We live in an era where, thankfully, many people have access to medical treatments. Whether you have pains, a cold or a different health problem, you can visit your local pharmacy and find a selection of pills, cough syrups, and remedies to help support your health. A reasonably new type of treatment called IV vitamin therapy has been making waves and gaining popularity. This new trend, tried and recommended by an increasing number of people, can be used to promote good overall wellness and support all bodily functions.
If you’re wondering when to try IV vitamin therapy, look no further. Here we will take a look at why you might consider having an IV drip, how it works, and how to navigate the landscape of IV vitamin therapy.
How does IV therapy work?
One of the most common illnesses is the common cold so let’s start there. During the cold winter months, viruses spread quickly and sore throats and stuffy noses can strike even the healthiest of us. Whilst drinking plenty of water and resting is recommended, is there anything more we can be doing to help us recover from a cold? Or even prevent us from getting a cold in the first place? Vitamins are what help our body fight off illnesses so let’s take a closer look at that.
The majority of people will supplement their diet with oral supplements, but the issue is that it can take some time – months even – for the vitamins to build up in the system enough to make any difference to our health. Additionally, only a small percentage of the vitamins we eat are absorbed by the body because they need to pass through the digestive system, where much is lost. Imagine skipping the queue at the digestive buffet and getting a VIP pass straight to the good stuff. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it?
IV vitamin therapy was once something that you would only get in a hospital setting, however over the last few years healthcare professionals have been providing IV drips to people with vitamin deficiencies to help them stay in tip-top health. They contain varying cocktails of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and are introduced into the bloodstream via a cannula in the arm, giving the body the nutrients it needs immediately, without needing to wait for levels to build up.
Beyond hype: The scientific community
Vitamins and minerals are what fuel our bodies and make them function well. Although science tells us that vitamins are indeed beneficial for us, more research into the impact of IV vitamin therapy would be beneficial and can help broaden our knowledge of the benefits.
The cocktail conundrum: Unpacking the IV menus
IV vitamin therapy comes in all shapes and sizes, meaning picking an IV can feel overwhelming. Almost any combination of vitamins and minerals can be mixed to suit your specific needs.
One of the most alluring promises of IV drips is that of more energy. IV cocktails often contain B vitamins, known for their role in energy metabolism. While you’re likely to get an energy boost, it’s crucial to remember that fatigue has many causes, and addressing all underlying factors, like sleep hygiene and nutrition, is key to achieving lasting energy.
So which IV drip is best for you? Your chosen IV clinic will be able to advise you based on your medical history, symptoms, and goals. Some of the more common IV drips will include detoxing ingredients, like vitamin C to get rid of toxins in the body, and anti-inflammatory ingredients like amino acids, B complex, and magnesium.
Other reasons to consider an IV drip
- You have a health condition: Individuals with certain conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other autoimmune diseases, who have issues absorbing the nutrients from food. For these people, IV therapy offers an ideal way of getting the nutrients their body needs by bypassing the gut. IV therapy for people with these kinds of health conditions can change lives and allow people to function better day to day.
- You lead a demanding life: There is no doubt that modern day life is incredibly demanding – we have busy work lives, family commitments, houses to clean and look after, and we are still expected to find time for ourselves. When we are always on the go we are using up the resources that our body has faster than we can replace them through food alone. This means that it’s possible to be deficient in vitamins even if we are eating well. IV vitamin drips are a good solution for quickly topping up vitamin and nutrient levels, especially the Myers cocktail, which is known to be great for promoting overall wellness.
- For post-surgical recovery: Surgery can be a real shock to the body. Thankfully, IV drips can be used to aid recovery and help us get us back on our feet faster so we aren’t tied to the bed for days on end. Vitamins A, B, C, and D are important for tissue healing and collagen production, helping to speed up post-operative healing and recovery.
- For immune system support: We know that vitamin C helps support the immune system. Some small studies suggest vitamin C can potentially help to reduce the duration and severity of common colds, however, more research is needed in this specific area.
So, should you have an IV drip?
The primary argument for IV drips rests on their superior absorption. Oral supplements must navigate the complex labyrinth of the digestive system, facing roadblocks like stomach acid, limited absorption rates, inflammation, and potential interactions with other medications or food. These hurdles can significantly reduce the amount of nutrients actually reaching your cells. IV drips, on the other hand, deliver their payload directly into the bloodstream, circumventing these barriers and ensuring near-complete absorption. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with digestive issues, malabsorption syndromes, or those requiring high doses of nutrients for specific medical conditions.
We need to stop taking health for granted. First of all, we need to create healthy habits, pay attention to the sleeping schedule, healthy diet and physical activity. A healthy immune system is not created overnight, but IV vitamin therapy can be of great help in keeping it in good shape.
