Both IV therapy and oral supplements can be useful for correcting nutritional deficiencies and promoting wellness. IV therapy involves injecting fluids containing vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients directly into the bloodstream. Oral supplements are vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other compounds taken by mouth in the form of pills, powders, or liquids. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.
How IV Therapy Works
IV stands for intravenous, meaning into a vein. During IV therapy, a needle is used to deliver sterile fluid containing water, salts, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, medications, or other ingredients directly into the bloodstream. This allows the ingredients to bypass the digestive system and liver and go straight into circulation.
Some of the purported benefits of IV therapy include:
- Rapid delivery and absorption of nutrients
- Ability to deliver higher doses than possible with oral supplements
- Useful when gut absorption is impaired
- Can deliver fluids and electrolytes when dehydrated
Common IV therapies include:
- Myers cocktails – mixtures of vitamins and minerals
- Glutathione for antioxidant effects
- Vitamin C for immune support
- Amino acids for energy
- Saline solutions for hydration
IV therapy must be performed by a licensed medical professional like a doctor, nurse, physician’s assistant, or naturopath. It is not recommended for those with heart, kidney, or liver problems. Side effects can include dizziness, headaches, and bruising at the IV site.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Oral Supplements
Oral supplements refer to vitamins, minerals, herbs, probiotics, amino acids, and other compounds taken by mouth. They come in many forms like tablets, capsules, soft gels, powders, and liquids. Some benefits of oral supplements include:
- Convenience – can be taken anywhere, anytime
- Widely available over-the-counter
- Generally inexpensive
- Variety of supplement types and combinations
However, there are some downsides to oral supplements:
- Absorption can be affected by digestive health
- Higher doses may cause GI side effects like nausea
- First-pass metabolism in the liver can decrease potency
- May interact with medications
Some common oral supplements include multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, omega-3 fish oil, probiotics, melatonin, and turmeric. Dosages and quality can vary widely between brands. It’s important to read labels and consult a doctor when taking supplements long-term.
IVs vs. Oral Supplements: Key Differences
Nutrient Absorption
One of the main differences between IV therapy and oral supplements is the level of nutrient absorption. With IV therapy, absorption rates approach 100% since the ingredients bypass the digestive system and liver. Oral supplements must pass through the GI tract, where factors like gut health, pH levels, transit time, and first pass metabolism can all impact how much gets absorbed. Those with gut issues like leaky gut or IBS may have trouble properly absorbing oral supplements.
Onset and Duration
IV therapy provides rapid delivery of nutrients directly into the bloodstream, allowing the effects to be felt almost immediately. However, these effects may not last long once the IV is discontinued. Oral supplements take longer to have an effect, but since they are ingested daily, the benefits are more sustained.
Dosage Strength
IVs can deliver a much higher strength dose of vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients than possible through oral supplements. Someone may only be able to tolerate 1,000 mg vitamin C orally without intestinal upset but could receive a 50,000 mg dose intravenously with minimal issues. Higher dosing provides more intensive therapy.
Customization
The ingredients, doses, and combinations used in IV therapy cocktails can be highly customized to each patient’s needs. Oral supplements have fixed formulas that cannot be adjusted. So, IVs allow for more personalization based on lab testing, symptoms, and health goals.
Access and Cost
Oral supplements are far more accessible and budget-friendly than IV therapy. A bottle of vitamins costs between $10-$50 and can be purchased at any pharmacy, grocery store, or online retailer. IV therapy costs $100-$500 per session, is not covered by insurance, and must be administered at a specialized clinic.
Ideal Uses
- IV therapy may be preferred for quick replenishment after illness/surgery, prenatal support, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic fatigue, respiratory infections, athletic performance, and anti-aging.
- Oral supplements may be preferred for daily maintenance, ongoing bone & joint support, sleep, mood, or digestive aids, basic nutrient shortfalls, and easy travel.
Both IV therapy and oral supplementation can be useful depending on the specific situation and need. In general, IV therapy provides more potent, rapid relief while oral supplements offer convenient daily support. For intensive therapies, IVs may work better, but oral supplements are the way to go for basic daily nutrition. Many people benefit from a combination of both. Consulting a functional medicine practitioner can help determine what blend of IV and oral supplementation is right for your wellness goals.