home > services > Nutritionals by Intravenous

What is a Nutritional IV or Myer’s Cocktail?

A nutritional IV or a Myer’s Cocktail is an efficient method of introducing non-caloric nutrients directly into the body through an intravenous infusion. Food consists of material that is combusted or oxidized in the body. This material is the fuel component of food. As in a car, “fuel” in the body is “ignited.” The non-caloric nutrients are vitamins and nutrients which function in the body like spark plugs in a car. By administering these non-caloric nutrients intravenously, we ensure that they feed into the system in a very bio-efficient manner.  They are injected directly into the blood stream, circumventing absorption through the intestinal tract. This is especially beneficial in cases where a person’s system is malfunctioning and food could potentially not be digested and absorbed optimally.

There are vitamins and minerals in food I eat and now I am taking nutritional supplements in pill form. Why do I need intravenous doses and why in such large amounts? Isn’t it dangerous?

Absorption of nutrients which have been orally ingested occurs in the intestinal tract. Suboptimal nutrition over a period of time can result in abnormal body functions, including malabsorption, due to insufficient energy production. What you are ingesting may not be what you are absorbing. Intravenous infusions of nutrients avoids potential malabsorption. After several nutritional IVs, your overall system, including the absorption process in the bowel, should be functioning better. Nutritional IVs also stimulate and strengthen the immune system. Recuperative strategy can then be based on nutrients obtained from food and oral supplementation. The dosage amount may seem large, but really it is not. It is just larger than you need when you are healthy. When you are ill, your health is affected seriously enough that a larger dose of nutrients would be helpful. There is no danger in taking the larger amounts. The nutrients you receive are water soluble and the body excretes in the urine what it does not need.

What can I expect during the administration of the IV?

A nutritional IV consists of being hooked up to an IV bottle with a needle inserted into a vein in the arm and takes 2-3 hours. Patients often pass the time reading, watching TV, sleeping, conversing, etc. You sit in a recliner chair in a room with other people receiving IV therapies. As empty chairs permit, friends or family members may sit in the room with you to keep you company. In the case of a Myer’s Cocktail, the method of administration is an IV push given by the nurse directly into your vein over a period of about 15-30 minutes.

How many infusions do I need? How often?

Most people who are advised to have nutritional infusions have a long standing illness and require more than one. Usually 3 to 6 infusions are recommended, although it ultimately depends on the degree of benefit that you experience. The IVs are administered one to three times per week. There must be at least one day in between administrations.

Is there anything I need to do to prepare for a treatment?

Prior to your treatment, eat a nutritious breakfast, and, depending on the time of your treatment, lunch. Your meal(s) should consist of a protein, carbohydrate and fruit or vegetable. Bring a nutritious snack with you. Snack suggestions include fresh or dried fruit, raw vegetable pieces, raw nuts or seeds, sandwich on whole grain bread, plain yogurt with fruit added, or low fat cheese and whole grain crackers. Do not snack on candy, chips, rice cakes or crackers, soft drinks, coffee, tea, cookies, pastry, fruit juice or fruit drinks, roasted/oiled nuts or seeds, fast foods or fried foods.

What kind of side effects or problems could occur?

Adverse effects of nutritional IVs are very rare. Since a nutritional IV consists primarily of vitamins and minerals, allergic reactions are almost nonexistent. Occasionally, patients may experience some aching-type discomfort or minor stinging above the needle site which the nurse can usually help remedy with a soothing application. Incidental nausea may also occur. To avoid this, it is important not to take a nutritional IV on an empty stomach. Transitional post-IV headaches have been reported by a few patients. Many people feel extremely fatigued after a nutritional IV. Going to bed early results in feeling much better in the morning. Should you experience any of the above or other symptoms, be sure to inform your physician at your follow-up visit with him.

Occasionally, there may be a reappearance or accentuation of already existing symptoms. This healing crisis, which we call “paradox,” is actually an excellent sign that you will obtain significant improvement. The infusion stimulates the body chemistry, you feel the temporary effect, and, ultimately, will experience improved well-being. (For more information, request the Preventive Medicine Group information sheet entitled “Paradox.)