Life is fast-paced, shopping for good whole foods and cooking them is time consuming, and our average produce is significantly less nutrient dense than it was 50 years ago. So what can you do? Health isn’t just about diet and exercise, it’s about your body having the raw materials it needs to regulate and build back. These raw materials are called micronutrients, and one of the best ways to get them is through IV vitamin therapy.
What’s the Myers’ Cocktail?
The Myers’ Cocktail is the name given to an intravenous (IV) infusion of nutrients and vitamins – IV vitamin therapy – to lower the symptoms of different medical ailments. It was created by Dr. John Myers, who deployed it against signs of chronic conditions like asthma, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and migraines. Today, a modified version contains magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, vitamin C, and other vitamins and minerals. Only certain people can administer it (medical professionals and licensed clinics).
IV vitamin therapy is believed to reduce symptoms related to numerous health conditions, including:
- Cold and flu
- Pain and other symptoms related to cancer
- Vitamin deficiency
- Altitude sickness
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
How Does IV Vitamin Therapy Work?
IV vitamin therapy is a relatively simple and, in most cases, risk-free method to get nutrients and vitamins into your system by bypassing the body’s digestion and food-to-energy process. It could take hours for your body to convert food to energy when you eat food, but IV vitamin therapy gets around that by delivering a liquid cocktail directly into your bloodstream.
Everyone has different expectations for IV vitamin therapy, but the process is usually the same each time. Once you’ve scheduled an appointment, you can expect to be interviewed briefly to see how you feel and have your vitals taken to ensure you’re healthy enough for the procedure. You’ll undergo a medical examination and be asked questions about your condition and its symptoms. Then, you’ll be seated for the procedure, a needle will be inserted into your arm, and a liquid mix of vitamins, minerals, and saline will be dispensed from a drip bag into your bloodstream. The whole process may take 30 to 60 minutes.
The expectation is that IV vitamin therapy will deliver the nutrients you need to bolster your immune system or reduce symptoms of many conditions like fatigue and anxiety. But like any other medical procedure, certain variables can affect the outcome. Your age, metabolism, overall health, genetic history, allergy status, and other factors can determine how successful IV vitamin therapy will be.
Many people, understandably, are concerned about the potential risks associated with IV vitamin therapy. But the process is remarkably like what you would expect when donating blood, or if you’re dehydrated and need to go to the hospital.
It’s possible there may be some discomfort at the needle insertion point, as well as swelling and bruising. Other potential risks include:
- Infection
- Getting a higher dose of vitamins than you need, which could exacerbate symptoms of kidney disease or mimic those associated with a heart attack
- Blood clots and vein inflammation
- Risk of stroke
Before pursuing IV vitamin therapy, consult with a healthcare provider as to whether it’s right for you.
Are There Alternatives?
Not everyone may be eligible or willing to undertake IV vitamin therapy, and that’s okay. Your healthcare provider or other medical professionals should be able to steer you in the direction of healthy alternatives. When it comes to getting vitamins into your system, healthy foods and living right are the two best ways possible. All the vitamins you can get intravenously are also available with:
- Vitamin B-1: ham, soymilk, watermelon, acorn squash
- Vitamin B-2: milk, dairy products, whole, and enriched cereals and grains.
- Vitamin B-3: fish, fortified and whole grains, meat, mushrooms, potatoes, poultry
- Vitamin B-5: avocados, broccoli, chicken, mushrooms, whole grains
- Vitamin B-6: bananas, fish, legumes, meat, poultry, tofu, and other soy products
- Vitamin B-7: eggs, fish, soybeans, whole grains
- Vitamin B-9: asparagus, broccoli, fortified grains and cereals, legumes, orange juice, spinach
- Vitamin B-12: cheese, fish, fortified soymilk and cereals, meat, milk, poultry
- Vitamin C: bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, citrus fruit, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes
Foods rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K are essential, as well as those containing calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and many others.
Final Thoughts
There is so much to do every day, and our expectations of ourselves can often outsize what’s possible during the day. If you’re having trouble staying well, hydrating, or meeting fitness goals, vitamin therapy may be the right choice for you. IV vitamin therapy can help ensure that your body has all the nutrients it needs to do more. Contact us today to learn more about IV vitamin therapy.