Intravenous (IV) Nutrient Therapy

Intravenous infusion of certain vitamins and minerals can often be the missing treatment to many diseases.  It’s profound effect gives it a place in the co-management of many medical conditions.

What is IV Nutrition?

Intravenous nutrition is method of feeding vitamins, minerals, and other natural therapeutic substances directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive tract, where many nutrients may be partially or fully lost due to poor absorption. IV nutrition also creates higher than normal blood levels of the specified nutrients, which have been shown by the scientific literature to be effective in the treatment of certain conditions.

Therapeutic Applications

Hypertension, Asthma, Parkinson's Disease, HIV Infection, Congestive Heart Failure, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Diabetes, just to name a few, have had proven favorable responses to IV nutrition as shown by the scientific literature.

Safety of IV Nutrient Therapy

Dr. Handwerger tailors his treatments mainly from the body of scientific evidence specific to the given condition. We only use therapies shown to have a minimal of side effects, and we customize our IV infusions in consultation with some of the world's leading authorities in this field of medicine. Some people may have a fear of needles, but we  do everything possible to create a warm, comfortable, relaxing environment for our patients while they receive their infusions.

Effects of  Intravenous Nutrition

Direct Cellular Nutrition

Bypasses intestinal malabsorption

Immediate therapeutic effects

Condition specific IV therapeutic benefits

Alleviates nutritional deficiencies

IV Vitamin C (IVC)

This is an effective way to treat infectious diseases from cold and flu to Hepatitis C and HIV. IVC Therapy has been shown to kill viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner.

IV Glutathione

Effective detoxification through the liver. Indicated in Parkinson’s Disease and Macular Degeneration as well as to protect against toxicity from certain chemotherapeutic agents.

Myers’ Cocktail

This widely used treatment has been a cornerstone for orthomolecular medicine, and has greatly improved conditions such as chronic fatigue, Fibromyalgia, migraines, and asthma.

IV Nutrition

Direct delivery of nutrients to address deficiencies related to disease-specific conditions provide an immediate therapeutic effect.

"Administering a vitamin and mineral formula (known as the “Myers cocktail”) intravenously may be useful in treating a variety of medical problems, according to a report in Alternative Medicine Review (2002;7:389–403). Although few studies have been published on this therapy, many physicians have observed its benefit in treating migraine headaches, fatigue, allergies, heart disease, acute asthma attacks, fibromyalgia, infections and other conditions.

The Myers cocktail was pioneered by John Myers, M.D., a physician from Baltimore, Maryland, who developed this treatment more than 30 years ago. The doses of the various nutrients were subsequently modified, based on more recent information, by Alan R. Gaby, M.D., the author of the report.

The vitamin-mineral combination includes magnesium, calcium, vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B5 (dexpanthenol), vitamin B complex and vitamin C. Intravenous therapy can raise blood levels of nutrients to a considerably greater extent than oral therapy can, and some doctors believe that achieving these high blood levels has therapeutic benefits in certain clinical situations. The benefits of the Myers cocktail may be due to the drug-like (pharmacological) effects of some nutrients (for example, high concentrations of vitamin C kills viruses), or to improved transport of nutrients from the blood into the cells. More research is necessary to clarify this issue.

Some physicians who use the Myers cocktail report that it is particularly useful in treating acute asthma attacks and acute migraine headaches. Relief of symptoms usually occurs within minutes of administering the concoction. It is not clear whether the benefits are due to one nutrient or to the combination of nutrients, but other studies have shown that intravenous magnesium alone can reduce the symptoms of asthma and migraines. However, the author’s observation is that the Myers cocktail is more beneficial for acute asthma attacks than is magnesium alone.

The Myers cocktail is also useful in treating angina, chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchitis, sinusitis, fibromyalgia, hayfever, chronic hives, narcotic withdrawal, hyperthyroidism, muscles spasms, tension headaches, and some cases of mild to moderate depression. While many people improved after the first treatment, others required several treatments to achieve the maximum benefit, suggesting this therapy may have a cumulative effect. The number of treatments needed varies by person and condition. Some individuals obtain long-lasting relief after a few treatments, while others require ongoing treatments to maintain the benefit. The risk of serious adverse reactions is said to be low and the treatment is usually well tolerated.

The most common side effect of the Myers cocktail is a sensation of warmth, particularly if the injection is given rapidly. This effect is primarily due to magnesium, although calcium may also be a contributing factor. People with low blood pressure may be more prone to this side effect than those with normal or high blood pressure. The Myers cocktail can be prescribed only by a medical doctor, osteopath, or a naturopathic medical doctor.