IV Drip Therapy
Intravenous (IV) drip therapy has exploded in popularity in recent years as a wellness and anti-aging treatment. The idea of directly infusing vitamins, minerals, and other substances into your body to quickly achieve the benefits certainly appeals to people who desire faster results.
According to Healthline, vitamins and nutrients given through IV drip therapy have a higher absorption rate of 90% compared to oral supplements, with only a 50% absorption rate. Simply put, your body receives a higher concentration of the substances faster than vitamins taken orally.
But is pumping your body full of substances via IV safe and effective? The wellness hype suggests IV therapy is a medical cure, but the medical reality is more complex, with considerable risks to know before you go sticking needles in your arm. That said, this article will examine the common types, their proposed benefits, and their possible side effects to help you decide whether this therapy is for you.
Table of Contents
What is IV drip therapy?
For starters, IV drip therapy is the process of infusing fluids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids directly into your bloodstream via an intravenous line. It lets the nutrients bypass the digestive system and enter circulation rapidly.
Some common types include:
- Myers’ cocktail: This contains vitamins B-complex and C, magnesium, calcium, and other nutrients. It aims to replenish nutrients, increase energy, and support immunity.
- Glutathione drip: Glutathione is an antioxidant that may help reduce inflammation and improve immunity.
- Vitamin C drip: High-dose vitamin C is thought to act as an antioxidant, boost immunity, and aid collagen formation.
- B-complex drip: B vitamins support energy levels, brain function, and nerve health.
- NAD+ drip: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is involved in cell repair and may exhibit anti-aging effects.
- Saline drip: Saline solution replenishes fluids and electrolytes.
Even though these substances only bypass your digestive system, you can’t just inject large doses of these into your body and expect great results. Thus, it’s recommended to consult with qualified medical professionals for IV drip therapy in Sydney or similar experts in your locality. Remember, more is not necessarily better when it comes to IV nutrients.
Potential benefits of IV drip therapy
Advocates claim IV drip therapy provides greater benefits than regular supplements because it skips digestion and goes straight into your blood. But do the promises really stack up? Here are some advantages worth taking note of:
- Increased energy and reduced fatigue
The vitamin and mineral combos in some IV drips may give you an initial burst of energy, especially if you have deficiencies.
- Immunity boost
IV vitamin C may provide more antioxidant power than oral doses. However, more research is needed to support immunity claims.
- Reduced inflammation
As per the National Library of Medicine, glutathione and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) have antioxidant properties that may decrease inflammation when given intravenously at appropriate doses. However, some oral supplements have shown similar efficacy with lower risks.
- Healthy skin and collagen production
Vitamin C is needed for collagen synthesis and may improve skin health when properly dosed.
The takeaway is that many of the mentioned advantages lack strong proof in clinical studies. So, ensure to proceed with caution before accepting these benefits as fact. Better yet, you can gather reviews or feedback from people who’ve tried IV drip therapy and find out about their results. You can also talk to your doctor about proven benefits.
Risks and side effects
While IV therapy may offer benefits in some situations, it also carries risks, especially when administered improperly. For one, it’s five times more likely to cause a medication administration error (MAE) compared to non-IV administration. Other potential dangers include:
- Infection
Anytime someone’s skin is punctured with a needle, there’s the risk of introducing bacteria and causing infection if things aren’t properly sterilized. Thus, ensure that you only work with licensed providers who follow stringent safety protocols to avoid infection or, worse, cross-contamination.
- Air embolism
When air bubbles get into your bloodstream through the IV line, it can block blood flow and cause heart attacks or strokes. Proper IV protocols aim to eliminate any air getting in, but human error happens.
- Low calcium
High doses of vitamin C from an IV can cause blood calcium levels to drop in some individuals. This can lead to muscle cramps and heart arrhythmias if not monitored.
- Allergic reaction
Just like food or drugs, allergies to ingredients in the IV drip can trigger a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Thus, if you have any prior allergies, screening is a must.
- Toxicity
Too high a dose of vitamins and nutrients from IVs raises your risk of toxicity and dangerous side effects like organ damage. That said, dosing needs to be personalized and controlled.
So, in considering IV therapy, you have to weigh some heavy potential risks with the benefits.
Takeaway
IV drip therapy can provide nutritional supplementation, hydration, and other touted benefits. However, it also brings inherent risks, particularly if not properly administered. So, thoroughly research its uses, be realistic about proposed advantages not backed by science, vet your provider, and carefully weigh if potential rewards outweigh possible risks for your situation. When used correctly under doctor supervision for appropriate reasons, IV therapy can be a helpful treatment – but it is not a cure-all.
