Intravenous (IV) nutrient therapy is a type of treatment that supplies vitamins and nutrients to the body through liquid from an IV line directly into the bloodstream. It can be a valuable tool for starting recovery from a stressful period or ongoing fatigue, or to assist with specific medical conditions.
Evidence has shown that suboptimal levels of vitamins, even well above those causing deficiency syndromes, are risk factors for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. Bruins et al. revealed that inadequate intake of nutrients is common in older adults and that this can represent a risk for the development of chronic diseases during aging.
For mast cell activated patients, Vitamin C is considered first-line therapy, along with pharmaceuticals.
Multi-dimensional approaches are essential in the management of chronic conditions, and nutritional interventions are critical and central to these strategies. The evidence base for the clinical effects of vitamins is increasing rapidly, and there is a role for vitamins and bioactive compounds in chronic disease management.
At Markham Integrative Medicine, we provide pharmacy-grade nutrients via customized, patient-specific protocols. We start by taking a detailed medical history, analyzing basic blood work and specialty tests, and ensuring diet and other recommendations have been implemented. There are some circumstances where medications, diet change, and oral supplements may not be enough, so the patient and the doctor will discuss the potential benefits of an intravenous infusion of nutrients.
Who Can IV Therapy Benefit?
The following circumstances might lead to a discussion about the benefits of intravenous nutrient therapy:
1) A period of acute or chronic stress, leading a patient to feel “empty” and with debilitating fatigue.
2) An acute illness requiring micronutrients to assist recovery.
3) A patient with a digestive disturbance that disallows adequate absorption of nutrients from food or oral supplements.
4) A diagnosis of cancer, where the patient requires nutrient support or alternative cancer therapy, as an adjunct to conventional cancer care. This is a selective process based on understanding the patient’s total cancer care and oncology recommendations.
5) A diagnosis of heart disease, where again a selection process is undertaken to determine if intravenous nutrients, as part of chelation therapy, are the correct fit for a given patient.
6) After dental amalgam removal, preferably within 6 hours, a nutrient drip that includes Vitamin C and minerals can be used to safeguard the tissues against the damaging effects of released mercury.
Each of these possibilities requires a thorough understanding of the patient, pre-treatment lab testing, and appropriate consent in an office consultation with Dr. Gannage. If you think you might benefit, the office staff is standing by to schedule an appointment for you. Our clinic is located in Markham, Ontario, and serves the Greater Toronto Area. Request your appointment here.
**Of note: Dr. Gannage was instrumental in the completion of the Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy, considered a landmark study in its field. After offering this therapy in his practice for 8 years prior, his participation in the study was based on his interest in understanding the role of chelation therapy for heart disease patients. The study’s results added to the weight of evidence, and this nutrient-based IV treatment has been offered in his clinic since 1999, alongside other protocols.
