Are you running a marathon soon? If so, IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) can rehydrate your body after an enduring run.

Hydration fuels our optimal health and functioning – after all, the human body is composed of 60-70% water! Dehydration occurs when you lose amounts of water that are excessive compared to the fluids your body has absorbed. And when you’re dehydrated, you also lack electrolytes, which are mandatory for muscle and cellular functions. 

For long-distance running, hydration should be prioritized because you breathe and sweat in a quick manner – this can trigger fast fluid loss. “The same occurs in hot weather, so, when we combine the two and run when it’s warm, we … put ourselves at greater risk of dehydration if we don’t take on enough fluids,” confirms a Runner’s World article. 

This fact sheet from our private downtown clinic includes: the significance of hydration for physical exertions; tips on sustaining hydration; and details about our Toronto IV Lounge. 

Understanding Hydration for Toronto Marathon Runners

Some runners are oblivious to hydration practices, and this can be concerning. Dehydration can cause poor functioning, potentially triggering a range of health consequences. Though you should be hydrated before a run, this doesn’t mean you should guzzle H20 right before the event! Fluid intake is individualistic, and a functional medicine/IV therapy provider can offer custom hydration advice. Fluid levels and needs may vary between runners due to: 

• • Lifestyle factors (i.e. drinking alcohol, smoking, etc.)
  • Dietary intake of hydrating foods (i.e. fruits and vegetables)
  • Genetics
  • Age, gender, weight
  • Temperature of weather 
  • Intensity of physical exertions

Getting a tailored treatment plan helps sustain your liquid intake during and after a marathon. Upon reaching the finish line, replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes is required for preventing dizziness and light-headedness. Electrolytes, which includes magnesium, bicarbonate, potassium, sodium, and calcium, foster tissue repair and energy production at a cellular level. 

But drinking as much water as you can isn’t the answer – there is such thing as being overhydrated, which is when your water intake is excessive compared to your current sodium amounts. Overhydration can hinder cognitive function and cause cramping, nausea, and other discomforts. Thus, a balance must be met for achieving appropriate hydration. Outside magazine reports that, “…marathoners need to find a smart middle ground. You don’t want to drink too little, and you definitely don’t want to drink too much. There’s the challenge we all face,” verifies Outside magazine. 

Quick Hydration Tips for a Marathon

Our clinic’s approach to wellness may include designing a treatment plan that caters to your hydration needs and health concerns (i.e. nutritional deficiency, immune function, etc.) We may recommend other ways to support your nutrition and detoxification processes, too, such as oral supplementation and lifestyle modifications. Nevertheless, keep these tips in mind to improve your water intake: 

• • Listen to your body while training: In a previous post, we recommended tracking how your body responds to fluid loss. Do you get headaches when you get thirsty? Do your energy levels drop? Identifying these signs can influence you to hydrate regularly to prevent these discomforts. 

• • Strap on a filled water bottle as you run: It’s been suggested that you should drink 7-10 fluid oz. of water during a race (every 10-20 minutes). If this applies to you, keep a water bottle on you for on-the-go hydration. (Strap-on bottles can be purchased at sporting goods stores.)
  • Get an IV therapy drip for post-workout recovery: IV therapy drips are not reserved for emergencies – they can also support muscle recovery after a heart-pumping run. These sessions may rapidly replenish H20, which may promote a faster recovery from an enduring run. IV treatments connect a nutritional drip to your vein, allowing fluids to immediately enter the blood stream; this provides a full absorption of nutrients without using the digestive tract. A post-exercise amino acid drip can be blended with therapeutic doses that may match your uniqueness. Note that IV nutrient therapy is not just a tool for optimal hydration; it can also help with constructing proteins to prevent chronic inflammation and tissue damage. 

If you’re training with friends, forward them this article so that they stay hydrated, too! Read below on how to contact us for a drip session – let’s nourish your body with nutrients, such as alpha lipoic acid, glutathione, ascorbic acid, NAD, a medley of amino acids, and more. 

Suggested Reading: What Are Ultra-processed Foods? A Toronto IV Therapy Info Sheet

Book Your Vitamin IV Drip for Optimal Hydration

Health concerns, including chronic dehydration, can manifest differently between people – after all, we all have dissimilar genes, lifestyles, chemical exposures, and such. Having a health strategy custom-made for your health goals may promote healthier energy levels, cellular functioning, and other potential beneficial effects. 

Our functional medicine healthcare provider modifies treatment plans for biological needs, such as alleviating brain fog or improving the appearance of skin. Our clinicians offer a range of treatment modalities, from allopathic and naturopathic medicine to holistic nutrition and psychotherapy. Lab tests may be advised to scrutinize hormonal imbalances, mineral deficiencies, oxidative stress, chemical overloads, and more. These results are used to adapt your TFMC therapies, which includes customizing doses of nutrients for intravenous therapy. 

When IV therapy is combined with functional medicine programs and a healthy quality of life, it can enhance your wellness. Our IV Lounge in Toronto is designed for you to relax with a rapid absorption of nutrients; sessions are supervised by our team of registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and a naturopathic doctor. IV vitamin therapy drips are blended in-house, and do not contain preservatives. 

Preparing for a marathon consists of detailed preparations. Booking a hydration IV can potentially aid in the reduction of physical fatigue and soreness, while supporting mental clarity. 

Let’s help you get ready for the finish line! Book your initial visit for IV therapy at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre to maximize your hydration. Get a head-start by sending us a message – click here to begin, it’s that easy!  

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

Arroyo-Cerezo A, Cerrillo I, Ortega Á, Fernández-Pachón MS. Intake of branched chain amino acids favors post-exercise muscle recovery and may improve muscle function: optimal dosage regimens and consumption conditions. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2021 Nov;61(11):1478-1489. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.11843-2. Epub 2021 Feb 15. PMID: 33586928.

Casa DJ, Armstrong LE, Hillman SK, et al. National athletic trainers’ association position statement: fluid replacement for athletes. J Athl Train. 2000;35(2):212–224.

“Dehydration: How to spot the symptoms” for Runner’s World, by Rachel Boswell and Kim Pearson, updated December 29, 2023, viewed on June 4, 2024. 

Rondon H, Badireddy M. Hyponatremia. [Updated 2023 Jun 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470386/

“Running and hydration: Everything you need to know” for Runner’s World, by Jenny Bozon, updated November 24, 2023, viewed on June 5, 2024. 

“The Latest, Best, and Most Scientific Hydration Strategies for Runners” from Outside magazine, by Amby Burfoot, updated January 19, 2022, viewed on June 5, 2024. 

Wingo, J. E., Richardson, M. T., Leeper, J. D., Neggers, Y. H., & Bishop, P. A. (2011). Half-Marathon and Full-Marathon Runners’ Hydration Practices and Perceptions. Journal of Athletic Training, 46(6), 581-591. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-46.6.581