Discussion on IV Therapy
I am very happy that we are now offering IV therapy at NaturoMedica! IV therapy is an excellent way to replenish the body’s essential nutrients, quickly, safely and effectively. There are some questions about IVs that come up frequently, so I thought I would break it down to some of the IV basics. Below are our most commonly asked questions regarding IV therapy. Hopefully, this will help you understand the benefits of IV therapy and how IV therapy may be a useful tool in helping you achieve your optimal level of health.
As you will see, we offer quite a variety of IVs. I have listed the key ingredients and a brief note on their main uses, but if you have more questions about a particular IV or about the treatment in general, feel free to contact the office and I will be happy to answer your questions.
NaturoMedica’s IV Therapy Program:
What is it? IV therapy is a way to introduce high doses of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients into your body through the bloodstream. Because we are bypassing the GI system, people with digestive problems often tolerate IV supplementation much better than oral supplementation. IV therapy is also advantageous because the nutrients are placed directly in your bloodstream where the body’s cells have prime access to all the beneficial ingredients – so the effects can often be more powerful and faster-acting than with oral supplementation.
How long do the effects last? IV nutrients can remain in your body for several hours to several days, but the effects of supplementing your body with vitamins, anti-oxidants, minerals and other nutrients can last weeks or even months. Our goal with IV therapy is to support the body in functioning at its highest level by providing all the nutrients it requires for optimal immune function, cellular metabolism and detoxification.
What does the treatment entail? A very small plastic catheter is used to infuse the IV – the procedure is much like a blood draw. I try to make it as quick and painless as possible! Once the IV is placed, there is just a small flexible plastic tube in your arm, no needle. Depending on the length of your IV treatment, you may want to bring something to do while you are waiting. If you want to watch a movie or listen to music on your phone, ipad, or computer, be sure to bring headphones.
How long is the treatment? An IV therapy appointment will last approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on
the type of IV you are receiving. We will check-in briefly to see how you are doing, take your blood pressure and then begin treatment. Some IVs must run slower because of what they contain, while others can be run more quickly. This is why the treatment times vary. It can also depend on how hydrated you are or how much you have had to eat. It is important to arrive to your appointment well-hydrated and having eaten some protein at least one hour prior to the treatment.
What types of IVs do you offer? The IVs we offer at NaturoMedica are aimed at prolonging your health by promoting immune function, cellular energy, and detoxification. We prescribe IVs based on the symptoms you are experiencing or by appropriate lab tests that reveal specific deficiencies in your body. Here is a list of the IVs we are currently offering and their uses:
Nutrient Replenisher
Contains B vitamins, trace minerals, amino acids, vitamin C, and antioxidants ~ used for fatigue, stress and immune support.
Approximate treatment time: 90 minutes
Premium Nutrient Replenisher
Contains B vitamins, trace minerals, and amino acids, a very high dose of vitamin C, and powerful antioxidants ~ helpful for extreme fatigue, for acutely boosting immunity and amplifying nutrient status - similar to the Nutrient Replenisher but with triple the antioxidant power!
Approximate treatment time: 120 min
Iron IV
Contains very high doses of iron sucrose ~ to efficiently replenish iron stores.
Approximate treatment time: 60 min
Liver Support
Contains Phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid ~ to promote proper liver metabolism of fat and cholesterol, support detoxification, and improve mental clarity.
Approximate treatment time: 60 min
Ultimate Antioxidant
Contains Alpha-lipoic Acid, an antioxidant ~ for exposure to significant oxidative stress- stimulates production of CoQ10, glutathione, and vitamin E.
Approximate treatment time: 60 min
Muscle Tension Relaxer
Contains B vitamins, high-dose magnesium, minerals, and taurine ~ to promote muscle relaxation and provide necessary electrolytes for tissue repair.
Approximate treatment time: 60 min
Amino Acid Recharge
Contains over a dozen essential amino acids, including
threonine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine ~ for optimizing cellular
energy, detoxification, and renewal.
Approximate treatment time: 60 min
In addition to our IV drips, we also offer a few shorter IV pushes – for nutrient support in between treatments or when time is limited. If you are curious about whether IVs might be a good option for you, your NaturoMedica doctor will be able to discuss this with you in further detail. Or you can set up a brief consult with me and we can assess whether IVs are indicated for your healthcare needs!
If you would like any additional information about our IVs, feel free to contact NaturoMedica and I can answer any further questions that come up for you!
