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Dr. Tania Dempsey | Functional Medicine Docotor NY

IV Therapy

IV Vitamin Drip: Top 5 IV Nutrients

 

First, why do you need IV nutrients? In a perfect world, we would be eating food jam-packed with the highest amounts of nutrients grown on the most fertile soil and our bodies would be in tip-top shape because we wouldn't be exposed to stress, toxins and irritants. But…it’s not a perfect world. This is how IV nutrient drips can be a big game changer.  IV nutrients go directly into the blood stream and then to every cell in the body.  Your cells will soak up these nutrients like a dry sponge and will allow the healing process to begin. Here are the top 5 nutrients to look for in your IV drip.

 

1. Glutathione (GSH)

 

One of the strongest antioxidants in the body, glutathione is the mother of all antioxidants. It works to help clear toxins, fight pathogens, detox, and reduce inflammation.

 

Glutathione is made in every cell in the body and in the liver.  Every time we are exposed to pollution, medications, household chemicals, stress, trauma, aging, mold, infections and radiation, your GSH levels become depleted. Additionally, there are genetic variations called SNP’s, which may predispose you to having lower GSH levels.

 

Glutathione is given as a ‘boost’ meaning it’s a quick IV push of glutathione straight into your veins and straight into the body waiting to thrive off this powerful antioxidant.

 

2. Magnesium (Mg)

 

You’ve probably heard that magnesium is an important mineral, but did you know it can help improve bodily functions like:

  • Brain function: Mg can improve the way your nerves function and communicate together. Allowing for quicker response and sharper reactions.

  • Heart health: Mg can be used for elevated blood pressure pressure, abnormal heart rate, palpitations and it helps your veins and arteries relax.

  • Bone health: Mg is essential for bone health.  It works with calcium and vitamin D to build strong bones.

  • Pregnancy: Mg can help prevent edema and swelling during pregnancy

  • Intestinal health: Constipation is often relieved with magnesium, as it helps with digestion and intestinal contraction.

  • Energy: ATP is the way the body makes and uses energy, and Mg is a major co-factor in ensuring that energy can be used on demand!

 

Magnesium is one of those nutrients that most everyone is deficient in because it gets depleted very quickly.  When you drink coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages, drink alcohol, eat foods high in carbohydrates and refined sugar, take certain medications and deal with stress, your body uses more magnesium and excretes the rest through the kidneys.  Magnesium can be difficult to absorb orally, so IV Magnesium gets around this and rebuilds levels quickly.

 

3.  Vitamin C

 

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, one that we cannot live without.  Vitamin C is necessary for our production of energy, for our immune system to help fight infections, and for manufacturing collagen which makes up all our skin, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons and bones.

 

IV Vitamin C can be given as part of a vitamin cocktail or it can be given alone.  High dose vitamin C has been studied in the treatment of cancer and there is ongoing research in this area.  It is also used in anti-viral protocols, for supporting the immune system with other infections, for wound healing after surgery, and to help with fatigue and stress.

 

Side effects with IV vitamin C are rare but a genetic deficiency of G6PD can cause a condition called hemolytic anemia with high dosages of Vitamin C.  Screening for G6PD deficiency is done before starting the infusion process.

 

4. Myer’s Cocktail/ Vitamin Drip

 

“The Myer’s cocktail” is a blend of vitamins and minerals that was pioneered over 50 years ago by the late Dr. John Myer’s to treat many different conditions.  When he died in 1984, the exact recipe for the cocktail was unknown until Dr. Alan R. Gaby, MD, a specialist in nutritional medicine, recreated the formula based on his research. He has treated thousands of patients and has found that the following conditions responded well to this IV treatment: migraines, asthma, fatigue, muscle spasms and cramps, upper respiratory infections, and seasonal allergies.   The IV contains magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, and B vitamins including B12 and the dosages are individualized to each patient.

 

The Myer’s cocktail can be thought of as an intravenous multivitamin and can be used in patients who cannot digest or absorb their nutrients orally.  It can also be used to boost energy, help combat fatigue, help the immune system when fighting an infection, and help improve athletic performance.

5. Zinc

Zinc deficiency is more common than you think and is a serious problem worldwide.  As many as 40% of adults over the age of 60 and 2.2 billion people worldwide have zinc deficiency.  Zinc is a critical mineral because every single cell in your body uses it for many different functions. Without it, your cells will stop growing.  Zinc is essential for DNA synthesis, for regulating the immune system, for proper function of our digestive system, for the integrity of our skin, a for hormone production, including thyroid, adrenal and sex hormones.

 

IV Zinc is usually given as an add-on to the Myer’s Cocktail Vitamin drip.

The information provided in this page is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. This web site is not intended to replace the advice of a patient-physician relationship. 

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