For most people, when they think about how to ensure their bodies receive the recommended daily allowances of all the vitamins and nutrients that they need, they ponder what foods they?ll be consuming for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.  They do their best to incorporate plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and nonfat dairy products for a well-rounded, well-balanced diet.  Some men and women may also take supplements to boost vitamin levels even more. 
 
But what if you have extenuating medical conditions that make it difficult to chew and swallow food, let alone ingest capsules or pills?  For those circumstances, IV nutrition therapy may be the solution to help maintain energy levels, mental acuity and bodily functions. 
 
Holistic doctors believe that IV infusion can be an extremely effective delivery method for those who cannot consume food through their mouths.   For individuals suffering from Crohn?s disease, short bowel syndrome or compromised digestive tracts due to the removal of parts of their stomach, pancreas or colon, eating food is simply not an option.  Nor is it for those diagnosed with cancer, whose digestive systems have been damaged by radiation and/or chemotherapy and can no longer absorb and process vital nutrients.
 
Also known as parenteral nutrition, or total parenteral nutrition (TPN), IV nutrition therapy gets sugar, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, electrolytes and trace elements into the body via intravenous (IV) injection.  By bypassing the liver and digestive system completely, it delivers what the body needs through another high-traffic channel: the blood stream.  
 
Because needed nutrients are injected directly into the veins and are undiluted by the digestive process, patients receive quicker relief and faster results.  This type of delivery method also permits the high-dose administration of key vitamins and nutrients, which would be extremely difficult to obtain via pill form due to the body?s inability to tolerate such elevated amounts when taken orally.  Cancer patients suffering from hypovitaminosis, as well as patients suffering with other chronic conditions that require substantial levels of vitamin C, are able to get high dosages of bioavailable nutrients directly to nutrient-starved cells, tissues and organs.  Vitamin C infusion can also be enriched with up to 20 amino acids, minerals and other vitamins and nutrients.
 
In addition to helping ensure the body receives the nutrition it needs to function and heal, IV infusions reap additional benefits of hydrating cells, providing more energy, strengthening the immune system, and detoxifying the body from mercury, lead and other toxins.  
 
If you?re thinking about IV therapy for your unique health concern, consult with your primary physician as you would with any medical treatment to determine if this is an appropriate course of action for you.
 
Our practices in the greater New York City area offer IV infusions that include IV vitamin C, IV glutathione, IV vitamin B complex and IV nutrition.  For more information, or to learn more about this holistic practitioner?s whole-body approach to good, responsible medicine, schedule a consultation at his Brooklyn office (718-382-9200) or Great Neck office (516-467-0253.)