What Is IV Nutrition Therapy?

Eating clean food and exercising regularly is not always enough to stay healthy, especially for people who suffer from immunity problems or who have diseases that weaken their body's ability to absorb nutrients. In order to maintain a proper internal balance, supplements are often seen as a necessary option. One method many natural health clinic providers have turned to as a means for treating their patients' ailments is IV nutrition therapy.

If you have ever been in the hospital, chances are you were hooked up to an IV machine. These devices are instrumental in providing the body with vital nutrients in the right doses. However, the best thing about IV nutrition (and why virtually every medical provider has them on hand) is the delivery method.

The Advantage of IV Nutrition Therapy

While oral supplements have equal amounts of vitamins and nutrients, they can sometimes be rendered ineffective when problems with digestion occur. It is not uncommon for people who have low amounts of hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) and digestive enzymes to experience minimal nutrient absorption, which basically makes the process counterproductive altogether.

With IV nutrition therapy, the digestive system is bypassed altogether, as the nutrients are inserted and subsequently absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Not only does this facilitate the absorption process, it also targets nutrient deficiencies at their source. By immediately interacting with blood cells (as opposed to a delayed response that many times does not even happen), IV nutrition therapy can quickly treat a large number of ailments, from viral infections to heart disease to gastritis and even cancer.

How it Works

Interestingly enough, IV nutrition is actually a really simple process. The doctor inserts the IV into the patient and lets the absorption begin; infusion typically takes three to six hours depending on the needs of the individual. Due to the presence (and negative effects) of high quantities of bisphenol A (BPA) in standard issue plastic IV bags that are commonly found in hospitals, more and more environmental clinics have turned to using preservative-free and BPA-free bags for their patients. Though BPA makes for a convenient and portable bag, studies have shown that there is a link between the material's use and the development of health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and infertility. Thus, make sure to ask your doctor about the types of IV bags they use before undergoing a nutrition therapy session.

The benefits of IV nutrition therapy cannot be overstated. Due to the direct insertion of key vitamins and minerals, it is something everyone, not just those with immune deficiency diseases, should have performed.