Scrolling through your feed you may have come across people getting IV drips, stating that they potentially boost their immune system or prevent the flu. It also seems pretty convenient – a quick infusion promising to strengthen your defences against the new bacteria that ails people. But what exactly are these immune support IV drips, and do they actually work as intended? Let’s break down what IV therapy for immune support involves, what the science says, and whether it might be worth considering for your health.
What are immune support IV drips?
When it comes to immune support, an IV drip delivers essential nutrients directly into your bloodstream through an intravenous line. Specifically, these drips contain a mix of vitamin C, vitamin B complex, zinc, and glutathione – all of which are well known for their role in supporting the immune function. Not to mention, unlike oral supplements that must pass through your digestive system IV therapy bypasses this process entirely, allowing nutrients to reach your cells more quickly and efficiently.
The treatment itself usually takes no more than 30 to 60 minutes, during which you’ll sit comfortably while the solution drips into your vein. Many people describe feeling more energised or refreshed afterwards, though the timeline and intensity of effects are said to vary from person to person.
What are the ingredients used for immune support IV drips?
To know where all the claims surrounding this therapy come from, you need to understand what’s actually in these drips. Let’s examine the most common ingredients and their roles in your body.
Vitamin C is perhaps the most famous immune-supporting nutrient of the bunch, which helps stimulate the production of white blood cells, essential for fighting off infections. Administered intravenously, it can achieve blood concentrations far higher than those achieved through oral supplementation, which research suggests can help reduce the duration and severity of respiratory infections.
There’s also the vitamin B complex, particularly B6, B9, and B12, all of which play key roles in the production and function of our immune cells. This group is also involved in your body’s energy metabolism, which is part of the reason why many people report feeling less fatigued after receiving infusions with these vitamins.
The next one on the list is zinc, which is of massive importance for proper immune functioning. It helps in the development of immune cells, and a deficiency in zinc can impair our body’s ability to ward off infections. With an IV drip, you ensure that zinc reaches your bloodstream to support your immunity, without all the digestive issues that can sometimes occur with oral zinc supplements.
Lastly, there is glutathione, better known as the body’s master antioxidant. It helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and supports the immune system by maintaining the proper function of our white blood cells. While your body produces glutathione naturally, its production tends to decline with age, illness, or stress. With IV therapy, you can give your body an extra boost thanks to higher glutathione levels.
What are the benefits of using immune support IV drips?
With all these ingredients out of the way, what is it that you actually gain from an immune support IV drip? Well, there are several great benefits to consider here.
First, these drips are known to strengthen your overall immune resilience. When your body has optimal levels of immune-supporting nutrients, it will be better equipped to respond to threats. While it doesn’t mean that you’ll never get sick, your immune system will be more than ready to respond more effectively to the challenge. There are a few studies which also suggest that high-dose vitamin C, delivered intravenously or otherwise, can help reduce the severity and duration of colds and other illnesses.
Many people also say that immune support IV drips help them maintain their energy levels and in their recovery from fatigue. When you consider that many of the ingredients, particularly B vitamins, are involved in energy production at the cellular level, things add up here.
People with autoimmune conditions are also known to struggle with frequent infections due to their compromised immune systems or as a result of their medications. For them, immune support IV therapy can be a potential life-saver, providing an additional layer of protection when they need it the most.
Athletes and people with very active lifestyles may also see a ton of benefit from taking this therapy. Intense physical activity is known to suppress our immune system, making even a healthy person more susceptible to infections. To that end, regular IV drips might help support recovery and maintain immune health during heavy training periods.
Lastly, this therapy is also worth considering if you have malabsorption issues. Conditions like Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease can prevent your body from properly absorbing nutrients from food and oral supplements. IV delivery bypasses the digestive system entirely, ensuring you actually get the nutrients you need.
But while immune support IV drips can be beneficial to nearly everyone, it’s essential to have realistic expectations about what they can do for your body. What these drips actually do is ensure your body has the nutritional building blocks it needs to maintain healthy immune function.
They are also not a substitute for the fundamentals of good health. Getting adequate sleep, managing stress, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and staying hydrated will still be needed to maintain your immune health. IV therapy should be seen as the best potential complementary tool to these lifestyle factors, not a replacement for them.
Suppose you’re experiencing persistent symptoms, such as frequent infections, extreme fatigue, or other signs that your immune system might be struggling. In that case, it’s best to seek medical advice rather than self-treating with IV drips. There could be underlying health issues that need proper diagnosis and treatment.
Why should you choose a doctor-led clinic
If you’re enticed to give IV therapy a try, here’s something critical to know: not all clinics offering this service are created equal, and this is going to matter enormously when it comes to your safety.
You should always seek IV therapy at a doctor-led clinic, rather than all those beauty salons or wellness spas that have jumped on the IV drip trend without the right measures. Note that a procedure like IV therapy requires proper oversight, adherence to sterile techniques, and the expertise of qualified healthcare professionals who comprehend both the benefits and side effects associated with the treatment.
A reputable clinic will begin with a consultation to understand your health history, current medications, and any specific concerns that you may have. They’ll likely run blood tests to identify any actual deficiencies before recommending treatment, all while creating a personalised plan to ensure that you only receive what your body requires.
Such clinics also have the proper protocols in place to handle any adverse reactions, which, while rare, can occur with any IV therapy. They use pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, maintain a sterile environment, and employ only qualified medical staff for your treatment.
You’ll find that most beauty parlours and drip bars offering these IV drips will lack all of these safeguards. They do not have adequately trained staff, almost always rely on lower-quality ingredients, and may not even check for contraindications that could make IV therapy unsafe for you. Put simply: It’s not worth the risk to save a bit of money or convenience.
Your health is in your hands
In the end, the best way to find success with this therapy lies in approaching it thoughtfully. If you’re interested, remember to start with a qualified healthcare professional who can tell you whether IV therapy makes sense for your specific situation. Then, once you receive the green light, undergo proper testing to identify any actual deficiencies, and always choose a doctor-led clinic that prioritises your safety and wellbeing over quick profits.
Always remember that your immune health should never be left in the hands of guesswork. Whether you go for IV therapy or decide to opt for older approaches to immune support, make sure your decision is based on concrete information, professional guidance, and an honest understanding of your specific needs.
