What Is IV Vitamin Therapy and Why Should You Try It

​​Are you thinking about getting an IV vitamin therapy treatment? You're not alone! In fact, IV vitamin therapy is on the rise as a way to get vitamins into your body quickly and efficiently. IV vitamin therapy is an increasingly popular alternative to oral vitamins. It's been used for decades as a way to boost the immune system and help fight off viruses, but it's becoming more popular among many individuals who want to optimize their health.

But what is this new form of therapy, exactly? And how does it work? Is it safe? And what are the benefits of having an IV vitamin therapy appointment near me? To answer all these questions (and more), we've created this guide to the ins and outs of IV vitamin therapy. Here, you'll find answers to everything on IV vitamin therapy at Integrative Family Medicine.

What is IV vitamin therapy?
IV (intravenous) vitamin therapy is when you receive vitamins through an IV line that is inserted into your arm. The vitamins are then absorbed through your blood vessels and distributed throughout your body. IV vitamin therapy is extremely beneficial for those who are suffering from chronic illness or are in need of a boost in energy and wellness. It is also helpful for people who have been feeling run down or worn out, but don't want to take a large number of pills each day.

Is IV vitamin therapy safe?
We know that sometimes people are concerned about the safety of IV vitamin therapy, but it's actually been deemed completely safe by the FDA. The FDA has approved many forms of IV vitamin therapy as safe and effective treatments for conditions ranging from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) to depression. Most IV vitamin therapies can be used safely by anyone over 18 years old without any risk of side effects or complications.
IV vitamin therapy is considered very safe, provided you choose an experienced doctor or nurse to administer it.

Some types of IV therapy can cause serious problems if done improperly or by someone who isn't trained in the procedure. Do your research before going in for treatment, and make sure to ask questions if you have any concerns. The safety of IV vitamin therapy is largely dependent on the quality of the vitamins and how they are administered. It's important to know that not all IV solutions are created equally and some can be dangerous if not properly diluted. Not only that, but if you're taking medications or have an underlying condition, there may be other factors involved in whether or not IV therapies are safe for you. This is why so many people in the Des Moines, Iowa area choose Integrative Family Medicine when they need an IV vitamin infusion: we are highly trained and have a medical provider on site at all times to ensure a safe IV vitamin therapy session.

Do IV Vitamins work?
IV vitamin therapy can be used for all kinds of things: helping you recover from illness, boosting your immune system, or even just feeling better after a long night out.
The science behind IV vitamins is well-established; recent studies have shown that they can improve energy levels, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve muscle strength (especially in people with rheumatoid arthritis), boost immune function, lower cholesterol levels… you name it! They're extremely effective at boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation in the body, and helping you feel better overall.

When vitamins are given directly into your bloodstream through an IV infusion, they bypass the digestive system and liver, where they would normally stop working, on their way out of your body. This means that when you take them, more of the vitamins will be absorbed by your body than if you took them in pill form or drank them in liquid form.

Other facts about how IV Vitamins work:
-IV vitamins are absorbed into your body more quickly than oral supplements, so they start working almost immediately.. This means you can get more of what you need, right away, all in one simple treatment.
-You can get the exact dosage of nutrients you need without having to worry about taking so many supplements to maintain your overall balance of nutrients in the body.
-Vitamin C is the most common ingredient in IV vitamin therapy. It can help with inflammation, boost immunity, and speed up healing. We use Vitamin C frequently in patients who are sick, such as with Covid or the flu or any upper respiratory infection to reduce the oxidative stress in the body.
-IV vitamin therapy is safe when done by a licensed professional. Do not attempt to self-administer IV vitamin therapy without proper medical supervision! Integrative Family Medicine and its medical providers and nurses are the leaders in IV vitamin therapy in the greater Des Moines area. We are highly trained and always have a medical provider on site. This allows you to safely receive an IV vitamin infusion and feel reassured that in case something happens, we're right there for you.

Just ask any of our customers—they'll tell you how much better they feel after IV vitamin therapy at Integrative Family Medicine.

IV vitamins vs Oral vitamins
While oral vitamins do their job by dissolving in your stomach, IV vitamins go directly into your bloodstream where they can be absorbed much more quickly than if they had to travel through digestion first. I always say, on a good day, in someone who doesn't have a gut issue, we probably get 30-40% of the oral vitamins we take by mouth. In someone with chronic gut issues, poor absorption, IBS, Crohn's disease, frequent diarrhea or constipation...at best, you might get half of that. In fact, IV vitamins can be absorbed up to 90% when compared to the 30-40% we absorb orally.

That doesn't mean you don't need oral vitamins though! IV vitamin therapy is not a replacement for nutritional needs. Some vitamins can't go in the IV, such as Vitamins A, D, E, or K. Many patients we see are deficient in Vitamin D and we recommend a Vitamin D replacement protocol that includes both intramuscular Vitamin D injections and oral Vitamin D supplements. Other vitamins, such as B vitamins, absorb and metabolize quickly, and therefore, are best taken orally twice a day.

If you are unsure what your vitamin needs are, just ask! Our nurses are highly educated on the effects of IV vitamins and we can work with you to create an IV vitamin plan as well as an oral vitamin and supplement schedule. In fact, we even have a certified Integrative Health Coach who will work with you 1:1 so that you don't waste so much money on oral vitamins. Kala is a Registered Nurse and sessions with her are $40 for a supplement analysis and review. We offer special supplement pricing for anything we recommend and our patients receive an extra 5% off the typical list price and free shipping on their orders!

How often can you have IV vitamin therapy?
You can have as many treatments as you'd like! There are no rules about how often you should or shouldn't receive an IV vitamin treatment; as long as you're feeling good about it and want to keep doing it, go for it! Our IV vitamin therapy near me is a great way to boost your immune system while also giving your body the nutrients it needs in order to function at its best!

If you are currently sick, we recommend getting an IV as soon as you can get into our office, and then repeating the treatment in 3-4 days. In general, this approach reduces the overall viral load and 'how sick' you will get with the first IV session. The next session is really what seems to 'kick' the illness for most of our patients and helps them recover quickly. Of course, depending on how sick you get, you may need another, but you don't have to keep coming in for regular treatments. That's what is so great about IV vitamin therapy. You can use it for chronic conditions and rebuilding your body's immune responses OR you can use it in times of acute illness.

Our IV vitamin therapy offers a variety of different options so that you can customize your experience based on what you need. If you are looking to get rid of your flu or cold, we offer IV vitamin therapy treatments that will help you feel better in just a few hours. We have IV vitamin therapy treatments that will help keep you healthy year-round, so that you never have to worry about getting sick again.
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You can schedule an appointment online with us at any time, 24/7, or contact us at 515-218-1399 Monday-Friday, 9am-5:00pm. We look forward to helping you feel better soon!