The use of intravenous (IV) infusion therapy has been a critical part of patient care for decades, serving as a quick and reliable solution to dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, and the administration of medications to prevent or treat certain potentially life-threatening conditions. deadly.
These days, it’s not uncommon to see IV therapy used in an almost lifestyle health context, whether it’s on-demand or mobile IV clinics promising quick hangover cures, or wellness brands promising to transform your lifestyle. health and vitality.
There are so many of these trendy IV therapies that it can be hard to tell which ones are credible; yes, some IV therapies can be really effective!
Intravenous therapy has been prized by the medical establishment for years as a means of symptom control, and now it may finally be gaining a place as a viable avenue for general wellness and for boosting the immune system as part of anti-inflammatory treatments. cancer.
Here’s the story behind how nutritional IV therapy has gained popularity (and relevance) and the many ways it supports improved health and wellness.
therapeutic link
IV nutritional therapy became popular because of the link between micronutrients and health problems.
It is essential to replenish water-soluble vitamins such as vitamins B and C every day.
Although these are readily available in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, we often do not consume enough to meet our recommended daily intake of vitamins.
Some of our lifestyle choices like alcohol, excess caffeine, stress, and smoking may also be depleting our body’s supply.
The consequence is that when we get sick, we may not have enough of these essential vitamins to speed up the healing process.
In recent decades, longevity and general health have improved; however, micronutrient deficiency has increased.
A national survey conducted between 2003 and 2006 evaluated the health of 16,000 Americans and 19 micronutrients.
The results indicate that the adult population in the United States is deficient in essential vitamins and minerals, ranging from vitamin B6 and niacin to copper, selenium, and vitamins A, C, D, and E.
Vitamin deficiency leads to problems such as increased inflammation, decreased immunity, surgical complications, and impaired postoperative recovery.
These deficiencies are also thought to contribute to chronic disease, mental health problems, and autoimmunity.
In 2012, the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that more than half of the US population had diabetes or obesity, and more than 50 million had an autoimmune disease.
Eating more of certain foods like citrus fruits and vegetables, or taking supplements, can increase your vitamin intake, but there’s a limit to how much is okay before you experience stomach upset.
The amount of nutrients absorbed through the intestine is often quite suboptimal due to a variety of digestive problems.
One method of ensuring we get substantial doses of essential vitamins is by injecting them into our veins, a direct route into our system.
Benefits of IV Nutritional Therapy
IV nutritional therapy works well to deliver the correct amount of vitamins our bodies need.
Improved absorption and bioavailability are key advantages of IV therapy, opening the door to better treatment options.
For example, the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that patients showed greater progress in the areas of wound healing, fistula closure, nitrogen balance, strength, and activity during recovery when they received micronutrients. through intravenous therapy.
Outside of hospitals, intravenous therapy has shown even greater potential in its range of benefits.
Intravenous nutritional therapy is used every day by certified healthcare providers to treat everything from allergic rhinitis and asthma to immune disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, heavy metal toxicity, migraines, hormonal imbalances , insomnia, anxiety, depression, and more.
Nutritional IV therapy opens up a new form of treatment for many patients who have problems with oral medications or who require rapid delivery of vitamins to boost the immune system or help prevent jet lag.
Certainly intravenous therapies help to optimize general well-being, but they are also appropriate for patients with severe inflammatory responses, allergies, food intolerances, gastric bypass or gastritis.
Some common examples include:
> Iron to correct iron deficiency anemia.
> Magnesium to help with hypertension and discourage eclampsia and premature labor.
> Treatments that stimulate energy and metabolism to prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD) depression and to accelerate weight loss efforts.
> The use of potent combinations of vitamins and minerals to treat postoperative malnutrition, especially after sleeve gastrectomy, band or gastric bypass.
> The use of L-carnitine and other nutrients have been shown to reduce muscle fatigue and soreness after training in extreme athletes.
> Intravenous use of sodium edetate to aid in heavy metal detoxification.
> Short-term intravenous deoxycholic acid therapy to help dissolve cardiac and carotid plaques and significantly improve lipid profiles.
Eight things to keep in mind
If you are considering intravenous nutritional therapy, remember that some clinics do it better than others.
Here are some key things to pay attention to before and during your treatment session.
> If they ask you to choose your “IV Cocktail” from a menu, run!
A genuine health facility will make diagnoses before you can begin treatment.
> A credible practice will also let you know that informed consent is required from patients.
> Before receiving treatment, a full panel of blood tests should be performed.
The health care provider should review the patient’s chart and make a diagnosis based on symptoms before recommending intravenous treatment.
> Precautions and investigations are necessary to prevent possible allergies and determine the recommended daily amounts.
Staff should monitor levels of key vitamins and minerals (such as iron) to ensure they remain within safe limits.
> Providers should be aware of the osmolality (the concentration of dissolved particulate chemicals and minerals such as sodium and other electrolytes) for IV solutions, signs of discomfort, how to handle complaints, and adverse reactions during the procedure.
> A staff member must be present during the session and always have an emergency stop cart on hand.
> To maintain the integrity of the ingredients, the infusions should only be prepared a few hours before therapy, rather than the night before.
> UV protectors should be used on light-sensitive antioxidants and, where possible, use essential nutrient compounds that do not contain preservatives.
Datuk Dr. Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, and a Functional Medicine Practitioner. For more information, email [email protected]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and should not be construed as personal medical advice. The information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant, or augment a consultation with a healthcare professional regarding the reader’s medical care. The star makes no warranties about the accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness, or other warranties as to the content that appears in this column. The star disclaims all liability for loss, property damage, or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
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