NutritIVes - Frequently Asked Questions About IV Therapy
NutritIVes – IV Therapy
Why take IV (intravenous) vitamin therapy instead of vitamin pills?
Administration of vitamins by the intravenous route brings with it the benefit of rapid increase in blood concentration. The blood concentrations obtainable by intravenous administration exceed the concentrations obtainable by oral or even intramuscular routes. Various nutrients have been shown to exert pharmacologic effects, which are in many cases dependent on the concentration of the nutrient in the blood. IV nutrient therapy may also be more effective than oral or IM (intramuscular) treatment for correcting intracellular nutrient deficits. Additionally, some side effects common with high dose oral vitamin therapy such as nausea, stomach discomfort and flushing are avoided when vitamins are delivered by the intravenous manner.
What are the benefits of IV fluid / drip therapy?
IV fluid therapy is used to treat dehydration. Dehydration can occur secondary to illness, exercise, poor diet, and even excessive alcohol consumption when not balanced by adequate fluid intake. When dehydrated one may feel lethargic and easily fatigued. Additionally, if the dehydration is severe enough one may experience elevated heart rate, lower than normal blood pressure, and confusion. Intravenous rehydration quickly and effectively reverses both dehydration and its associated symptoms.
What are the benefits of magnesium in IV therapy?
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. 50% of magnesium is found in bone, the other half is found predominantly inside cells. Only 1% of magnesium is found in the blood, but the body works very hard to keep blood levels constant. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function, supports healthy immune system, keeps heart rhythm steady and keeps bones strong. There is also some interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Magnesium also has a role in the treatment of asthma and COPD. It may also be an effective treatment for RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). Magnesium is also used in the treatment of migraines.
What are the benefits of the B vitamins in IV therapy?
B vitamins are a group of water soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism. Vitamin B1 plays an important role in the generation of energy from carbohydrates and is involved in RNA and DNA production. Vitamin B2 is involved in the catabolism of fatty acids. Vitamin B3 plays an important role in energy transfer reactions and the metabolism of glucose, fat, and alcohol. Vitamin B5 is involved in the oxidation of fatty acids and carbohydrates. Vitamin B6 is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and hemoglobin, and also plays an important role in the production of glucose. Vitamin B12 is involved in the cellular metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. It is essential for the production of blood cells and bone marrow, nerve sheaths, and proteins.
Vitamin B therapy can help with energy, metabolism, as well as physical and mental well being.
What are the benefits of Vitamin C in IV therapy?
The antioxidant vitamin C is involved in protecting the cell from oxidative damage. Exercise and other stressful states can increase free radical production by 2 to 4 fold, which may exert oxidative stress on muscles and other tissues. Short term exercise will result in temporary increases in concentrations of oxidized products. Supporting the body’s antioxidant defense systems with additional doses of antioxidants has received much attention as a strategy to reduce oxidative stress, decrease muscle damage and increase muscle performance. These properties extend also to the treatment of the common cold (amongst other infectious processes). Studies have shown that vitamin C will reduce the symptoms of the common cold 10-12% in adults, and 10-15% in children. This, combined with it’s well documented safety, peer reviewed medical articles have recommended that vitamin C is a useful addition to symptom management of the common cold. Finally, current research into the effects of high dose intravenous vitamin C have shown that it induces cytotoxicity (eventual cell death) in all tested cancer cells at concentrations easily achievable in humans.
What is the San Diego-based Perfect Micronutrient Blend?
The Perfect Micronutrient Blend (PMB) is based on the modified Myers cocktail. This formula consists of B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium.
What other intravenous therapies do we offer and what are their benefits?
Ketorolac:
Prescription only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication that is used for the treatment of pain of all types including surgical, muscular, and migraine related.
Ondansetron:
Prescription only medication that is used to treat nausea of all types; including nausea due to chemotherapy, severe anesthetic induced nausea, and illness related nausea.
Zantac:
Medication used to treat heartburn and indigestion.
Glutathione:
The body’s primary antioxidant. Plays an important role in the regulation of numerous enzymatic reactions and in the protection of cells from oxidative injury, such as after strenuous activity, or illness. Depletion of glutathione renders cells more susceptible to the toxic effects of certain drugs and environmental stressors. It also serves as an important central nervous system antioxidant and clears free radicals. Glutathione may also act as a neuroprotective agent.
L carnitine:
A molecule that is responsible for shuttling fatty acids into the mitochondria (the body’s energy houses) for the purposes of being converted to ATP. Supplemental doses of L carnitine will optimize this process leading to a potential increase in fatty acid metabolism and energy production. This means that it can help your body metabolize fat more efficiently and is an important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Systemic L carnitine depletion has been described in several diseases and is characterized by fatigue, muscle weakness and decreased tolerance to metabolic stress. L carnitine supplementation has been tested in humans and has been shown to improve fatigue and quality of life.
Phosphatidyl Choline:
Phosphatidylcholine is the only precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is of significant importance for memory, muscle contraction, and other bodily functions. Supplementation of phosphatidylcholine can increase acetylcholine and so there in interest in its use to improve memory and perhaps treat parkinson’s disease. Intravenous phosphatidylcholine can improve general neurologic and liver function, memory, and athletic endurance.
Who can benefit from the RestoratIVe Line of Perfect NutritIVes IV Therapy?
As one can gather from the descriptions above these therapies can be used for a range of defined medical conditions. However, their benefits and effects are not limited to those with noted illness or deficiency. In fact, these therapies can also be used in the treatment of otherwise healthy individuals who are experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, nausea, headache, cramps, and hangovers.
Are there any contraindications to receiving IV nutritives therapy?
The majority of people can tolerate IV nutritive therapy. Rarely, one may have a severe allergy to a nutrient and should therefore not receive that nutrient. IV nutritives may not be appropriate for those with kidney problems, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Your physician will decide which, if any, of the nutritives are right for you.
What are the risks of IV nutritives therapy?
The products are safe, prepared in a sterile fashion and administered by a licensed medical professional in a controlled environment. Risks can be divided into local and systemic complications. Locally, one can experience pain at the site of injection, bruising or phlebitis. Phlebitis is a condition which involves an irritated or inflamed vein that may be infected, and should be treated if associated with pain, fever, and redness. Most local complications resolve with very little intervention.
Systemic complications can include anaphylactic allergy to a substance, vasovagal response (fainting spells), infection, and increased stress on the heart and kidneys if there is a previous history of heart or kidney disease.
However, in general, IV nutrition therapy is well tolerated and associated with very little risk.
How long does IV therapy treatment take?
Treatments may take 30min-1.5 hours, depending on which package is chosen to best suit your needs.