Nutrient Depletion and the IV Therapy Trend

I want to talk about IVs.

In my own journey, when I wasn't recovering in a timely manner, I have used this type of treatment to support my immune system.

In 2018, I developed a cough that wouldn’t go away. Whooping cough is known as the “100 day cough”. My grandmother was on a 2 year decline before passing, and by the time I realized the cough was hanging around, medical professionals said it was too late for anything western medicine would give me.

I got by with a steroid shot for my lungs and lived on cough drops and a nebulizer. This was a huge hassle.

I started experimenting with vitamin C IV. Over the next several weeks I had about 5.

I consider these protocols beneficial for better absorption of vitamins than swallowing pills, but they are expensive and therefore not practical for weekly use.

A vitamin C IV is usually a 90 minute infusion depending on the dose and what’s included in the drip. Many people describe it as a quiet reset period where they sit, hydrate, and relax while receiving high-dose Vitamin C directly into the bloodstream.

Some commonly reported benefits include:

• Hydration support

• Feeling more energized or refreshed

• Immune support during stressful periods

• Antioxidant support against oxidative stress

• Support for collagen production, skin, and tissue repair

• Recovery support after illness, travel, intense exercise, or burnout

Because IV delivery bypasses digestion, clinics often market it as a way to achieve much higher blood levels than oral vitamin C supplements.

A typical “immune” or wellness IV may also include:

• B vitamins

• Magnesium

• Zinc

• Electrolytes

An IV is considered more “bioavailable” than pills because it delivers nutrients directly into the bloodstream instead of going through the digestive system first.

With oral Vitamin C:

• It has to survive stomach acid and digestion

• Absorption happens through transporters in the intestines

• Those transporters can become saturated, meaning the body only absorbs so much at a time

With IV vitamin C:

• Absorption is essentially immediate because it bypasses digestion

• Blood concentrations can become much higher than what oral supplements usually achieve

• It avoids issues like poor digestion, nausea, malabsorption, or inflamed gut tissue

That’s one reason IVs are often discussed for:

• People recovering from illness

• Digestive disorders

• Severe depletion

• Situations where rapid repletion is desired

Many people also tolerate high doses better by IV because oral vitamin C can cause loose stools or stomach upset at higher amounts.

Many people have jumped on the IV trend.

They are valuable if you can afford it in your budget.

People get these before or after travel, during seasons of feeling depletion, and after or during an illness.

IV cannot replace a poor diet.

Stay tuned next week when I talk about digestion and absorption of vitamins.

One vitamin or treatment work differently for your friend, coworker, or parent simply because we differ in our digestion, genes, thoughts and habits.

Please don’t buy vitamins from influencers.

Most of these are SCAMS.

Taking fake products can harm your liver and brain and affect how you store fat.

Remember we are all BIOINDIVIDUAL, what works for one does not work the same for another.

We often take our health for granted—until we lose it. Caring for your health early can help prevent more serious problems later. Angie’s Real Food offers programs designed to support lasting wellness. Visit Angie’s Real Food and discover your path to better health today.

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