Intravenous drips, or Intravenous therapy, and popularly known as IV, are mechanisms that are used to administer rich fluids via blood vessel injections. Because of the location in which intravenous drips are administered, they facilitate fast and smooth delivery of nutrients and vitamins.
Intravenous drips also help with hydration, and they have a typically high absorption rate, usually between 90%-100%. This absorption rate is that high because they bypass the gut, where the rates drop alot.
How do Intravenous Drips Work?
The mechanism that makes an intravenous drip work is quite simple; it involves a small tube called a catheter and a solution that is saline based containing electrolytes. A nurse would typically decide on what spot on your body would be best for accessing a vein.
Once the vein has been located, the injection is removed but the catheter would remain to deliver the fluids via an intravenous drip directly into your bloodstream. The nutrients are instantly available for absorption and transportation to their target sites.
The total time needed for an intravenous therapy session, inclusive of form filling and a quick health check, is around half an hour.
What are the Ingredients of an Intravenous Drip?
Not all intravenous drips contain the same ingredients. Some contain electrolytes and salts, and some others contain sugars, vitamins, etc. Each drip has different components based on the needs of the patient it is being administered to.
That being said, there are some common ingredients in intravenous drips. They are;
- Saline Solution
This is basically salt mixed in water. It is one of the commonest fluids in intravenous drips. It is mainly used to help dehydrated patients get some strength back, as sodium is an electrolyte.
- Vitamins
These ingredients usually benefit the body by giving it an energy boost and also helping to boost the immune system.
- Electrolytes
They help hydrate our bodies, improve our nerve and muscle functions, etc. They are very essential compounds that are usually lost during dehydration and must be replaced, as complications could arise if they are not.
Some examples of electrolytes are calcium, magnesium, phosphate, sodium, etc.
Are Intravenous Drips better than Oral Treatments?
Short answer, yes. Long answer; we’ll explain why the short answer is yes.
Oral treatments are common and relatively easier to access, but compared to the efficiency level of intravenous drips, they don’t match up. The absorption rate for oral treatments is low, and this drastically reduces the potency of treatments.
Oral treatments are less expensive and considered safer, but they are slower and limited. also the limitation of the digestive tract also has to be considered.
Clinical Studies on Drips: Vitamin C
Vitamin C can’t be taken orally if it is in large doses, so only intravenous drips can work in this situation. A high dose of intravenous Vitamin C (HIVC) was shown in a recent study to help block key components of cytokine storms. This helps in treating COVID-19.
Also, in another study, intravenous Vitamin C was found to improve the quality of life of chemotherapy patients. This is no surprise, as vitamin C has a long history with cancer and it’s possible prevention.
Vitamin C has also been found to drastically reduce the effectiveness of viral myocarditis in children. The study showed that in conjunction with conventional treatment, viral myocarditis in children was better managed with vitamin C than without Vitamin C.
Deficiency: Studies have asserted that a deficiency of vitamin C leads to scurvy. Symptoms include gingival bleeding, corkscrew hair, etc.
Risk Factors: Anorexia, an addiction to alcohol, smoking and a heavily vitamin C deficient diet.
Clinical Studies: Vitamin D
The Sunshine Vitamin can be administered intravenously, and a study has found that it helps to maintain proper mineral metabolism, prevent bone disease and also reduce bone fractures and loss of bone strength.
Vitamin D reduces inflammation and the chances of cardiovascular diseases. Diabetic patients usually have a low level of vitamin D in their bodies, and people with mood disorders have worse episodes when they have low levels of vitamin D in their bodies.
This study also found that vitamin D levels in serious COVID-19 cases were usually low, and combined with a high inflammatory reaction, meant a lot of COVID-19 patients with low Vitamin D died.
Deficiency: A deficiency in vitamin D results in a high risk of death resulting from cardiovascular complications. Also, a condition known as rickets can occur from a deficiency of vitamin D.
Risk Factors: Lack of exposure to the sun, a diet deficient in vitamin D (mostly strictly vegan diets), lack of exercise and consumption of medication that impede metabolism of vitamin D.
Clinical Studies: COQ10 Injection
The COQ10 Injection usually contains the natural antioxidant coenzyme Q10. This antioxidant is in naturally high levels in our bodies when we are youthful, as it is responsible for 95% of our energy production. The coenzyme’s production in our bodies decrease with age, however.
As a result of how important this natural antioxidant is, any decrease is capable of leading to serious diseases like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular issues, etc. This study agrees with this, and it also states that neurodegenerative disorders are also linked to low levels of coenzyme Q10.
Deficiency: A deficiency in the coenzyme Q10 leads to cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
Risk Factors: Age, little or no access to the COQ10 supplement.
B Complex and Heart Health
B Complex is not a single vitamin. Rather, it is a combination of all the Vitamin B in one pill. The B vitamins are a closely linked group of vitamins, all water soluble and all very important in the proper functioning of the body.
A key to having a healthy heart is to ensure these vitamins are at high levels in the body, and this is supported medically. A study found out that a reduction in the levels of B nutrients in the body of a person battling with heart failure accelerates disease progression and reduces their energy store.
Deficiency: Anaemia, consistent constipation and diarrhea, cracks that ring the mouth, etc.
Risk Factors: Immune System disorders, the thinning of the stomach lining, etc.
Glutathione and the Liver
Glutathione is a natural antioxidant. It is made in every cell of the body, formed by amino acids. It is a very important antioxidant, as it helps to move mercury out of the brain, regenerate vitamin E, help the liver deal with fats, and a lot more.
Glutathione is also not produced in the liver, but it is very crucial for the proper functioning of the liver. Infact, a recent study found out that it helps in the treatment of fatty liver disease since it is an antioxidant.
Deficiency: The main result of a deficiency in glutathione is oxidative stress. This is a situation whereby free radicals, a natural byproduct of metabolism, overwhelm your body’s immune system and steal electrons from other molecules.
Oxidative stress has been shown to lead to liver disease, heart attack, diabetes, just to mention a few.
Risk Factors: An unbalanced diet, addiction to alcohol, smoking, etc.
Clinical Studies on Drips: Myers Cocktail
A very brief history: The Myers cocktail is named after late Dr. Myers, a Baltimore physician who used a raft of vitamins and minerals to treat a wide range of medical issues.
There are not a lot of clinical studies on the use and efficacy of the Myers cocktail, but one study found it to be effective against a raft of diseases like chronic sinusitis, cardiovascular disease, acute asthma attacks, etc.
Liver Detox and Intravenous Drips
Liver detox is quite a common term in the medical world. It has to do with getting toxins out of the body, so you’d feel lighter and better generally.
One of the main ingredients for the administration of liver detox is glutathione. It’s an important antioxidant in the body, and without it, the liver suffers cell death. This is what causes fatty liver disease in both alcoholics and nonalcoholics.
A study also found out that administering glutathione in high intravenous doses was very useful in the treatment of fatty liver disease. It helped to increase the bilirubin levels in the body, amongst other hepatic testers.
They help the liver produce more bile, detoxify faster and reduce burden on the liver. It also gives the liver nutrient support for optimum working.
Liver detoxification via intravenous drips has immense benefits for you; it gives you better focus and energy.
