I.V. Nutrient Therapy

The use of intravenous (IV) nutrient (i.e. vitamin and mineral) therapy was established by Dr. John Myers, a medical doctor from Baltimore, Maryland, as a treatment for a variety of health conditions. Today, it is used in the field of integrative medicine as a safe and effective therapy to correct nutritional deficiencies more quickly than oral supplementation alone. The nutrients are directly absorbed into the tissues via the bloodstream, thereby bypassing the digestive tract and liver. As a result, it is better tolerated by individuals because it does not have the same side effects of digestive upset or diarrhea which often accompany oral doses of these nutrients.

It has also been found that IV administration of nutrients can achieve serum concentrations not obtainable with oral, or even intramuscular (IM) administration. For example, oral supplementation with either magnesium or vitamin C results in little or no change in serum concentrations of these nutrients, whereas IV administration can double or triple the serum levels for a short period of time, thereby exerting more of a pharmacological affect. Overall, IV therapy can improve an individual’s health status in a much shorter period than oral supplementation alone, thus minimizing the number of oral supplements required.

There are many different types of nutrients that can be used for IV therapy, these include: vitamins (e.g. vitamin C, B vitamins), minerals (e.g. calcium, magnesium, zinc), amino acids (e.g. carnitine, glycine, tryptophan), antioxidants (e.g. glutathione), and homeopathics.  The combination of nutrients used, as well as the frequency of IV treatment, will depend on both the condition and or symptoms being treated and the patient’s response to IV therapy. 

For more information about IV nutrient therapy, please speak with Dr. Sjovold at your next appointment.