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IV Therapy vs. Oral Supplements: Which Is More Effective?

IV Therapy vs. Oral Supplements: Which Is More Effective?

March 20, 2023

Despite the fact that Americans take in, on average, 3,600 calories per day, many of these calories are bereft of essential vitamins and nutrients. In fact, 31% of the US population is at risk for a vitamin deficiency, and 23% is at risk for two deficiencies.

To make up for the difference, there are plenty of options in oral supplements, which can line an entire aisle in your local pharmacy. In fact, the options are somewhat overwhelming, which is one of the many reasons we recommend tailored IV nutrition therapies at Osteopathic Wellness Center.

Dr. David Johnston and our team believe in a holistic approach to health and wellness that doesn’t simply treat symptoms. We understand that by providing your body with the tools it needs for great health, we can address most health problems at their root and prevent further issues from developing. And that’s exactly our mission with IV therapy — to ensure that your body has the resources it needs to function optimally.

If you’re in need of vitamin and nutrient supplements, here’s a look at why IV therapy outperforms oral supplements.

 

Eliminating the waste

When you take an oral vitamin supplement, it needs to pass through your digestive system, which is full of digestive acids that help break down food. These same stomach acids can also break down your vitamin supplement, leaving only a fraction of its original potency to pass on through to your small intestine, where it’s absorbed into your bloodstream. But even there, an oral supplement can run into trouble as your small intestine only absorbs a limited amount of certain nutrients.

With our IV therapy, we deliver the vitamins and nutrients directly to where they can do the most good — your bloodstream. A 100% absorption rate is one of the most important benefits of our IV therapy.

And this delivery method is especially helpful for anyone who suffers from ongoing gastrointestinal problems that lead to inflammation, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease. . In bypassing your intestinal tract, we can safely deliver nutrients into your system.

 

Addressing your needs

Multivitamins are a blanket approach to making up for certain deficiencies, but we believe in tailoring our IV therapies to the unique needs of our patients. To get started, Dr. Johnston thoroughly evaluates your health to figure out where you may need a boost in nutrients. Armed with this information, we can decide which of our IV therapies can benefit you most. 

For example, if you struggle with your immune system, an IV drip chock full of vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin B12, and calcium provides your immunity with the boost it needs. If you’re an athlete, we may load you up with antioxidants and a good blend of vitamins to oversee your muscle health.

With oral supplements, you’re usually left buying multiple bottles to get the vitamins you need, and, even then, sufficient amounts may not get to where they need to go.

If you’d like to learn more about our IV therapy, please contact our office in Ridgefield, Connecticut, at 203-439-6816 or schedule an appointment using our online booking tool.

 

About the Author:

Dr. David L. Johnston is an osteopathic physician who operates Osteopathic Wellness Center, LLC, in Ridgefield. He is a licensed, board certified osteopathic physician with more than twenty five years experience working with infants, children, and adults.

 


 

FAQs

 

What is the advantage of IV therapy over oral supplements for vitamin and nutrient supplementation?

IV therapy offers several advantages over oral supplements when it comes to delivering vitamins and nutrients to your body. One of the main advantages is the elimination of waste. When you take an oral supplement, it has to pass through your digestive system, where stomach acids can break down the supplement and limit its absorption. In contrast, IV therapy delivers vitamins and nutrients directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and ensuring a 100% absorption rate. This is especially beneficial for individuals with gastrointestinal issues that may hinder nutrient absorption.

How does IV therapy address individual needs compared to multivitamins?

While multivitamins provide a broad range of nutrients, IV therapy allows for a more personalized approach to addressing individual needs. With IV therapy, Dr. Johnston evaluates your health and determines which specific nutrients you may need a boost in. This tailored approach enables us to create IV therapy formulations that are customized to your unique requirements. For example, if you have immune system issues, an IV drip with vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin B12, and calcium can provide a targeted boost to your immunity. By directly delivering the right nutrients into your bloodstream, IV therapy ensures optimal absorption and effectiveness compared to relying on multiple oral supplements. Contact our office in Ridgefield, Connecticut, at 203-439-6816 to learn more about our IV therapy options or schedule an appointment.