IV Therapy is a way to boost your body with vital nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This boost helps strengthen your immune system, remove toxins, relieve stress, increase energy, and relieve unwanted symptoms. Dr. Wood has a wide array of options to fit your needs, delivered in a relaxing environment.
Why IVs? Why not just take supplements orally?
High-dose oral supplementation isn’t quite as intense or as effective as an IV and often times oral supplements can cause some stress on the stomach or digestive system, especially if one has malabsorption issues. IVs bypass the digestive system completely and provide much faster therapeutic effects and allow high serum concentrations which deliver direct cellular nutrition.
A wide array of conditions and issues can be addressed with nutrient IV therapies as an alternative to pharmaceuticals. These include migraines, hangovers, stress, fatigue, colds or flu, allergies, post-surgical wound healing or truly anything taxing the body. IV Therapies are also used to strengthen your immune system, for athletic performance enhancement, and for detoxification.
What’s in these IVs?
While many formulas are available to choose from, here are some of the ingredients used in our IV therapies and their benefits:
Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant, which provides support for your adrenal glands and boosts your immune system. Much of the vitamin C that we consume is not fully absorbed by our bodies. However, when it’s delivered by IV, vitamin C is 100% bioavailable. High-dose vitamin C is particularly useful when you have been under stress if you are feeling excessive fatigue when your immune system needs bolstering to fight acute or chronic viral and bacterial infections, after sun damage or surgery, and to help improve the side effects of chemo and radiation therapy.
L-carnitine: An amino acid often used as a dietary supplement. It aids in increased energy levels by transporting fatty acids to your cells. Diet, medication, and genetic issues can make it harder to get enough L-carnitine. When used along with regular exercise and a healthy diet, L-carnitine can enhance weight loss results and help maintain normal blood sugar levels. It may also have a positive impact on brain function. Studies saw improvements in cognitive function, memory, and focus in older individuals taking daily L-carnitine supplements.
Glutathione: A very potent natural antioxidant produced in cells. It’s comprised largely of three amino acids: glutamine, glycine, and cysteine. Glutathione levels in the body may be reduced by a number of factors, including poor nutrition, environmental toxins, stress, and genetics. Levels also decline with age. Studies have shown that glutathione can reduce cell damage in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, improve psoriasis symptoms, can help with insulin resistance, and can help fight against autoimmune disease. Glutathione was also found to be most effective when given intravenously, in high doses.
Alpha-lipoic acid: Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is used in the body to break down carbohydrates and to make energy for the other organs in the body. It has been shown to promote normal thyroid levels. Studies have shown that Alpha Lipoic Acid can make it easier for the body to use its own insulin to reduce blood sugar levels. ALA may also reduce nerve damage from diabetes or cancer treatment and it can help slow the aging process by reversing oxidative damage to DNA. If you’re trying to lose weight, alpha-lipoic acid can help your weight loss efforts pay off better by decreasing insulin resistance and boosting energy levels. Alpha-lipoic acid reduces inflammation and has benefits for every system in your body. ALA also aids in detoxification.
Vitamin B12: B12 is required for the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen and vital nutrients throughout the body. Deficiencies in B12 can be a cause of tiredness and fatigue as it helps convert food into glucose, which the body requires for energy production. B12 supports mental and cognitive performance and can help slow down memory loss. As B12 boosts metabolism, increasing levels of this vitamin can aid in weight loss. It can help fight mood swings, loss of focus, and depression by synthesizing melatonin, dopamine, and serotonin; those chemicals that influence your moods. If you’re suffering from a B12 deficiency, a common side effect is insomnia which leads to fatigue. Vitamin B12 is also necessary for methylation to occur, and this aids in detoxification.
Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 helps to repair free radical damage and plays a vital role in the maintenance of a healthy weight. CoQ10 has been shown to help improve blood sugar regulation and heart health, assist in the prevention and treatment of cancer, and reduce the frequency of migraines. It has also been shown to reduce the oxidative damage that leads to muscle fatigue, skin damage, and brain and lung diseases.
Magnesium: Magnesium is an essential mineral for optimal metabolic function and a natural muscle relaxant. Research has shown that the mineral content of magnesium in food sources is declining and that magnesium depletion has been detected in persons with some chronic diseases. Studies have shown the effectiveness of magnesium arrhythmia, asthma, constipation, and migraines. Magnesium has also shown promising results including lowering the risk of metabolic syndrome, improving glucose and insulin metabolism, and relieving muscle tension and cramps.
Myer’s cocktail: This nutrient “Cocktail” includes B-vitamins (including B12), magnesium, calcium, and Vitamin C and is given by a slow IV push to achieve concentrations of nutrients that are not obtainable with oral administration. Its name is based on the name of the physician, John Myers, M.D., who used intravenous injections of nutrients to treat many chronic conditions. Conditions found to respond well to this treatment include acute asthma attacks, migraines, fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, acute muscle spasm, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, seasonal allergies, and cardiovascular disease. Improvements in athletic performance have also been observed.
We provide a vision and a plan for your long-term health and wellness.
Dr. Wood utilizes a wide variety of testing and treatments to restore your health.
Please note that Dr. Wood does not serve as your primary care provider, and we ask that you please maintain your current relationship. She does, however, look for underlying root causes of symptoms, and is an expert at diagnosing and treating them. Her services are the perfect accompaniment with your PCP!
Contact our New Patient Coordinator
Call us for a consultation to see how we can help. We’ll answer any questions you have, explain our treatment approach, protocols, fees, and options. Or fill out the contact form below and we will contact you at a time that is convenient for you.
New Patients Call: 972-382-5597