Unfortunately this elective therapy has been unfairly tainted as an IV hangover cure and widely publicized by the media due to its controversial application. IV hangover therapies and services have been popping up in cities such as Las Vegas, New York, London, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and virtually every major city. And while IV therapies undoubtedly are effective with rehydrating hungover patients, there are various other useful applications which are very beneficial to the general public but often under recognized.
As in any novel practice, there is considerable debate in the medical community that focuses on two main points, necessity as well as efficacy of these alternative therapies. Skeptics often overstate the risks involved and overlook the ever-growing amount of literature supporting the benefits. The ethical debate and risks of therapy are beyond the scope of this discussion.
The argument against necessity of intramuscular and intravenous supplementation in favor of oral replenishment is not valid as there are many conditions in which oral intake is not desired or subject to high barrier for systemic absorption. In certain physiological states, the oral alternative is simply impractical. There is a tremendous amount of anecdotal evidence revealing the dramatic improvement in the way people feel after intravenous/intramuscular therapy. Ultimately elective IV hydration and nutrient supplementation simply provides a superior alternative to oral intake.
Likewise there is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of IV therapy for wellness and health maintenance. Developed in the 1970s, the Myer’s cocktail is the basis of most current day mainstream IV vitamin therapy. Modern day derivatives of this nutrient IV usually consist of various electrolytes, vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids and even medications. Although no evidence for these new therapies exist as of yet, there is considerable amount of data supporting the use of the original Myer’s Cocktail formula.
There is the clinically undebatable fact that IV hydration helps decrease systemic toxicity and improves organ function. This is ever so apparent in people participating in strenuous activity such as marathons or triathlons, but can also be displayed in patients suffering from physiological stress in the course of illnesses. During these stressful events, muscle and metabolic activity generates toxins and acid, which can be measured with simple blood tests. As the activity progresses these byproducts can result in systemic effects such as muscle cramps, nausea, fatigue and if perpetuated can result in dysfunction of organs such as the kidneys. IV hydration can quickly reverse the effects by flushing out the toxins which reduces recovery time and can even enhance performance. Patients usually feel dramatically better with improvement of physical symptoms. No medicine or performance enhancing drugs are involved and this is arguably the best therapy for an athlete.
Various anecdotal evidence also exist to support the use of IV hydration therapy. People suffering viral illnesses, upper respiratory infections are frequently dehydrated, nauseated, fatigued and have a decreased desire for oral intake which can prolong the duration of illness. Time and hydration are often the only tinctures required, but IV therapy can quickly reverse systemic effects and also decrease the duration of these symptoms by reducing viral burden, flushing out toxic byproducts and hydrating the body to combat the offending illness.
As more and more research is done on the ingredients of these intravenous therapies, more applications are realized. For example the anti-oxidant Glutathione, which is in our Vitaglow IV Infusion, has been proven to decrease wrinkles and sun-spots as well as improve the smoothness/elasticity of skin and improving appearance, thus rejuvenating the body.
In summary, IV therapies have various benefits and applications. IV hangover therapy unfortunately dominates the media due to its controversial use and ethical debate. As the awareness and demand increases for these services, more and more IV clinics and medspas will emerge as they already have in cities such as New York City, Miami, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, London… IV therapy is the future of wellness as time becomes ever more of the essence in people’s daily lives. IV therapies simply help people stay fit, healthy, and productive. Now that sounds futuristic!!!
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