IV vitamin therapy rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, and many others, plus minerals like niacin and magnesium.
- If you’re involved in athletics or any physically rigorous activity, you risk becoming dehydrated. IV vitamin therapy can solve that problem, offering a route of near-instant re-hydration.
- Personalized outcomes. When you buy vitamin supplements at a store, the only thing you know is the label says they may be recommended for this condition or that condition, but IV vitamin therapy is specific to your immediate health or medical needs.
- Administered by licensed professionals. When you undergo IV vitamin therapy, it’s under the direct supervision of a licensed healthcare professional with expertise in such procedures who’ll monitor your progress from start to finish and step in if there are problems.
Is IV Vitamin Therapy Safe?
IV vitamin therapy is safe when dispensed by licensed medical professionals. But it does carry potential risks, as too many vitamins can result in problems like nausea, fatigue, blurred vision, and potentially more dangerous outcomes based on your health, medical history, and any medication you may be taking.
If you’re thinking of trying IV vitamin therapy, talk to a licensed healthcare professional for more information.