Injectable Nutrient Therapy: Types, Benefits, and Review

IV nutrition therapy has become increasingly popular and sought after in recent years for combating dehydration, jet lag, recovery and healing, and more. Now, IV therapy is popular for a new use: injectable IV nutrient therapy. You may have heard of people getting vitamin shots, such as B12 shots, or maybe even gotten them yourself. But now, you can receive a cocktail of nutrients customized to your body and needs through an IV drip. Healthier skin, a stronger immune system, improved sleep, and better nutrient absorption are a few health benefits injectable nutrient therapy provides through the infusion of various vitamins and minerals. 

However, like all wellness fads, it’s reasonable to question the real benefits of IV nutrient therapy, if it actually works, and if it’s a treatment you need. Nutrients are a crucial part of our health and keep the human body functioning optimally, and vitamins in the form of supplements have been popular for decades. So is injectable Nutrient therapy the new best way to provide your body with all the vitamins and minerals it needs for optimal health and function?

In this article, you’ll get an overview of injectable Nutrient therapy, the different types you can get, the benefits, and if this wellness treatment is right for you.

What is IV Nutrient Therapy?

IV, or injectable, Nutrient therapy uses an IV drip to infuse a mix of vitamins and minerals directly into your bloodstream for easier vitamin intake and absorption. It’s done through an IV drip or an IV push and requires medical supervision. Injectable vitamin therapy allows for essential vitamins and minerals to be delivered to the body directly through the bloodstream and bypass the digestive system. This avoids the potential of many vitamins and minerals being lost or not getting absorbed. 

With this type of vitamin therapy, patients can be sure that they receive the crucial nutrients their body needs and that no vitamins or minerals are getting missed, whether from diet or the body and organs not properly absorbing ingested nutrients. IV nutrient therapy also allows the body and organs to immediately receive the needed nutrients without delay, which can aid in a quicker process and results in issues like dehydration and recovery. In addition, IV nutrient therapy also helps promote a healthy lifestyle and helps patients return to feeling 100% faster. A practitioner can create a custom vitamin cocktail specific to each patient’s needs to administer the right vitamins and amount to achieve optimal health and benefits.

This treatment is especially beneficial for those who experience digestive complications and irregularities, struggle to absorb nutrients naturally, or have certain dietary restrictions that prevent them from getting specific nutrients from food. IV nutrient therapy is also a good ‘as needed’ treatment option to help maintain a healthy lifestyle and bounce back from specific scenarios like travel, sickness, athletic performance, and more. However, it’s important to note that this type of vitamin therapy is not a substitute for a healthy, balanced diet. It’s important to still add foods into your diet that are rich in various nutrients to get as many vitamins and minerals as you can naturally through food. And you can add vitamin therapies to supplement your diet and provide extra healing and health benefits.

What to Expect During IV Nutrition Therapy?

All IV nutrient treatments should be administered by a professional in a facility to ensure safety, health, and the best results possible. The process of an IV nutrient therapy session usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the infusion selected for each patient and each session.

Before a session, a practitioner will perform an assessment involving an overview of your medical history, discuss your health needs and goals with vitamin therapy, and possibly a short medical evaluation before determining the appropriate treatment. The practitioner will then prepare the vitamin infusion for your treatment. 

The practitioner will start administering the IV nutrient therapy by inserting a tiny needle into one of your veins and securing it. A tube connects the needle to the IV drip. The drip will consist of a vitamin cocktail that has saline and a mix of vitamins and minerals formulated for your specific needs.

Once the IV drip has been started, all you have to do is sit back and relax. Your IV nutrition therapy and vitals will be closely monitored to ensure the IV drip flows at the correct rate during your session. Once the IV therapy is complete, the practitioner will carefully remove the IV and then put pressure over the insertion area to prevent bleeding and bruising. The practitioner may also dress the site with a cotton ball and adhesive tape. 

Types of IV Nutrition Ingredients

Many different types of vitamins can be administered using IV nutrition therapy. And often, multiple different kinds are combined to treat certain conditions. Each facility that provides IV nutrient therapy may have its own menu of different vitamin infusion formulas to treat things such as hangovers, sickness recovery, hydration, jet lag, workout recovery, and more. The vitamins and minerals contained in these different formulas at various facilities may vary. Below, we’ll review the common vitamins used in IV nutrient therapy infusions and their functions.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a commonly used vitamin for IV nutrition therapy with many uses and benefits. It’s a water-soluble antioxidant that’s shown to regenerate other antioxidants in the body. Vitamin C is well-known for immunity support, and it’s also essential for the production of collagen. Collagen is a crucial component of connective tissue that aids in wound healing and promotes youthful, glowing skin. Vitamin C is commonly used in IV nutrient infusions for immunity support and is often combined with other vitamins and minerals like zinc to help fight off infections.

Other uses and benefits of vitamin C include:

• Aids the body’s natural defense 
• Acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent
• Aids in the synthesis of serotonin and other neurotransmitters
• Helps with certain neurological disorders
• Helps lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease

Glutathione

Glutathione is naturally found in the body and is a super antioxidant necessary for almost every bodily process. It’s also known to help fight free radicals and protect cells from damage caused by toxins. This compound is primarily made up of three essential amino acids; cysteine, glutamate, and glycine. It’s also commonly known as a great compound for detoxification because of its ability to boost skin health, body function, general mood, and well-being. 

Adding glutathione into an IV nutrient infusion could provide benefits such as:

• Supports the immune system and aids in disease prevention
• Brightening the skin by eliminating hyper-pigmentation and suppressing melanin synthesis in cells
• Facilitating the breakdown of fat 
• Increasing energy and mental clarity
• Improving the quality of sleep
• Aiding in managing stress
• Detoxifying the body and reducing oxidative stress

Vitamin B7

Vitamin B7, commonly known as biotin, is one of the many B-complex vitamins that have a critical role in the conversion of food into energy during the digestion process. Biotin also aids in the maintenance of other vital bodily systems since it aids in the transport and delivery of nutrients throughout the body. Essentially, biotin is crucial for optimal health. It can also be combined with other vitamins to have an anti-aging effect, such as reducing hair loss, strengthening nails, increasing skin elasticity and collagen production, and increasing energy. 

Other benefits of vitamin B7 include:

• Improves metabolism and increases metabolic rate for easier weight loss
• Improves digestion and nutrient absorption
• Improves skin conditions like psoriasis and promotes healthy skin
• Supports thyroid and adrenal function
• Boosts mood and increases energy and activity levels
• Lowers inflammation and prevents arterial plaque buildup
• Helps with muscle and joint inflammation

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) is a coenzyme that helps the body produce energy from food and is essential for the body to convert some vitamins into useful forms. So NAD is a beneficial component to add to IV nutrient infusions, especially if one wants to ensure the function of certain vitamins or has trouble with vitamin absorption and function.

NAD is found in all living cells in the body and is essential for energy production. Besides helping boost other vitamins, NAD IV nutrient therapy can further help improve cell function and reduce inflammation. This component may not always be used in an IV nutrient therapy session, but it is great to add on if needed. You can discuss with your IV nutrition therapy practitioner if this is an available option and if it would benefit you.

Vitamin B12

Many people hear about vitamin B12 supplements in the form of oral vitamins or B12 shots. However, those aren’t the only ways to receive a boost of this beneficial vitamin. B12 is also commonly used in IV nutrient infusions. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the formation of red blood cells, which transport oxygen in the blood throughout the body for energy. The body needs this vitamin to make new cells every day, which is essential for healthy skin and hair, energy levels, bone health, the nervous system, and more. 

Many people associate B12 with energy and may take this vitamin supplement if they experience lower energy levels. But this potent vitamin can be used for so much more and is often in IV nutrient therapy infusions. Other benefits of vitamin B12 include:

• Improved cardiovascular health
• Improved brain health and function
• Improved immune system
• Improved sleep

Magnesium 

Magnesium is a mineral that comes in many forms and is essential for many bodily functions. This mineral is responsible for maintaining healthy nerve and muscle function, hormonal balance, energy levels, a healthy heart, and more. A magnesium deficiency can cause various health problems, which can be avoided or eased through a magnesium supplement. Some benefits of incorporating magnesium in IV nutrient therapy include:

• Improved athletic performance
• Increased mood and energy levels
• Healthy blood sugar levels
• Reduced inflammation 
• Reduced migraine frequency
• Reduced PMS symptoms
• Reduced anxiety symptoms

Those are just a few common vitamins and minerals used in IV nutrient therapy infusions. A qualified facility will be able to assess your needs and provide you with the right vitamins and minerals in a formula for your IV nutrition therapy session and educate you on which will be used for what.

Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant that is naturally found in some foods, including liver, spinach, broccoli, and potatoes. It is produced in small amounts within the our cells, but is also available as a dietary supplement.Some of the potential benefits of alpha lipoic acid include:

1. Reducing oxidative stress, which may help with certain cancers, diabetes and heart disease
2. Supporting brain health, and mayimprove cognitive function
3. Lowering blood sugar levels, and helping with metabolic disease
4. Reducing inflammation
5. Protecting the skin and liver

It’s worth noting that more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of alpha lipoic acid and how it works in the body. As with any supplement, it’s important to talk to your doctor before adding alpha lipoic acid to your regimen, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medication.

Benefits of IV Nutrition Therapy

The benefits of IV Nutrient therapy are vast, from the benefits that come with using IV as a treatment method to the benefits of the various vitamins and minerals used. One of the main benefits of IV nutrition therapy is that it’s quick-acting and the fastest way to receive vitamins and minerals to assist with various conditions because they’re being delivered directly to the bloodstream. This method can have a tremendous difference in the way you feel and how your body responds, making it an ideal treatment for those who need immediate effects. 

IVnutrient therapy isn’t just beneficial because of the effectiveness and efficiency of the method itself. It also helps with a variety of conditions and concerns. The benefits of IV nutrient therapy are numerous:

• Improves mental clarity and brain function
• Improves athletic performance and recovery
• Improves energy and mood levels
• Improves hydration and clearer skin
• Reduces allergies, chronic pain, migraines, and chronic fatigue symptoms
• Easier weight and diet management
• Helps correct vitamin and mineral deficiencies

The Bottom Line

IV nutrient therapy has numerous benefits and is one of the best ways to receive a boost of vitamins and minerals to optimize health and improve certain medical conditions or symptoms. To determine if this is a good treatment option for you, have a consultation with a professional who can assess your concerns, condition, and needs to create the appropriate IV nutrient therapy treatment plan for you.
Ready to get started? CORR is a premier facility providing IV nutrient therapy to optimize health and healing. Get in touch with our team today to schedule an appointment.