What Is IV Nutritional Therapy?
Photo by Marcelo Leal
Want to replenish your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs? You don’t need to pop a dozen different supplements to achieve your health goals. Instead, consider IV nutritional therapy as your go-to solution.
IV nutritional therapy is becoming more popular than ever. In fact, the global market could reach $10.98 billion by 2027. More people are discovering the benefits of IV nutritional therapy and how it can support their overall health.
On the fence? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about IV therapy. Discovering IV nutritional therapy in Chicago could change your life!
Read on to learn more.
What is IV Nutritional Therapy?
When you take vitamins orally, your digestive system has to metabolize the supplements first. The metabolization process impacts how much of each vitamin enters your bloodstream. With IV nutritional therapy, however, you can bypass this process.
IV nutritional therapy allows vitamins and supplements to enter straight into the bloodstream. Your body can absorb the vitamins quickly, without waiting for your digestive system.
As a result, you can get a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids without waiting around.
These supplements enter your body through an IV, allowing them to immediately reach the bloodstream. You’re able to receive a higher concentration of nutrients as a result.
IV therapy can supplement any current treatments you’re receiving. Many patients use it to achieve their health goals by ensuring their bodies have the nutrients they need. It can also help treat medical conditions like a nutrient-deprivation absorption disorder.
If your body struggles to absorb nutrients from food, IV nutritional therapy could offer a safe, convenient option.
You can schedule therapy sessions one to two times a week. You’ll likely begin noticing the benefits of IV nutritional therapy around the third visit. As the IV does its job, you can listen to music, read, and relax.
There are different treatments available based on your health goals. However, the different combinations available can depend on the clinic you go to. You can visit a hospital or weight loss clinic to start treatment.
The Vitamins and Nutrients
Many clinics offer pre-set cocktails, each designed to accomplish different health goals. For example, you might choose a cocktail for:
- Boosting your immunity
- Detoxing
- Age management
- Illness prevention
- Boosting your energy levels
- Hangover recovery
- Athletic recovery
- Skincare
IV nutritional therapy involves a mix of different antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Choosing the right combination will help you develop a treatment based on your unique needs.
Here are a few vitamins and minerals you might want to consider as part of your treatment.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins throughout your body. Athletes sometimes take amino acids to naturally boost their athletic performance. They could impact your mood levels, too.
Your body requires 20 different amino acids to function properly. If you have an illness, however, your body might need specific amino acids.
For example, your body might struggle to fight diseases like cancer without the amino acid arginine.
An IV with amino acids could help benefit your:
- Mood
- Sleep
- Exercise performance
- Muscle loss prevention
- Weight loss goals
Amino acids also help repair tissue and ensure your body absorbs other nutrients it needs.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps your body maintain its skin, bones, cartilage, blood vessels, and teeth. Without enough vitamin C, your immune system could suffer. You might become more susceptible to certain diseases.
You could also experience poor wound healing, bleeding gums, and bruising.
Calcium
Most people know calcium for its ability to build strong bones. It also ensures your blood clots and muscles contract.
Without enough vitamin C, you could develop brittle bones and sensitive teeth. You might experience muscle cramps as well.
B-Complex
The B vitamins are essential for brain function, cell metabolism, and energy. Without B12, you might start to experience fatigue.
About 15% of the general population develops a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Understanding the benefits of IV nutritional therapy can help you avoid a deficiency. Instead, you can ensure your body functions properly.
Selenium
Selenium plays a role in DNA production, reproduction, and thyroid gland function. It can also protect your body from free radical damage.
Dexpanthenol
Worries about your skin health? Consider a cocktail with dexpanthenol.
Dexpanthenol nourishes your skin by locking in moisture. It can help relieve itching, irritation, or redness caused by dry skin.
Magnesium
Magnesium plays a role in regulating blood sugar and blood pressure levels. It also helps your body produce DNA, protein, and bone. Without it, nerve or muscle function might suffer.
Taurine
Concerned about your cardiovascular health? Consider taurine.
Taurine is an amino acid. It plays a role in regulating your blood pressure. It can help improve your brain and cardiovascular health as well.
Zinc
If you want to give your immune system a boost, look into zinc. Zinc helps your body fight bacterial and viral infections. It also helps heal wounds.
Benefits of IV Nutritional Therapy
Finding IV nutritional therapy in Chicago could help you avoid a vitamin deficiency. Without proper nutrient levels, your body might not function properly. Your immune system could grow weak, leaving you susceptible to diseases and illnesses.
Remember, using IV therapy allows nutrients to bypass your digestive system. Instead, you can avoid nutrient alteration and get the full dose.
When vitamins enter your bloodstream directly, you’ll experience faster results as well.
The results are more potent, too. Your digestive system won’t metabolize the nutrients, allowing you to get the full dose.
By choosing IV therapy, you can develop a customized treatment with your goals in mind. For example, you can choose cocktails to improve your skin health or immune levels. Athletes use IV therapy to recover from intense workouts faster as well.
By enjoying these benefits of IV nutritional therapy, you could change your overall health!
IV Nutritional Therapy: A Plethora of Health Benefits, Drip by Drip
With IV nutritional therapy, you can give your body the fluids and vitamins it needs to thrive. Regular sessions can help you improve your health and potentially avoid diseases down the road. Enjoy these benefits of IV nutritional therapy for yourself and replenish your body, drip by drip!
Interested in visiting a weight loss clinic for IV therapy? We can help.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your treatment options!
Dr. Anand Thakkar is a licensed Internal Medicine physician. He is Board Certified in Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine. He has been a member of the teaching faculty for students at Chicago Medical School and has been featured on ABC, FOX, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, and Forbes as a recognized authority in wellness, fitness & nutrition, weight loss, anti-aging, hormones & metabolic medicine, holistic medicine, lifestyle coaching and women’s & men’s health.
Learn more about Dr. Thakkar or Chicago Weight Loss and Wellness Clinics here.