What is IV Nutrient Therapy?

IV Nutrient Therapy is an intravenous treatment where vitamins, amino acids, and minerals are infused into the bloodstream in a fashion which is far more therapeutic and effective than taking the same supplements orally. 

When a person receives an IV treatment, they’re receiving a liquid mixture of vitamins and minerals through a small tube inserted into a vein. This allows the nutrients to be absorbed quickly and it is a method that produces higher levels of the vitamins and minerals in your body. This is because several factors affect our body’s ability to absorb nutrients in the stomach. Factors include age, metabolism, health status, genetics, interactions with other products we consume, and the physical and chemical makeup of the nutritional supplement or food. Higher levels of the vitamins and minerals in your bloodstream lead to greater uptake into cells, which theoretically will use the nutrients to maintain health and fight illness. 

The fluids inside an IV bag depend on the type of therapy you are undergoing. Intravenous solutions can contain saline, vitamins, minerals and medication. 

Some common components of IV bags include:

• Saline: Saline solution is usually the base ingredient of an IV bag. Saline, made up of water and sodium chloride, serves as a delivery system for the other components of your IV therapy. Saline also serves as a way to help hydrate the body. 

• Dextrose: Your IV bag may contain dextrose, which is a type of sugar. Unlike some of your favorite sweet desserts, this kind of sugar is good for you. Dextrose can be used in IV therapy to help normalize low levels of blood sugar. As a sugar, your body can also convert dextrose into energy. 

• Sterile Water: Sometimes the components of your infusion will be mixed in sterile water. This is water that is sterilized and packaged. No antimicrobial agent or other substance is added. 

• Lactated Ringer’s: This IV solution contains water, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride and sodium lactate. Like saline solution, Lactated Ringer’s can be used as a delivery system for other ingredients. It is also commonly used during surgery and to treat dehydration. 

• Vitamin B: Vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, B-9 and B-12 are collectively known as vitamin B complex. This complex is an important element of a healthy diet because it directly contributes to important bodily functions, like your metabolism and nerve function. Vitamin B complex is often delivered via IV therapy for patients who have trouble naturally absorbing vitamins. 

• Vitamin C: Another common IV vitamin, that is important for a healthy immune system function. If you are sick or feel like you are becoming sick, vitamin C can be a beneficial ingredient in your IV therapy. In addition, the antioxidant properties of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) makes it a vital molecule for skin health.

• Calcium: Your IV therapy may include calcium, which is a mineral that we need to stay healthy. It helps build strong bones and teeth. We consume calcium in our diet through foods like dairy and green, leafy vegetables. 

• Magnesium: Magnesium, another important mineral, plays a role in healthy metabolic function. It has a number of benefits, including reducing inflammation, and even helping to prevent migraines. 

• Antioxidants: A diet high in antioxidants may reduce the risk of many diseases (including heart disease and certain cancers). Antioxidants scavenge free radicals from the body cells and prevent or reduce the damage caused by oxidation.  Your IV therapy may include different types of antioxidants, such as glutathione, or vitamins A, C or E. 

Common Uses of Intravenous Therapy

So, what is IV therapy used for?

• Athletic performance recovery: After an intense workout, your body can be left feeling drained and sore. Whether you have run a marathon or hit the gym for a lifting session, you can be left feeling in need of a boost. IV therapy can be used to help athletes recover following periods of exertion. Recovery IV drip therapy includes a number of different components designed to support athletes during the recovery period. Fluids help rehydrate you, while vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids help improve your energy levels and repair any tissue damage.

• Immune system support: The immune system fights off infection and keeps the body healthy, but we can still get sick. Whether you are worried about getting sick — especially during cold and flu season — or you’ve caught a bug, IV therapy can help support your immune system. It includes a number of vitamins and minerals to naturally boost the immune system and reduce the chances of you catching a bug. 

• Migraine and headache relief: The pain caused by migraines and headaches can be debilitating. The exact cause of these conditions isn’t always known, but common triggers include stress, diet, environment and certain medications. We can learn our triggers and try to avoid them, but migraines and headaches can still sneak up on us. If you are looking for relief, IV therapy for migraines and headaches includes vitamins to help reduce inflammation and mitigate your painful symptoms. If you experience nausea with your migraines, the IV therapy package can include anti-nausea medication. 

• Hangover relief: As is the case with anything in life that’s less than perfect, a hangover might have you wake up feeling awful. A dry mouth, pounding headache, upset digestive system and desire to keep the shades drawn, are all signs of a hangover. A bad hangover can make it hard to concentrate and ruin your entire day. Drinking a glass of water or a cup of coffee with an over-the-counter pain killer and going back to bed is usually the go-to hangover remedy. However, IV therapy can also be a helpful way to find relief. A hangover IV therapy includes fluids to help rehydrate the body, vitamins to help improve your energy levels. 

• Energy boost: Daily hustle is leaving more and more of us exhausted. This drip is specially formulated to enhance energy and focus levels by infusing the body with a specially formulated combination of electrolytes, fluids, vitamins and antioxidants to combat feelings of low energy and fatigue. 

• Inner Beauty: Sun, stress, pollution, inadequate nutrition, dehydration and, of course, aging, are all factors negatively affecting our skin. Designed to help bring out radiance and natural glow, this formulation includes premium-quality compounds believed to fortify hair, skin and nails, reduce wrinkles and quench skin from the inside out.