Vitamin Infusions
By: Gwyn Bevel
Updated: January 23, 2013
You pop them for a healthy boost, but would you take your dose of vitamins like this?
Beth Dail, vitamin infusion patient said, "I haven't had a cold. I haven't had strep. I haven't had anything wrong with me."
Beth started IV vitamin infusions to combat the fatigue of lyme's disease. Now, she's hooked. "I think it's beneficial for everybody," said Beth.
Chiropractic Doctor Craig John says you only absorb 15 to 20-percent of oral vitamins. But with infusions, Dr. John says, "When they're going straight IV, intravenously, you get 100% absorption."
He says the infusions can boost energy, strengthen the immune system, protect against disease, and speed up muscle repair. Each vitamin cocktail is personalized for the patient and runs about 150 dollars.
Most are made up of vitamin c, calcium, potassium, magnesium and other trace minerals. But some like Doctor David Riseberg say the infusions are unnecessary.
"I think that if you eat a healthy diet, you can get all the vitamins you need. Intravenous vitamins for a healthy person to me, seems like a waste of money," Dr. Riseberg said.
There are also risks. With any IV treatment, bruising, infection and vein inflammation can occur; and there's a chance the wrong dose of nutrient could be infused.
Still, beth says the infusions have given her energy she didn't have.
"Friends and family have just been like what are you doing, you look better," Beth said.
A healthy boost or an unnecessary stick? It's a trend that more and more are willing to give a try.
Vitamin infusions are offered at many alternative health and wellness centers. They are also being used to help conditions like cancer, asthma, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and hepatitis.
