IV vitamin therapy can overcome some of the limitations of oral vitamin C supplements. Learn more about the uses, benefits, and drawbacks of IV vitamin therapy.
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In this article:
- Why Is IV Vitamin Therapy Useful?
- What Are the Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency?
- What Are the Best Sources of Vitamin C?
- What Kind of Person or Type of Health Concerns Would Benefit the Most from Vitamin C IV Therapy?
- What Are the Vitamin C IV Therapy Pros and Cons?
IV Vitamin Therapy: What You Need to Know
Why Is IV Vitamin Therapy Useful?
IV vitamin therapy is an efficient and safe way to take vitamins. Many factors contribute to vitamin deficiencies. These include medications that are prescribed by medical providers and those that are available over the counter.
For instance, there are a variety of antacids that are available to consumers without a prescription. Chronic use of antacids changes the acidity of the intestinal environment.
In doing so, common vitamins such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium are poorly absorbed. This malabsorption can lead to anemia, osteoporosis, and even cancer.
Abdominal surgeries, such as weight loss surgery, not only affect the absorption of calories, but also vital nutrients. On top of that, research has demonstrated that various diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, and cholesterol medications block the absorption of many vitamins (Coq10, B-complex, and Iron).
These causes of vitamin deficiencies are almost impossible to overcome with oral replacement. Intravenous administration provides 100% absorption.
In contrast, at best in a healthy person, the intestinal tract absorbs less than 50% of oral vitamin doses. Furthermore, compliance is an issue as it is human nature to miss doses.
What Are the Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency?
Here are some common symptoms of vitamin C deficiency:
- Decreased wound healing
- Bleeding gums
- Easy bruising
- Joint pain
- Loose teeth
- Dry hair
- Heart disease
- Recurrent infections
What Are the Best Sources of Vitamin C?
There are a variety of foods that are rich in vitamin C. Citrus fruits such as oranges and tangerines are rich in vitamin C. Besides, leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and cauliflower are other sources of vitamin C.
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What Kind of Person or Type of Health Concerns Would Benefit the Most from Vitamin C IV Therapy?
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin with many functions. It needs to be part of our nutrition because our digestive enzymes and intestinal bacteria do not make vitamin C.
- Improving the immune system
- Improving energy production by our mitochondria
- Wound healing
- The formation of collagen (skin health)
- Diuresis (prevents water retention)
- Prevents heart disease
- Lowers blood pressure
- Decreases inflammation
- Improves joint pain
- Prevents gum disease
Despite the abundance of vitamin C-rich food, there is a high incidence of vitamin C deficiency due to the processing and storage of foods. Besides nutrition, other factors such as aging, antibiotics, fevers, stress, and smoking can also diminish the body’s vitamin C stores.
What Are the Vitamin C IV Therapy Pros and Cons?
IV vitamin C may be a better option than oral vitamin C, which commonly causes diarrhea and nausea. Intravenous vitamin C does not have these side effects while achieving desired blood levels.
For example, boosting the immune system to fight off viral infections requires doses over ten grams. These blood levels are impossible to achieve with oral vitamin C due to side effects.
When giving intravenous vitamin C, headaches and fatigue are the most common side effects, but these symptoms resolve within a few hours. Health professionals take a careful history before administering IV vitamin C. In less common patients, such as those with Glucose-6-Phosphate-Dehydrogenase (G6PD), life-threatening hemolysis can occur.
Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients. IV vitamin therapy may be especially beneficial to those who suffer from vitamin deficiency.
Have you tried IV vitamin therapy? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!
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