IV nutrition therapy is a growing trend that many Americans are adding to their health routines. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to back the claims that many IV bars make to the public. This makes it difficult to discern whether or not IV nutrition therapy works.

Generally speaking, IV nutrition therapy works for dehydration and vitamin deficiencies. It can help you overcome the lethargy associated with both. The question is whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks.

If you're thinking about getting IV nutrition therapy, you should consider both sides of the coin. There are pros and cons to receiving this type of therapy. Keep reading to learn what they are and whether they will impact your decision.

What is IV Nutrition Therapy?

The therapy is a medical treatment that involves an IV and a "cocktail" of nutrients delivered straight to the patients' bloodstream. It can replenish vital nutrients lost as a result of:

• Poor nutrition
• Stress
• Other health issues

It's typically customized to the patient's specific dietary needs.

Clinics that offer IV nutrition therapy often have a menu from which you can choose your cocktail. These different mixtures of vitamins are specially designed to accomplish a variety of things. Some cocktails will help hydrate your body, some are good for your skin, and others will help you recover from a hangover!

The delivery of highly concentrated nutrients directly to your bloodstream is touted by many as a miracle process. It is said to enhance your body's natural healing process by giving it more of the nutrients it needs to repair tissue and fight infections. However, there are also some risks involved in the treatment.

What are the Pros and Cons of IV Nutrition Therapy?

Like many other elective therapies, IV nutrition therapy has both benefits and drawbacks. Depending on your body and your health history, it may not have the effects that you're hoping for. No two patients are alike, so it's important to understand what could happen prior to going in for treatment.

Benefits of IV Nutrition Therapy

There are a number of benefits associated with IV nutrition therapy. These benefits, while not scientifically proven, are confirmed by many avid IV therapy users. Here are some of the most common claims about the therapy.

Cure for a Hangover – Many IV users claim that it's the perfect cure for a hangover. If you were out for a wild night and had a few too many, chances are you woke up dehydrated. An IV therapy session is a quick way to deliver nutrients and hydration to your entire body.

Overcome Nutrient Deficiencies – Overcoming nutrient deficiencies is perhaps the most important health benefit of IV therapy. If your body is deficient in a specific vitamin, this therapy can help bring your levels back up to where they should be.

Boost Energy – Another major benefit to IV nutrition therapy is the boost in energy that many patients feel afterward. This is due to the influx of B-complex vitamins into your bloodstream and the hydration that follows. This combination can help you fight chronic or acute fatigue.

Risks of IV Nutrition Therapy

IV nutrition therapy comes with its fair share of risks. When you're injecting something into your body that is not necessary, there are always risks involved. Let's take a look at some of those.

Potential Infection – The use of an IV needle always comes with the risk of infection. This is true whether you're in a hospital, a tattoo shop, or an IV therapy clinic. Any use of needles comes with the risk of infecting your body with bacteria that wasn't there before.

Overdose – Believe it or not, it's possible to overdose on vitamins. The use of IV nutrition therapy bypasses your body's natural metabolism. This, in turn, keeps your body's safeguards from kicking in when you've consumed too much of a specific nutrient. The result could be dangerous if your body takes in too much of a specific nutrient.

False Claims – One of the biggest concerns about IV nutrition therapy is the potential for false claims to be made. While the therapy is often delivered by certified medical professionals, that's not always the case. Be wary of claims that seem too good to be true because they probably are.

Final Thoughts

IV nutrition therapy can be a great option if you're severely dehydrated and need a boost to get back to normal. However, you should always consider the risks of putting things into your body that are unnecessary. After all, you could easily get all the nutrients you need through eating the right foods and drinking plenty of water!

Contact our Family Medicine at Decatur, IL today and we’ll schedule you for a one on one consultation. From there we will decide what the best course of action is for your particular needs.