There are many types of intravenous therapies for use in naturopathic medicine. The types that I administer are used mostly to enhance nutritional status quickly, in those who are experiencing conditions related to moderate to severe relative nutritional depletion.
Eating healthy is important to keep your body in balance. However, reduced absorption, increased demand, and lack of nutrition, can dramatically reduce your body’s overall nutritional status and, therefore, can diminish your health.
Intravenous nutrients are administered directly into the blood stream and do not depend upon absorption through the gastrointestinal tract to get to the cells. The gut is often impaired in many disease processes.
As well, disease, acute illnesses, toxins, trauma, chronic stress, genetics, nutrient-poor diets, and drugs, can affect the ability of the body to achieve optimal cellular nutrition because these situations place an excess demand upon the body. IV therapy may be well indicated to assist with these health challenges.
The four most common types of IV therapies that I use and have found to be the most beneficial in clinical practice are as follows:
1. Vitamin/Mineral Infusion
This IV therapy is a 15 - 20 minute intravenous infusion that typically consists of a 100 cc bag and contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The actual ingredients and dosages are selected specific to your body's needs.
2. HDIVC (High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C)
This IV therapy is a 1 - 1.5 hour intravenous infusion that typically consists of a 250 cc bag of sterile water with 25 gm of vitamin C along with appropriate minerals. In some situations, B vitamins are also added to the infusion.
3. Glutathione (the most important antioxidant in the body)
This IV therapy is a 15 - 20 minute intravenous infusion that typically consists of a 100cc bag with glutathione and vitamin B6. Glutathione is poorly absorbed orally, and therefore, intravenous administration is the most effective way of increasing glutathione levels.
4. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
This IV therapy is a 1 - 1.5 hour intravenous infusion that typically consists of a 100 cc bag with 15 gm of MSM.