Many Naturopathic Doctors have additional training and are licensed to provide Intravenous or IV therapy. IV therapy refers to the administration of substances directly into the vein. There are many benefits to this type of therapy. For starters, intravenous administration of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, homeopathics and plant based nutrients allows for an exact dosage since it bypasses the digestive system. This means that absorption of nutrients is not hindered by gut issues that may exist. As a result, clinical results are more effective than typical oral regimens. Also, higher doses of supplements can be administered since there is no risk of gastrointestinal upset.
Naturopathic IV treatments can be used to treat cancer, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, migraines, Crohn’s, Colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, sleep disorders, hormonal irregularities, B12 deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, decreased immunity or infection, allergies and detoxification. It is also helpful for treating heavy metal toxicity and to improve athletic performance.
There are several different types of IV treatments available. Some of the more common treatments include the following:
Meyer’s Cocktail: No, this isn’t a special martini. It’s actually much better! The Meyer’s cocktail was formulated by Dr. John Meyer at John Hopkins Medical Center in the 1970’s and consists primarily of a combination of B vitamins, selenium, calcium, magnesium and vitamin C but it can be customized to treat each patient’s specific needs. It has been used to decrease the severity and frequency of migraines, increase immunity and energy and to improve sleep, mood and athletic performance. It is also particularly good for individuals that are under a lot of stress and are suffering from adrenal fatigue. A common protocol is to administer a Meyer’s cocktail once a week for 6 weeks and then to administer it as needed. Treatments usually take about 20-30 minutes.
High Vitamin C: High dose vitamin C treatments were first introduced in the 1970’s , by Dr. Linus Pauling. These treatments are primarily used for cancer. They are used in conjunction with or instead of allopathic cancer treatments. They significantly improve clinical outcomes of chemotherapy and radiation protocols and also help to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments are usually administered several times a week for a period of time and then reduced, as the condition requires. High dose vitamin C usually takes 1-3 hours to administer, depending on the dose of vitamin C. Other IV Cancer treatments, including sodium bicarbonate, mistletoe and others, are also available.
Although IV treatments may seem daunting at first, aside from the initial prick of the needle, the treatments are relatively painless. The solution is usually administered through a drip bag and patients can listen to music, read or just lay back and rest. Throughout the treatment, patients usually experience a sensation of warmth and relaxation.
IV treatments are a powerful tool available to Naturopathic Doctors. They are safe, effective and can often provide relief and improvement where other therapies have failed. Find a naturopath in your area that is certified in IV therapy and experience the benefits for yourself.