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What is Intravenous Nutrient Therapy (IVNT)
Hippocrates famously advised us to “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”, however, while the wisdom remains the same, our food does not. Modern food is often modified and highly processed, or grown in polluted soil, leaving many of us deficient in essential nutrients.
Intravenous Nutrient Therapy (IVNT) is a method of delivering vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly to the bloodstream. Strongly backed by medical and scientific studies, it is changing the way we heal patients.
IV Nutrient therapy may:
Improve energy and vitality
Improve the immune system and help fight viral illness
Help maintain muscle mass on low calorie diet
Treat chronic issues such as migraines and fibromyalgia
Improve symptoms of stress and depression
Improve athletic performance and recovery
Treat heavy metal toxicity
Cure the common cold
Help jet lag
… and even treat hangovers!
IVNT is used to correct intracellular nutrient deficiencies. Oral intake of equivalent high doses is simply not possible due to absorption limitations from the digestive process, meaning only a small amount of the nutrient reaches the cells. Patients can get up to 10 times the nutrients in one treatment than they could get orally in one day.
Although the high doses do not remain in our system for long they can set of a series of biochemical reactions that can give lasting effects.
A good example of this is the use of Vitamin C when trying to overcome a viral cold. The antiviral effects of Vitamin C are seen when blood levels are around 10-15 mg/dL, a level achievable with IV therapy but not orally. Oral dosage typically peaks with blood levels around 1.2-4.0 mg/dL, where IV therapy peaks at 50-90 mg/dL.
With the addition of amino acids, IVNT is more advanced than the original IV Vitamin Therapy known as the “Myer’s Cocktail”. This originated in the USA, where John Myers MD, used an intravenous vitamin and mineral formula for the treatment of a wide range of clinical conditions such as fatigue, migraines, allergic rhinitis, muscle spasms and even cardiovascular disease. Myers used these safely for 25 years from 1959.
How do you know you need extra nutrients?
The British Nutrient Council advises “anyone concerned about whether their diet is providing enough nutrients to discuss this with a health professional.They can give you advice about whether supplements will have health benefits for you in your particular circumstances.”
We have many lab tests available that can test for vitamin, mineral and amino acid deficiency. Most patients will benefit from a surge in energy and wellbeing with a one off IV vitamin and mineral infusion and the effects will last for up to a week.
How is IVNT administered
Safety is our primary concern, and one of our doctors will see you prior to recommending an IVNT plan and will discuss your medical history and assess your suitability. IV nutrients are powerful substances which can interact with certain prescription medications.
We offer different customised IVNT protocols depending on individual need. All our ingredients are highly purified, almost all delivered in individual single use vials, unlike those utilised by many other clinics.
Many patients begin to feel the effects during the IV therapy, which then continues over the following hours and days. It doesn’t take long to start feeling refreshed, re-energised, and revitalised.
Your treatment will be administered by our fully trained, skilled and attentive nurses. The treatment takes 30 to 60 minutes, administered via either a small needle or a cannula. Extra fluids can additionally be added in cases of dehydration or salt depletion.
There are many clinics offering this therapy, however concerning numbers do not have access to their clients’ medical records. They may be unaware of any pre-existing conditions which could be adversely affected by these infusions, or any other contraindications such as medications that may interact with the treatment.
Nutrients used in our protocols include:
Mineral
Minerals are inorganic substances that are found in soil and rocks. They are essential nutrients for the body to survive and carry out daily functions and processes. Despite their necessity, in testing we find deficiencies common.
Magnesium Sulphate
Calcium Gluconate
Selenium
Zinc
Vitamins
These are important for well being, immunity, energy and mood. Oral doses are often not absorbed well and will not reach high enough concentrations, for example for treating viral infections.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B complex
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B5)
Amino Acids
These allow your body to build proteins that provide your body with the necessary materials to create new neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA. Anything from illness, genetics, stress, or alcohol and drug use drain your body’s neurotransmitter sources, so providing your body the vital materials to produce more may allow both your mind and body to function more effectively.
Arginine
Carnitine
Choline
Cysteine
Glutamine
Glycine
Lysine
Methionine
Ornithine
Phenyalanine
Taurine
Glutathione