Understanding the Difference Between IV Vitamins and Oral Supplements

Most people think of getting an IV infusion in a medical setting, such as in the emergency room or hospital. However, IV vitamins and hydration services have become more mainstream in recent years. They can be a proactive, preventative and alternative option to maintain your everyday health.

Infusions offer a variety of vitamins and minerals administered by a registered nurse in a more casual environment such as your home, office or an IV shop. These infusions supply fluids and micronutrients to your bloodstream to help keep your body well-hydrated and your cells optimally supported.

People usually get an IV to alleviate dehydration, whether it’s caused by illness, medications, intense athletic activity, or extensive heat exposure. IVs are also sought out by people who are seeking symptom relief from a temporary illness or a chronic medical condition, such as migraines, autoimmune conditions, nausea and vomiting, and colds or the flu.

However, IVs are also a great option to maintain your health, longevity, energy and immunity — you can regularly book infusions for wellness support and everyday vitality.

So, what’s the difference between IV vitamins and taking oral supplements? It comes down to absorption rates. The higher the absorption rate, the more your body gets out of the vitamins or minerals. It is believed that absorption rates for oral supplements are surprisingly low—anywhere between 10% and 50%.

There are a couple of reasons for this:

Oral supplements lose potency as they travel through the digestive tract.·

Your gut may not be as healthy as it was when you were 10, making it difficult to absorb the micronutrients you take orally.

Supplements may have been manufactured with fillers to help the ingredients bind together, which offers no nutritional benefits.

A person’s age, genetics, medications and medical disorders may prevent proper metabolization.

The absorption rate for intravenous vitamins and hydration is closer to 100%, so the vitamins are quickly available for your cells. The IV fluids bypass the digestive tract, making them available to work quicker, which means you can feel better faster than if you swallow a pill or tablet.

What can you expect when getting an IV vitamin infusion?

When you schedule an appointment for a mobile infusion or IV at a shop, you will be greeted by a registered nurse with experience in IV therapy, who will ask you to provide a brief health history, including the medications or supplements you are taking. The RN will check your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation and discuss your health goals and reasons for seeking an infusion. Some examples may include easing a headache, muscle pain, illness, stress-related tension, managing low energy or improving your overall wellness. An IV infusion may take around 45 to 60 minutes to complete. And you can read, chat, watch tv, or work while the drip bag is being infused. The RN will get your catheter inserted and connected to the IV bag of fluids while you sit back and relax. The fluids and micronutrients flow through the IV line and enter the bloodstream, so the IV ingredients are absorbed into the body right away. This means you may feel the effects of treatment fairly quickly.

When scheduling a mobile IV, there’s essentially no downtime, as the RN comes to you. It is the ultimate in convenience; we call it double productivity. While you continue your day’s activities, you receive amazing vitamin benefits to boost your energy, mood, immune system and productivity.

The cost of an IV treatment varies based on the type of infusion and vitamins added. This can include B complex, vitamin C, zinc, glutathione, magnesium, anti-nausea medication, anti-inflammatories, and/or B12.

Options for payment include cash, check, credit card, debit card, flexible spending accounts (FSA), or health savings accounts (HSA).

Maintaining optimal health often involves supplementing your daily diet with vitamins and minerals that strengthen your body and promote a vibrant sense of wellbeing. Intravenous vitamins and hydration are a safe, effective and convenient way to feel better fast and a way to support your body’s best functioning overall state QCBN.

 By Anita Farrelly

Anita Farrelly, RN, BSN, MBA/HCM, and Jessica Dickinson, RN, BSN are the owners of Aboost Wellness.