If you are new to the concept of intravenous vitamin therapy, you might be wondering why people are talking about this treatment approach.
Intravenous vitamin therapy is used in integrative and functional medicine, and may help support the management of a variety of conditions. It is generally well-tolerated when administered under medical supervision.
1) Nutrients delivered directly to cells through the bloodstream
With intravenous nutrient therapy, as soon as your infusion starts, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are quickly circulated through your bloodstream and delivered to cells, where they are immediately available for use. It’s like “direct deposit”; in IV vitamin therapy, there’s no waiting for the nutrients to clear the digestive system and the liver.
2) Bypasses the digestive system
Intravenous vitamin therapy bypasses the stomach and intestines. This may help avoid the upset stomach or intestinal problems like cramps, nausea, or diarrhea, which sometimes result from taking high doses of certain vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C and magnesium.
3) Allows for high-dose therapy
Some nutrients are thought to need specific blood or tissue concentrations in order to be pharmacologically active. Vitamin C is one example of such a nutrient.
These concentrations may be difficult to reach by taking the nutrients orally, because not all of what is swallowed in pill or liquid form is absorbed into the bloodstream. Complicating this further is that some patients have conditions that impair their intestinal absorption in the first place. Finally, as noted above, some patients cannot tolerate high doses of certain vitamins and minerals because these upset their stomachs. IV therapy delivers nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing digestive absorption. This may be more effective than oral supplementation in some situations.
4) Treatment of specific medical conditions
When you visit Pure Wellness, a naturopathic doctor will complete a full assessment of your health and medical history so that any care recommended is appropriate for you.
Intravenous Vitamin Therapy FAQ
Q: How does IV therapy work?
A: IV therapy is a procedure that uses an intravenous drip to infuse essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly into the body. The advantage of this is that higher levels of nutrients may be introduced into the body than would be possible orally.
Q: Who is eligible for IV vitamin therapy?
A: IV therapy may be useful for a variety of people. To find out whether it is appropriate for you, contact Pure Wellness so we can assess your specific needs.
Q: What is IV therapy used for?
A: IV therapy may help support the management of a number of conditions. Some of the conditions it is commonly used for include fatigue, cold, flu, intestinal malabsorption, and wound healing. IV therapy may also be used for other purposes, such as supporting athletic performance, or as adjunctive care for people receiving cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, alongside, never in place of, the care of their oncology team. IV therapy is complementary to, not a replacement for, medical treatment.
Q: Is IV therapy safe?
A: IV therapy is generally well-tolerated when administered under medical supervision. Your naturopathic doctor can discuss any possible side effects with you.
Q: How often should I get IV therapy?
A: How often or at what intervals you should get intravenous therapy depends largely on the specific type of treatment you are getting, since each patient’s treatment is customized.
Q: What are the different types of IV therapy?
A: At Pure Wellness we offer a number of treatment options. Which one may be appropriate for you depends on an assessment of your specific needs. See our Intravenous Therapy page for more information.
Q: Is IV therapy just a trend?
A: More and more people are discovering IV drip therapy. However, IV therapy is not a new idea. In fact, doctors have been using it for years as part of managing a number of health conditions.
