IV Nutrient Therapy

By Dr. David Richard, ND, LAc – Claremont, CA

Intravenous nutrition therapy is a process of delivering high concentrations of nutrients directly into the bloodstream via a sterile solution of water or saline. IV contents may include vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients, often in combination. An intravenous therapy treatment usually takes from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the concentration of the fluid. A naturopathic doctor may recommend a single IV or multiple sessions over many months. The number of ingredients, their doses and the number of sessions required will vary from patient to patient, depending on the type of problem a person is experiencing and the desired outcome.

Intravenous nutrition therapy is often an excellent treatment choice, because when we are sick, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients may be required in high concentrations in order to heal. By infusing the bloodstream with a concentrated dose of nutrients, our cells have rapid access to the very nutrients they require for healing, which may otherwise not be available because of poor diet, poor nutrient absorption or other reasons. Nutrients used in IV therapy include Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, B complex vitamins, magnesium, calcium, zinc, selenium, alpha lipoic acid, and glutathione.

Nutritional IVs are commonly used in the treatment of acute illness, such as the flu, as well as in chronic illnesses such as migraines, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and Lyme disease. Nutritional IVs can also be very useful in treating mood disorders and supporting addiction recovery. A naturopathic doctor can determine if intravenous nutritional therapy is the right solution for your health concerns.