January through March is typically the peak of the cold and flu season. Since most of these are of viral origin, there are really no good pharmacologic agents that adequately cure these nagging illnesses. Being highly contagious, it is difficult to really shield oneself from these common infections. Usually they run their natural course before leaving the body, causing misery and missed days from work in those suffering the ill effects of these infections. In the elderly and the immuno-compromised, those infections can go one to cause pneumonia, hospitalization and even death.

There are ways of possibly combating these frequent infections with nutritional IV therapy. Getting an IV infusion at the very onset of such an illness can lessen the severity of symptoms and often speed up the recovery time.

WHAT EXACTLY IS NUTRITIONAL IV THERAPY?

Nutritional IV therapy is the provision of vital nutrients (vitamins, minerals and amino acids) directly into the bloodstream via a peripheral IV to correct intracellular deficiencies, reduce the load of oxidative stress which we know contributes to the aging process, as well as detoxify by-products of metabolism. Many practitioners in the preventative field of medicine consider it a superior method to provide the body with essential nutrients. Here at HeartWise Fitness & Longevity Center, we have been strong proponents of appropriate oral supplementation in the form of pill, tablet, capsule and/or liquid suspension. Nutritional IV therapy is both an alternative and more efficient method to provide the body with these essential nutrients. In those with severe nutritional deficiencies and in those with impaired digestion and malabsorption, the IV route is clearly a more effective way to deliver these nutrients to the tissues and cells that need them.

WHO BENEFITS FROM NUTRITIONAL IV THERAPY?
Malabsorption/ Malnutrition due to: Advanced Age Bariatric Surgery Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Crones Disease Food Sensitivities Digestive Enzyme Dysfunctions Cancer.
Other chronic diseases that may benefit include: HIV/AIDS Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Symptoms Adrenal fatigue Cardiovascular Diseases Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Alzheimer's Disease Parkinson’s Disease.

EXAMPLES OF COMMONLY USED NUTRITIONAL IV THERAPIES:

MYERS COCKTAIL
A Myers Cocktail infusion is the combination of various vitamins (B complex, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Calcium) designed to increase energy, improve immunity, and decrease pain. Patients who often benefit are those suffering from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic depression, chronic asthma, congestive heart failure, chronic allergies, rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.

There are variations of this cocktail depending on the particular needs of the individual. For example, many patients benefit from high dose Vitamin C infusions at the very onset of a cold or flu, as alluded to above. Taking high doses of Vitamin C orally is not plausible, because of severe GI upset. Moreover, high doses given by mouth are not nearly as well absorbed as through the intravenous route.

GLUTATHIONE
Glutathione is one of the most powerful natural antioxidants and immune boosters in the world. Glutathione also helps to reduce infection, acts as an anti-aging agent, increases energy and helps detoxify the liver, an organ with more than 400 functions. It is most commonly used in patients with cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS and those seeking anti-aging solutions

In my opinion, nutritional IV therapy can clearly play a role in the preventative, anti-aging side of medicine. But it also can be very useful in the chronic conditions listed above by providing essential nutrients to the tissues and cells. It does not supplant traditional pharmacologic therapies, but acts as a useful adjunct.

We at HeartWise Fitness and Longevity center are pleased to announce this useful service to our patients here at HeartWise.

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE / DISCLAIMER: I am offering—always—only general information and my own opinion on this blog. Always contact your physician or a health professional before starting any treatments, exercise programs or using supplements. ©Howard Elkin MD FACC, 2013

*Originally Published Thursday, February 14, 2013