You may benefit from vitamin infusions more than oral supplements for several reasons, including:
1. Absorption Rates
Perhaps the biggest difference between infusions and supermarket supplements is their absorption rates.
IV vitamin and mineral infusions may be absorbed into the bloodstream better than oral supplements, especially if you have gastrointestinal issues.
Conditions such as coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel diseases can damage the intestinal lining, so you aren’t getting the benefit from oral supplements that you may expect.
The absorption rate for intravenous infusions is always 100%. You don’t have to worry about digestion or competition between certain nutrients, which sometimes use similar channels to enter the blood. They do not go through first pass by the liver either, which changes substances before they are allowed into the wider circulation and may remove some of them.
Perhaps the icing on the cake for some clients is that infusions aren’t affected by vomiting or diarrhoea, which can prevent oral supermarket supplements from benefiting those experiencing anything from a bad hangover to gastrointestinal conditions.
2. Speed of Symptom Relief
Severe deficiencies can respond faster to infusions in terms of symptomatic relief. This includes severe short-term depletion, with the most popular cause being continuous partying while on holiday or a major hangover.
Some clients return from holiday or emerge from holidays such as Christmas, and have little time to recover as they must return to work and other responsibilities.
Others may have just competed in major sporting events, including marathons and team sports competitions, and need replenishment of their bodies’ nutrient stores.
One example of this benefit can be seen with vitamin K infusions to prevent warfarin toxicity. In a study comparing infusions to oral supplements, the intravenous route was even faster than oral intakes of higher doses than the infusion. After just four hours, the International Normalised Ratio (INR) fell from 12.4 to 3.7, enough to take it out of the danger zone for excessively long clotting times.
No INR values fell below the 4.0 threshold by four hours in any oral supplement group, and some hadn’t fallen past it after 24 hours. This is despite some oral vitamin K preparations sitting at a high 5mg dose and the infusion only containing 2mg.
3. Preventing Long-Term Issues
A strong hit of nutrients you’re currently deficient in may prevent longer-term issues later, especially if you are an athlete. You’ve spent months on intensive training, and now it’s time to recharge, and we really mean recharge. Calcium and magnesium can prevent bone loss and inflammation, respectively, but are lost to sweat or used up more during exercise. Deficiencies in the fat-soluble vitamins D and E can impair muscle power and overall performance, while B vitamin deficiencies may cause fatigue and anxiety. Increased nutrient use, sweat, and lower absorption during times of stress may deplete your levels of these and other vitamins and minerals.
4. Treatment Period
Oral supermarket supplements typically show their greatest benefits when you take them long-term. You may need them for several months, or possibly indefinitely if your specific situation calls for them.
Some people, however, may start taking oral supplements even though their need for a nutrient top-up is more acute and self-limiting. In these cases, a vitamin infusion could save you money and inconvenience over time as it may quickly support your overall health.
Additionally, oral supplements are safe for long-term use. We must add that too many infusions can cause excessive levels of the nutrients they contain and potentially lead to fluid imbalance, so they are only indicated for short-term therapy.
In summary, oral supermarket supplements are best for long-term maintenance use, such as if you work a physically demanding job and you are able to absorb them.
Infusions are ideal for short-term relief of more severe deficiencies, such as lingering lethargy after a party-filled holiday or triathlon.
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To learn more about how vitamin infusions might help you or book a session, contact SOUL IV’s Customer Experience team on 1300 GO SOUL (1300 467 685) or click here.
To request your free wellness plan, click here.
References:
- https://tech.snmjournals.org/content/46/3/221.long
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1365-2141.2001.03070.x
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10302780/
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult a physician before beginning any therapy program or making any adjustments in your healthcare, diet, and/or lifestyle. Do not remove yourself from any prescribed medications or therapies without consulting your doctor. Any and all dietary supplements or nutritional products discussed on this website are not TGA-approved and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. The information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied.
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