If you’re like most people, you’ve probably spent much of your life trying to avoid needles, so it can be hard to understand why people would choose to get an IV. However, more health-conscious people are choosing to have intravenous (IV) therapy because of the benefits this treatment offers.
IV therapy involves using an IV infusion to supply vitamins and minerals directly into your bloodstream. The specific ingredients used in an infusion treatment depend on your goals, which can include increasing stamina, treating a chronic health condition, or improving hydration.
Your success with IV therapy depends on working with IV specialists who can tailor your treatment to the conditions you want to target. IV therapy specialist Karl Trippe, MD, of Waco Primary Care in Waco, Texas, can help you reach your wellness goals with IV therapy. Dr. Trippe considers various factors, such as your diet, medications, medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms, to formulate the right IV therapy formulation for your needs to help you achieve your desired results.
In this blog, Dr. Trippe discusses the benefits of IV therapy and offers six reasons to try this customized treatment:
1. Increase nutrient absorption
IV therapy involves delivering nutrients directly into your bloodstream. This process prevents the nutrients from interacting with digestive enzymes, which occurs when you ingest food or supplements.
When you consume these substances, digestive enzymes break down supplements and food, which can keep your body from absorbing all of the nutrients. During this process, your body may absorb only about half of the available nutrients, while the remainder is excreted via your urine.
However, when vitamins are delivered directly into your bloodstream, you can absorb up to 90% of the available nutrients, because they’re bypassing the digestive enzymes.
2. Boost energy
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 10% of Americans lack proper amounts of several minerals and vitamins, including iron and vitamins C, D, B6, and B12. Factors including poor diet, stress, and improper absorption are common causes of these deficiencies, which can result in fatigue, a weakened immune system, and less energy.
IV therapy can help you replace these lacking nutrients efficiently, because they’re delivered directly into your bloodstream. The result can make you feel more awake and energetic naturally.
3. Treat chronic pain
IV therapy can be effective for many types of chronic pain. For example, if your pain is caused by inflammation, your IV therapy can include ingredients like the antioxidant glutathione. The effect can help boost your immune system, treat the affected areas, and reduce inflammation. If you have muscle damage, a nutrient like magnesium may be used to promote regrowth in affected areas.
IV therapy is valuable, because it can be effective without the risk of addiction associated with pain medication. There’s no risk of becoming conditioned to IV therapy and requiring higher doses. IV therapy can treat any kind of chronic pain, whether it’s caused by a chronic disease, injury, an autoimmune disorder, or nervous system dysfunction.
4. Restore hydration
An IV therapy formula rich in antioxidants can be an effective way to restore hydration after a period of excessive alcohol intake, intense exercise, or persistent vomiting or diarrhea. Pre- and post-performance hydration can help prevent heat exhaustion and enhance hydration for athletes who perform in hot environments.
If illness or other factors increase your risk of severe dehydration, IV therapy can help you avoid this potentially life-threatening condition. Rehydrating your body with IV therapy can also help you fight exhaustion and jet lag that can occur as a result of daily stress and overexertion.
5. Enhance immune function
IV therapy can be an effective tool in helping your immune system fight off viral infections and chronic illnesses. One common formulation used in IV therapy is called a Myers cocktail. The formulation is named for John Myers, MD, a pioneer in the use of IV nutritional medicine. The main ingredients include magnesium, B vitamins, calcium, and vitamin C.
A Myers cocktail can also promote relief from certain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, fatigue, muscle aches, stress, migraines, depression, allergies, and acute asthma attacks. IV therapy is especially valuable if you’re experiencing these conditions and can’t swallow vitamin pills or digest food properly.
6. Promote sports recovery
Since athletes and people who participate in high-intensity sports demand more from their bodies, they use more nutrients than less active individuals. IV therapy can help you restore optimal nutrient levels for peak recovery and performance.
IV therapy is an effective treatment to deliver a pre-competition boost and promote post-competition recovery naturally. Both strength and endurance athletes can benefit from IV therapy that contains vitamins and minerals that boost energy and performance. Personalized IV formulations can also reduce muscle aches and encourage faster rehabilitation.
