Providing the proper amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients is essential for people of all ages. We commonly get much of these items from our diets, and in some cases supplements to shore up what may be missing from our foods.
Many of us are familiar with intravenous bags that we associate with the hospital for delivering medication to the body, or in some cases larger doses of certain vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc. In a clinical setting, intravenous therapies can be used to deliver large quantities of highly bioavailable vitamins and minerals directly to the bloodstream. This is not only therapeutically useful, but has also gained popularity as a excellent option for those with deficiencies in necessary nutrients.
Oral Supplements and IV Therapy – The Differences
Both methods of taking your supplements provide your body with essential nutrients. These are two different ways of delivering nutrients to your body: oral supplements are taken by mouth, while IV therapy is given intravenously (through a needle in your arm connected to an IV line).
The most common vitamins and minerals given by IV include many Vitamin C, B vitamins, Calcium, Magnesium, Electrolytes, Amino Acids, and many other compounds helpful for your health (such as antioxidant compounds, immune stimulants, etc.)
The Benefits of IV Therapy
The prime reason to employ IV therapy in this manner is to effectively deliver larger quantities of vitamins and minerals relative to oral dosing (such as through foods or supplements). This allows for highly absorbable and bioavailable nutrients to circulate into your system more rapidly at a higher dose, thereby remedying deficiencies and addressing clinical challenges in a more efficient manner.
IV Therapy Allows for Customization
Many oral supplements available are fixed formulas, in that by the nature of their production they are difficult to modify. While sometimes very useful, the challenge with these oral supplements lies in providing an individualized dose based on personal and clinical need. IV therapy provides the option for customization of compounds within, such as vitamins and minerals, that may more accurately and efficiently address what your body may require. Alongside the aforementioned benefits of directly delivery to the bloodstream, any larger or smaller doses allows for individualized treatment.
IV Therapy and Hydration
IV fluids can also be an excellent method of rehydration for the body. If dehydration is a concern, applying a solution such as a normal saline or lactated ringers solution can provide the body with extra fluids (and potentially electrolytes) without the need to drink larger volumes of water. Normal saline is a salt and water combination formulated to have the same concentrationdy, while lactated ringers contain sodium lactate, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride.
IV Therapy in Calgary
IV therapy has gained popularity as an effective means to support the health of the body, including provision of essential boost of nutrients vital for various bodily functions (such as immune function, cellular energy production, and more). IV therapy involves administering high doses of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds directly into the bloodstream, ensuring efficient delivery to cells.
Depending on the IV formula, one may expect benefits such as enhanced energy levels, improvements in immune and hormonal function, improved focus, and so much more. In Calgary, IV vitamin and mineral therapy has shown promising results in enhancing health and overall well-being, and at our clinic they are administered by a team of licensed medical professionals with many years of experience. If you think IV therapy is right for you, visit Dr. Schlee. We can help recommend and formulate the best IV for you!
Blog posts from Dr. Schlee are for general information only. The content should not be considered medical advice. If you are in need of professional medical advice or assistance, please reach out to your local doctor or clinic.
