Are you curious about intravenous therapy? If so, you should know that we’re accepting new patients for IV therapy in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre.

According to the functional medicine model, a patient-centered, collaborative approach to wellness can drive a patient to make healthy lifestyle decisions. This is why a functional health provider sets aside time to discuss how a treatment plan works, the importance of lifestyle modifications, and how to read lab reports. 

In our IV Lounge, we commonly introduce intravenous drips to those who haven’t had it before. But it’s true that some patients are hesitant at first due to the misconceptions of intravenous therapy treatments. In this article, we debunk some true-or-false statements for your education. (Don’t worry, we tell you at the end of this article how to book your appointment!) 

Debunking True-or-False IV therapy Facts

True or False: IV vitamin drips can be used as adjunctive wellness support 

True: Intravenous drips can be used as a supportive tool for general wellness and are commonly integrated as adjunctive wellness support. While they are not intended to replace a healthy lifestyle, IV therapy may offer benefits when used alongside a balanced diet, regular exercise, and other therapies. These drips can help promote healthier energy levels, support immune function, and contribute to muscle health, especially in cases of extreme dehydration or nutritional depletion.

True or False: Getting IV nutrient therapy is the same as taking oral supplementation. 

False: Both of these modalities can help alleviate nutrient deficiencies – but they are not the same. Oral supplementation requires swallowing a tablet, capsule, liquid, etc., which must be filtered by the digestive tract. Due to this absorption process, the oral route may not provide the full dosage you were hoping to consume. Intravenous drip therapy, on the other hand, administers nutrients in a solution. This solution is held in a bag, and a tube connects your vein to the solution. IV therapy allows nutrients to instantly enter the blood stream without the digestive process. Due to this rapid flow of nutrients into the blood, IV therapy allows for direct absorption of nutrients, delivering the intended dosage into the bloodstream to support therapeutic effectiveness.

If you suffer from a digestive health condition such as celiac disease, colitis or irritable bowel disorder (IBD), regular IV treatments can help sustain nutrient levels. These conditions tend to come with malabsorption, which prevents the digestive tract from optimally absorbing nutrients; functional medicine providers may recommend IV therapy for these cases.  

True or False: IV vitamin infusions can support post-workout recovery. 

True: IV therapy drips can promote positive effects for muscle recovery! In fact, you can book your drip session after a practice or game. 

When you’re physically active, you use up various essential nutrients. After your workout, it’s ideal to replenish nutrients quickly to optimally function. A post-workout IV drip is valuable for boosting hydration with ideal electrolytes, including magnesium and potassium; these electrolytes are not available in regular water, and commercial energy drinks tend to contain unwanted sugars and preservatives. 

Additionally, IV therapy can help prevent or reduce muscle fatigue. A post-workout drip can boast minerals and amino acids to support your cellular health, muscle contractions, and the functioning of nerves; these nutrients are speedily absorbed by the body for immediate use. In turn, nutrients delivered via IV therapy can help prevent muscle and cellular damage from a heavy workout. 

True or False: Intravenous therapy is effective for all ages, lifestyles, and conditions. 

False: Though IV therapy can offer several health advantages, it may not be suitable for everyone. If you have liver and kidney conditions, an intravenous infusion may not be advised, as some doses of nutrients can aggravate symptoms. Also, those with heart conditions may experience discomforts due to the speedy influx of IV fluids. To avoid these interactions, please book an initial consultation with your local IV therapy provider. During this session, you’ll likely be asked to disclose your health concerns, current health condition, allergic reactions, etc.; then, your health consultant can advise if IV therapy is appropriate for you. 

True or False: Therapeutic doses of nutrients need to be the same for all patients.

False: Having a pre-made standard dose may not suffice for your needs, as the doses may be weak or dosed excessively. If you opt for IV therapy, ask your IV therapy provider for a preservative free custom-made drip. This is to ensure that your body receives the appropriate doses of vitamins and minerals. When key ingredients are calculated for your biology, this can increase your chances of experiencing beneficial effects. In fact, the Annals of Family Medicine reports that customized health care is “…a key component of patient preference-based care, an approach which has been shown to reduce surgical procedures, hospitalizations, and overall costs.” 

Suggested reading: 10 IV Therapy Toronto Facts You Didn’t Know About Vitamin D

Join us inside the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre

If you want to improve functioning for your daily activities, why not check out our IV Lounge? Vitamin drips can be prescribed by our IV therapy providers for general wellness concerns, such as improving energy levels, promoting liver detoxification,  alleviating vitamins and  mineral deficiencies. 

When intravenous drips are combined with a healthy quality of life and other functional medicine therapies, they may help with optimal functioning. Each IV drip from our practice is customized – this means your drip may never be  the same as another patient’s! We tailor IV doses of nutrients to target biological needs, and these dosages are determined with functional medicine principles. Amino acids (including glutamic acid), glutathione, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients are offered in our IV Lounge. (Note: Glutathione, B12, and vitamin D injections may also be prescribed by us.)

With 20+ years of clinical experience combined, our functional medicine providers are proficient at modifying treatments. Here are some fun facts to know about us: 

• • Each IV drip administered by our IV Lounge is supervised for safety. Intravenous therapy appointments are monitored by our wellness team, which includes a functional-practising naturopathic doctor, registered nurses and nurse practitioners. 
  • We opened the first IV Lounge in Toronto in 2012! Since then, we have expanded our clinic with additional health practitioners and holistic treatments, including psychotherapy and holistic nutrition.

Let’s help untap your potential for optimal health with IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre! Learn how to combat brain fog and chronic fatigue on a cellular level – reserve your initial appointment right now. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

Bland J. Defining Function in the Functional Medicine Model. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2017 Feb;16(1):22-25. PMID: 28223904; PMCID: PMC5312741.

Mody, Purav & Li, Shu-Xia & Dharmarajan, Kumar & Kim, Nancy & Strait, Kelly & Horwitz, Leora & Krumholz, Harlan. (2012). Abstract 222: Administration of Intravenous Fluids in Patients Hospitalized with Heart Failure. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 5. 10.1161/circoutcomes.5.suppl_1.A222.

Sinsky CA, Bavafa H, Roberts RG, Beasley JW. Standardization vs Customization: Finding the Right Balance. Ann Fam Med. 2021 Mar-Apr;19(2):171-177. doi: 10.1370/afm.2654. PMID: 33685879; PMCID: PMC7939702.