Vitamin IV therapy: Pros and cons
IV drips became widely used in the 1950s, notably when Dr. John Myers invented the ever-popular Myers’ cocktail – a mix of wellness-boosting vitamins and minerals. Since then, medical developments and our appetite for pushing the boundaries means that IV vitamin therapy has developed from something that was purely used in hospitals to a wellness treatment that is quite accessible for the average person.
Are you considering getting a drip? Here we take a look at vitamin IV therapy pros and cons to help you make an informed decision for your health.
Benefits of IV therapy
Some of the most common reasons people decide to get an IV drip include:
- Suspected vitamin deficiency
- To help with chronic health issues
- To feel (and look) younger
- To take a proactive approach to health
- To feel more energised
Here, we take a look at the benefits of IV drip therapy:
It’s a fast and convenient way to get nutrients when compared to vitamin tablets
To get the benefit from oral supplements, they should be taken daily for as long as they are needed. One of the downsides to this is the inconvenience of remembering to take them daily. They also take a long time to build up in the body to required levels – sometimes months. Therefore, the benefit will not be seen for quite some time. When it comes to IV drip therapy, the procedure itself can take between 45 minutes to an hour but as the nutrients are directly administered into the bloodstream via a cannula, they can immediately be used by the body – no waiting around required!
No vitamins wasted
When oral supplements are consumed, they pass through our gut. Here, they are broken down and absorbed into the body. However, in the process, many of the nutrients are lost and only a small amount are absorbed. Even less is absorbed in people with chronic gut issues, as mentioned above.
It’s ideal for people with chronic health issues
Vitamin absorption can be greatly affected in those with chronic health issues. Why? Chronic health issues, including coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS) cause inflammation. Inflammation, in moderation, is good for us as it essentially activates the immune system to fight infections, but when the inflammation becomes too much and is sustained for a long period of time, it can upset the balance of gut microbiota. Inflammation essentially makes it more difficult for the body to absorb nutrients and digest food.
If you have a gut issue, no matter how good your diet, the body will not absorb enough nutrients through food alone. Using IV drips bypasses the need for them to be absorbed by the gut (or not absorbed, as the case may be). When they are delivered directly into the bloodstream, the full amount of vitamins can be utilised by the body.
Not sure if you have a gut issue? They aren’t always obvious, but symptoms like frequent gas, diarrhoea and bloating can indicate a potential underlying concern.
Lessens signs of aging
Some IV drips are designed to slow the ageing process – both visually and on a cellular level. What does this really mean? Fewer age-related diseases, more energy, and more youthful-looking skin. Some of the ingredients hailed as anti-ageing solutions include NAD+ and glutathione, and are most effective when delivered directly into the bloodstream using an IV drip.
The disadvantages of IV drips
No medical intervention is without risk. However, the risks associated with IV drips, when carried out at a medically-led clinic, are small. Here are some points to consider:
Allergic reactions
In the same way as it’s conceivable to develop an allergy to food, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to ingredients in a drip at any point. This is why it is so important to attend a medically-led clinic. This ensures that your safety will be placed first and doctors will be fully prepared to cope with any eventuality.
Risk of infection
Although highly unusual, it is possible to experience infection at the site of the IV drip. Use a trusted clinic where you feel confident about their experience and hygiene standards. It is common to experience some bruising at the injection site, but this usually disappears after a few days.
Excess nutrients
Too much of something can be just as dangerous as not enough. IV drips contain vitamins in higher concentrations than you would normally obtain from your diet, but a good clinic will give you a thorough consultation and discuss any symptoms and risks with you prior to treatment. They will usually recommend testing prior to your drip to pinpoint any deficiencies.
Is vitamin therapy worth it?
Many people who have IV drips for vitamin therapy boast about the benefits and how great they feel afterwards. As with any medical treatment, more research is needed, but IV vitamin therapy is generally considered to be safe when carried out under the medical supervision of a doctor. As with any medical procedure there are risks involved, but hopefully we have given you enough information to make an informed decision about your wellness.
