IV Vitamins & Nutritional Therapies

At Dermatology Care and Wellness Center, we believe that optimal health starts with prevention. We offer a variety of nutritional therapies both for health maintenance and for treatment. Keeping your body healthy and in a state of homeostasis requires the proper balance of vitamins and minerals, enzymes, amino acids, fiber and essential fatty acids which, unfortunately, we do not always get in optimal amounts from the food we eat today.

Why do we need supplements?

In a perfect world, we would get all of the nutrition that our bodies need simply by eating healthy food. This, however, is not a perfect world. Over the past 50 years or so, our food has become processed, refined and devitalized with chemical sprays such as pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers. More and more foods today are genetically modified, bleached, processed, refined, and transported from far distances. Furthermore, artificial chemicals, preservatives, dyes, and sugar are frequently added to our food supply. All of these put stress on the quality of our food and deplete the food of important and vital nutrients, making it far less healthy than what our ancestors would have eaten 100 years ago. In essence, our food intake has become much less healthy, loaded with higher amounts of fat, sugar, and man-made chemicals, all which put much more stress on the body and increase inflammation which often lead to chronic diseases.

It’s been estimated that 70% of the intake of the average American diet consists of processed foods. A recent study led by the University of Texas found a “reliable decline” in the nutritional value of 43 of the most common types of produce when comparing today’s foods to 1950. In other studies, food processing has been shown to remove up to 80% of many key vitamins and minerals including vitamin E, B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and other trace elements. The fact is that our food supply is not as healthy today as it was years ago and we are seeing direct evidence by the increase in many chronic diseases today, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, autoimmune disease, obesity and cancer.

Many other factors also affect the nutritional value of our foods. For example, stress, cigarette smoking, various over-the-counter and prescription medication

Aside from the decline of nutrients in our food, many people are exposed to heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium or arsenic while others are taking medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, acid blockers, statin drugs, and birth control pills. All of these agents impede our ability to metabolize our food and can contribute to difficulty absorbing our nutrients. If our gut bacteria or intestinal flora is impaired or imbalanced, our ability to absorb and assimilate our nutrients is adversely affected. Chronic stress and cigarette smoking also affect our nutrient status.

Will I need supplements?

Unfortunately, in today’s world, we cannot get all of our nutrients from food alone. When the body is not getting the nutrition it requires to function optimally, things tend to go wrong. Many of the common illnesses and health conditions we see today have their root in improper eating or a lacking of vital nutrients. For these reasons, we often recommend a targeted, individualized nutrient plan.

At the Dermatology Care and Wellness Center, we utilize an extremely thorough and unique series of blood and urine testing, along with other diagnostic techniques to investigate exactly how your body is functioning, determining the levels of nutrients and vitamins, environmental toxins, intestinal flora and more. Upon specialized testing, we have found that virtually everyone has some degree of deficiency of an important nutrient or an imbalance or excess of perhaps an unhealthy substance. We are then able to take the proper steps toward correcting any imbalance through food and/or supplements. Both oral and intravenous nutrients may be recommended depending on the case. This not only helps the body to heal itself of its current illness, but will help to prevent further problems in the future.

How Does IV Vitamin Work?

IV Vitamin Therapy is a method of delivering vitamins, minerals and other vital nutrients to the body directly into the bloodstream. A small intravenous catheter is temporarily placed into a vein, and the nutrients can be administered slowly over a period of time that is dependent upon the nutrients that are used. This process floods the cells with nutrients and can increase and optimize cellular health.

What is IV Vitamin Therapy Good For?

Even if you do not have a specific condition you’d like to treat, you can’t go wrong with vitamin therapy. According to a recent study, 92% of the U.S. population are deficient in at least one vitamin or mineral. Benefits could include, but are not limited to, increased energy, enhanced immune support, stress relief, better sports performance, & better overall health.

Are There Any Potential Side Effects?

Though these side effects are rare, there is a potential for the following:

  • Contraindications to IV vitamin C are pre-existing renal insufficiency or failure and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency, as these individuals are predisposed to vitamin C toxicity. There have been cases of individuals with G-6-PD deficiency who have experienced acute hemolysis due to high-dose IV vitamin C. Acute oxalate nephropathy and renal failure also have been reported after high-dose IV vitamin C.
  • Myers’ cocktail IV has reported an adverse reaction, with increased feelings of depression, insomnia, and dyspepsia, and had increases in blood pressure. Patients with cardiac disease and those taking medications that deplete potassium should be screened for hypokalemia before receiving a Myer’s infusion because of the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. The more common side effects to the Myers’ infusion are a burning sensation at the injection site and phlebitis caused by the hypertonicity of the infusion.
  • There have been reports of anaphylaxis to thiamine that often occur after multiple separate administrations of thiamine.
  • Hypotension also can occur and appears to be due to administering the infusion too quickly, which can lead to lightheadedness and syncope.
  • Infection is also a risk, particularly in individuals with underlying illnesses who may be at higher risk.

What Does Each Vitamin/Mineral Do?

Depending on your needs and the course of action your doctor decides, there are a variety of vitamins and minerals that could be included in your IV Vitamin drip. Below you will find a list of different vitamins and minerals we offer, along with what they do for the body.

  • Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) – Provides protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health implications, eye disease, and wrinkle related aging. In the body, ascorbic acid acts as an antioxidant, which means it protects the body from harmful free radicals and helps the immune system fight against bacteria and viruses, like the common cold and flu. 
  • Thiamine (Vitamin B1) – Used by the body to metabolize food turning nutrients into usable energy. It also assists in promoting proper heart and nerve function. Thiamine is required for regulating the transmission of certain nerve signals along the brain and spinal cord. It is also great for hangover recovery.
  • Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) – Plays a major role in energy production and is an essential nutrient in your diet, working as both a vitamin and antioxidant. Riboflavin facilitates a healthy metabolism, preventing free radical damage. It also contributes to the growth and protection of skin and eye health. Riboflavin supplementation is essential since it cannot be stored in the human body.
  • Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – Important for maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system and metabolism by balancing blood cholesterol levels. It also promotes proper brain function, healthy skin formation and maintenance, diabetes prevention, and toxin removal from the liver.
  • Dexpanthenol (Vitamin B5) – Needed for many chemical reactions in cells. It assists in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, while helping your body detoxify by excreting waste at a faster rate. Dexpanthenol also promotes healthy circulation helping with inflammation and skin conditions.
  • Pyridoxine HCI (Vitamin B6) – Required for proper brain development and function. The body uses it to make the hormones like serotonin and norepinephrine, which affect mood and brain function. Pyridoxine HCL is used by the body to make melatonin, helping regulate your internal clock. It also strengthens the immune system, and is essential in digestion for high protein diets.
  • Biotin (Vitamin B7) – Essential nutrient for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein. Biotin increases nail strength and flexibility, and promotes hair growth. It also lowers blood glucose levels. A deficiency in Biotin can result in rashes, dermatitis, and/or acne.
  • Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) – Assists the body in producing and maintaining new cells, promoting healthier looking cells. Red blood cell formation is dependent upon adequate levels. Folic acid can also significantly reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure. It also helps cells resist mutation in DNA associated with cancer development.
  • Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) – Provides essential nutrients needed for proper digestion and absorption of foods, and for normal metabolism of carbohydrates and fat. It aids in maintaining healthy nerve cells and red blood cells, and assists in the replication of DNA.  Fun fact: Vegetarian diets can cause a deficiency in B12!
  • Vitamin A- contra pregnancy–  Plays an important role in bone health, reproduction, and immune system health. It also helps skin and mucous membranes repel bacteria and viruses more efficiently. Vitamin A is also very important for eye health and functionality.
  • Vitamin D – Facilitates normal immune system function, improving resistance against certain diseases such as heart disease and flu. Important for optimal development of bones and teeth. Vitamin D also promotes mental health by improving moods and warding off depression and anxiety.
  • Vitamin E – Functions mainly as an antioxidant in the body, fighting against harmful free radicals and disease development. It helps to repair damaged skin and works to grow and strengthen your hair. Vitamin E also improves energy and physical endurance. It can also be taken as an oral supplement, but keep in mind, Vitamin E is known as a blood thinner. 
  • Vitamin K – plays an important role in blood clotting. It is essential for building strong bones, preventing heart disease, and a crucial part of other bodily processes and general health. It can also be taken as an oral supplement.
  • Vitamin K – contra pregnancy– Helps blood to clot. It is essential to prevent serious bleeding. Babies do not get enough vitamin K from their mothers during pregnancy, or when they are breastfeeding. Without vitamin K, they are at risk of getting a rare disorder called ‘vitamin K deficiency bleeding’ (VKDB). VKDB can cause bleeding into the brain, and may result in brain damage or even death. VKDB can be prevented by giving new babies extra vitamin K. By the age of about 6 months, they have built up their own supply. 
  • Taurine – Essential for heart and bone health, and aides in vision and hearing. It is one of the most abundant amino acids in muscle tissue, the brain, and many other organs in the body. It’s best understood function is in creating bile, which is needed to metabolize fats.
  • Selenium – Valuable for its role in antioxidant activity. As a component of antioxidant enzymes, particularly glutathione reductase, it’s key for repairing tissues throughout the body. Because it both increases antioxidant capabilities and the quality of blood flow, it can help to enhance resistance against diseases and effects of stress. It also has the ability to fight oxidative stress and inflammation.
  • Lipoic Acid –  A powerful antioxidant that works with the mitochondria to boost metabolism, prevent inflammation, eliminate toxins, reverse some of the oxidant (free radical) damage related to aging, restore antioxidant levels, and reduce blood sugar levels.  It is synthesized in the mitochondria, the energy powerhouses of all the body’s cells. 
  • Magnesium – Involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions in your body. Magnesium may boost exercise performance, fight depression, lower blood pressure, and prevent migraines. It also has benefits against Type 2 Diabetes and can reduce insulin resistance.
  • Zinc – Like iron, zinc is a metal found throughout our body and is considered an essential nutrient our bodies can only get from outside sources. It’s responsible for the creation of DNA, it plays an essential role in the wound-healing process, and it also fortifies your immune system when your body is invaded by a virus. It may also help with balancing hormone levels in the body.
  • Glutathione 1-3gm– Protects cells against the oxidative stress that damages cell membrane proteins. Without adequate glutathione, mitochondrial oxygen metabolism produces large numbers of free radicals, which causes cells to perform poorly or die. Research shows that oxidative stress increases with aging, and leads to degenerative diseases such as: heart disease, memory problems, cancer, diabetes and arthritis to name a few. Glutathione is the most significant antioxidant because it is the only one capable of working with enzymes. One enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), works with glutathione to prevent membranes from becoming oxidized. Glutathione also assists in activating the better-known antioxidants, vitamin C and vitamin E. As a detoxifier glutathione is unparalleled. It binds metals and other toxins and transforms them into compounds that can be excreted in bile or urine. Once bound, these toxins become water-soluble and can be transported out of cells. Glutathione deficiency is commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease, alcoholism, Alzheimer’s disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. Other conditions associated with low glutathione include asthma, cancer, lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), aging, cystic fibrosis, liver and heart disease, ischemia, stroke, seizure, sickle cell anemia and metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

What Blends are Available & How Does it Cost?

Hydration Sensation: $99 – Dehydration is known to aggravate many issues of the central nervous system, such as brain fog and decreased quality of life. This therapy is used for rehydrating the body with 1000cc of normal saline. 

Myer’s Cocktail: $169 – This tried and true blend is one of the most widely known vitamin therapies. Myer’s Cocktail is formulated to boost your energy levels, keeping you going all day long. It is great for people who are constantly fatigued, stressed out, and/or run down from daily life. This blend is a combination of Magnesium, Edetate Calcium Disodium, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin C, added to 250cc of normal saline.

Beauty Blend: $169 – Designed specifically to treat your hair, skin, and nails, our Beauty Blend is the perfect boost you need to revive dull skin, lifeless hair, and brittle nails. Our powerful blend of Biotin, Edetate Calcium Disodium, Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Dexpanthenol (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine HCI (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12, and Ascorbic Acid are added to 250cc of normal saline.

Complete Elite Immunity Boost:  $209- Our Complete Elite Immunity Boost blend is the perfect package of vitamins and minerals, giving you an extreme dose of antioxidants, hydration, and immune boosters. We have created the perfect blend of Selenium, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Folic Acid, Taurine, Lipoic Acid, Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Dexpanthenol (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine HCI (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12, Edetate Calcium Disodium, Glutathione, and Zinc., added to 250cc of normal saline.

B-12 IM: $35 – B-12 injections are very quick and easy, and do not require IV set up. It is administered intravenously via syringe, and over in seconds. B-12 provides essential nutrients needed for proper digestion and absorption of foods, and for normal metabolism of carbohydrates and fat. It aids in maintaining healthy nerve cells and red blood cells, and assists in the replication of DNA.

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