I can appreciate people who dig in and research medical treatments rather than assuming something works. American healthcare would look different if more people did that. That aside, I am also not surprised by people wanting to know if IV vitamin hydration therapy does what proponents say it does.
If you’re looking for scientific studies, you might dig for a while. There is a noticeable lack of data involving IV vitamin hydration therapy for patients not otherwise suffering from some sort of nutritional deficiency. We know it works for people who are nutritionally deficient, but we don’t know whether it has any value for the average person on the street.
Whether you should try it is up to you. Know this: as long as the therapy is practiced according to current standards and health regulations, it’s not likely to harm you. At worst, you’ll end up spending a considerable amount of money on therapy that doesn’t do you any good.
The Basics of IV Hydration Therapy
Although the rise in retail IV hydration therapy clinics is a recent phenomenon, the therapy itself is quite established. It was developed decades ago, based on the belief that people were not getting enough vitamins and minerals from their diets. Its original creator, a doctor by the name of John Myers, developed a formula he believed would benefit his patients.
Although Myers never wrote the formula down, modern practitioners have a good idea of what was in it. What is currently known as ‘Myers’ cocktail’ is based on the doctor’s perceived formula.
Lone Star Pain Medicine in Weatherford, TX offers IV vitamin hydration therapy. Their version of Myers’ cocktail includes:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamins B6 and B12
- Vitamin B Complex
- Calcium gluconate
- Magnesium chloride
Each of the chosen vitamins and minerals does something different. All are necessary to some degree. As for why they are administered through an IV, the idea is to get the minerals and vitamins directly into the bloodstream so that they aren’t filtered through the digestive system.
What the Therapy Is Supposed to Do
Figuring out whether IV vitamin hydration therapy works begins with understanding what it is supposed to do. Proponents claim that the therapy:
- Effectively treats dehydration after exercise or drinking.
- Boosts the immune system.
- Increases energy levels, reduces fatigue.
- Relieves stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Flushes toxins from the body.
- Promotes healthier skin.
Some proponents go further to say that the therapy could be an effective treatment for certain allergies, chronic sinusitis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and even heart disease. If you are thinking of trying the therapy, be very cautious. Claiming that it is a treatment for serious illnesses is questionable at best.
Do Your Own Research
Before choosing to undergo IV vitamin hydration therapy at a retail clinic, do your own research. And while researching, don’t cherry pick data points to support the conclusion you want to reach. Be open-minded about all the research.
In addition to researching the therapy itself, look into the retail clinics in your area. Check online reviews if possible. Look clinics up through the Better Business Bureau. Do everything you can to ensure a safe experience should you decide the therapy is right for you.
We don’t currently have enough evidence to prove the efficacy of IV vitamin hydration therapy for people not suffering from nutritional deficiencies. That does not mean it doesn’t work. It means that you’ll have to decide for yourself. If you choose to go for it, you’ll also have to determine whether you’re better off for doing so.
