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NUTRITIONAL INTRAVENOUS THERAPY FAQ
Nutritional Therapy Introduction
The latest advances in the basic science of diseases are shedding new light on the origin of dysfunction
starting INSIDE the cell, rather than at the organ level where most people are used to looking for causes.
Thousands of chemical reactions happening inside the cell must work together, just as many
instruments are necessary to produce the great music of a symphony. And, just as a band may be able to
produce the melody and a little rhythm if all the players don’t show up, your cells may limp along with
some pieces missing, but symptoms will begin to be apparent at the organ level when several reactions
go awry. And these myriad chemical reactions (the sum total of which constitutes metabolism) are all
dependent of various co-factors, most of which are familiar to us as “vitamins and minerals”. Others,
such as glutathione are among the body’s most powerful antioxidants and detoxifiers, while still others
such as NADH are intimately involved in the production of energy in the intracellular powerhouse known
as the mitochondrion.
At Whole Health Solutions, we place a great deal of emphasis on condition-specific nutrition because
this can influence more disease factors than almost any other therapy. Not only must a person eat the
foods necessary for their particular condition, but the body must be able to absorb these from the
intestinal tract, and get the nutrients into the cell. Our diagnostic and treatment recommendations are
based upon assessing and correcting these links in the production of health. While it may be obvious
that someone who a poor diet, food sensitivities or poor gut function would have problems absorbing
adequate and condition-specific nutrients, sometimes the diagnosis itself is the clue to inadequate
intracellular biochemistry. For instance, conditions as seemingly diverse as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue,
“brain fog”, chronic infections and autoimmune disorders share the common denominator of
dysfunctional intracellular nutrition. Therefore, these and certain other conditions may benefit from
targeted nutrient therapies.
Oral supplementation is limited in the dose received by the cells because of the technical aspects of how
the body absorbs different nutrients. For instance, vitamin C and magnesium have limited absorption
because they can cause diarrhea in very high amounts. For this reason, certain conditions, such as those
mentioned above can be greatly improved by intravenous delivery of the nutrients. This guarantees
that nutrients such as vitamins (B complex, & C), minerals (i.e. magnesium & calcium), amino acids (i.e.
tyrosine), and mitochondrial co-factors (i.e. NADH, D-ribose, and acetyl-l-carnitine) are delivered directly
to the blood stream, bypassing gut absorption issues. It also delivers doses much higher than are
possible via oral absorption. These higher doses often have different physiologic effects, for instance,
greater immune enhancement, or more effective detoxification.
Only a trained physician can determine if IV nutrient therapy would benefit your condition. The
following FAQ help you understand more about the therapy.
What is the therapeutic basis of nutritional IVs used at Whole Health Solutions?
Some individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue/immune deficiency syndrome,
autoimmune or other chronic conditions, such as chronic infections, or post therapeutic treatments such
NUTRITIONAL INTRAVENOUS THERAPY FAQ
as chemotherapy suffer unrelenting fatigue, pain and/or cognitive dysfunction. Often these symptoms
can result from nutritional deficiencies. These deficiencies may result from many causes including poor
diet, increased needs because of illness, or infections in the gastrointestinal tract that can lead to dietary
intolerance and poor absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. When nutrients and medication that
reduce pain and inflammation are given intravenously, the digestive system is bypassed and a much
higher level of nutrition, analgesia, and anti-inflammatory medications can be delivered directly to the
cells via the bloodstream. Intravenous administration of nutrients, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory
agents can achieve serum concentrations not obtainable with oral, or even intramuscular (IM)
administration.
What are the components of the IVs and what are their functions?
These intravenous solutions include essential vitamins and minerals like magnesium, calcium, ascorbic
acid (vitamin C), methylcobalamin (vitamin B12), thiamin, riboflavin, niacinamide, dexpanthanol (vitamin
B5), pyroxidine (vitamin B6).These vitamins and minerals are essential components of human cells and
often function as co-factors for enzymes necessary for building new tissues, detoxification, or immune
function. Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH), and D-ribose function to assist
the mitochondria (intracellular “powerhouses” which help to convert food to energy). Tyrosine is an
amino acid necessary for building neurotransmitters. Glutathione is one of the most powerful
antioxidants in the body, and is essential for removing wastes and toxins.
These components facilitate nutrition and healing on a cellular level while the additional component of
lidocaine offers pain-relieving benefits. For instance, Acetyl-L-Carnitine may enhance cellular energy in
the brain to improve mental performance, aid in energy production, and decrease symptoms of
depression. Methy1cobalamin (vitamin B12) is essential for many critical functions including:
metabolism, iron absorption, formation of new cells, and reduction in body fatigue. Methy1cobalamin
works most efficiently crossing into the cells of the brain. NADH acts in the formation of ATP, stimulating
energy production at the cellular level. Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) can enhance cognitive ability by
supporting neurotransmitters in the brain. Vinpocetine can enhance cognitive ability and protect
neurons in the brain. D-ribose facilitates energy production at the cellular level. Piracetam is thought to
facilitate learning and memory. Tyrosine can enhance cognitive ability and has anti-depressant effects.
Tyrosine is a precursor to many neurotransmitters in the brain. Ginkgo Biloba can improve short term
memory by increasing blood flow to the brain.
What symptoms can nutritional IVs benefit?
Through the administration of an intravenous solution that includes essential vitamins, minerals, energy
co-factors and pain medications, an individual may experience marked improvement in the energy
capacity and function of cells as well as a significant reduction in muscle pain and stiffness. It has been
observed that some patients who receive a series of IV infusions for fatigue and pain become
progressively healthier exhibiting reductions in painful symptoms and increased ability to perform daily
activities. Immune function is improved enhancing ability to recover from infections. At the early stages
of treatment, high-dose nutrient therapy can afford the patient with time and/or “gut rest” to allow
improvement in nutritional absorption as the gut heals and intracellular function improves. In these
NUTRITIONAL INTRAVENOUS THERAPY FAQ
patients, the interval between treatments can be gradually increased, and eventually the infusions are
no longer necessary.
Why has my doctor recommended nutritional IVs in addition to proper diet and oral
supplementation?
Many people suffer from undiagnosed nutritional deficiencies. These may result from many causes
including: poor diet, increased needs because of illness, medications that interfere with absorption of
nutrients, infections in the gastrointestinal tract, or food intolerance causing gut inflammation and poor
absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. By bypassing the gut, essential nutrients can be delivered
intravenously in high concentration directly to the tissues where they are utilized. This can rapidly start
the healing process while additional therapies work on other aspects of the illness. The use of this
therapy as it relates to your fatigue or pain is considered an alternative treatment and has not been
evaluated by the FDA for use in this condition. While symptoms may improve, it is not offered as a cure
for disease.
What are the risks of nutritional IVs?
Discomfort at the infusion site or in the arm where the solution is infused may occur. Transient
dizziness, headache, nausea, or vomiting are less frequent, but may occur. Fluid overload or electrolyte
imbalances rarely occur, especially in individuals with renal impairment. As with any intravenous
therapy, the risks of venous infiltration and or cellulitis at or near the infusion site exist. Although the
risk of kidney stones from Vitamin C has been raised, this has not been proven. IV Lidocaine could
trigger life threatening abnormal heart rhythms and can cause life threatening allergic reactions just as
penicillin could. All potential complications are very rare.
How often is it necessary to receive an IV treatment?
This depends on the condition. Initially, it is often recommended to receive weekly treatments for four
to eight weeks. Treatment may be sufficient at this point and can therefore be stopped, or occasionally
reduced in frequency to every two to four weeks. Sometimes treatment can be beneficial on an asneeded basis to assist healing from surgery, serious infections or other major physiologic stressors.
How are the nutritional IVs at Whole Health Solutions different from Vitamin C IVs or “Myer’s
Cocktail”?
Whole Health Solutions offers Ultra High Dose Vitamin C IVs and Myer’s Cocktail. Vitamin C IVs are used
for many purposes and contain only high doses of this one vitamin. Myer’s Cocktail contains additional B
vitamins and trace minerals such as selenium and zinc. These can benefit general nutritional
deficiencies. The other nutritional IVs utilized at Whole Health Solutions have specifically been studied
to benefit people with certain chronic pain and fatigue conditions. They contain additional ingredients
described above for more specific therapeutic impact.
What is the cost of the different IVs? Will insurance cover this cost?
The following price list includes all of the components, administration and monitoring by a registered
nurse. Some of the medications may be obtained through Walgreens pharmacy and may be covered by
NUTRITIONAL INTRAVENOUS THERAPY FAQ
your insurance.Whole Health Solutions accepts cash, checks and credit cards to pay for these services.
We will provide you with an itemized statement that can be submitted for possible insurance
reimbursement. Please check with your individual insurance policy to find out what may be covered as
an out-of-network service.
2016 IV Price List:
Energy IV……………………………………………….….……...$225
Viral IV……………………………………….…….….….…….….$275
Myer’s Cocktail……………………………….……….………...$100
Myer’s Cocktail + High Dose Vitamin C 50 ml….…..$200
Ultra High Dose Vitamin C IV 100 ml…………………….$215
IV Glutathione only……………..……………………………….$100
How can I obtain Myer’s Cocktail IV medications through Walgreens Pharmacy with insurance
reimbursement?
Most of the ingredients for a Myer’s Cocktail IV are obtainable through the Walgreens Pharmacy in Brier
Creek near the Research Triangle. 11801 VOGEL ST. Raleigh,NC 27617. 919–544–1387. We will fax a
prescription to the pharmacy for you. You then contact the pharmacy to give them your insurance
information and to determine when it is ready for pick-up. Present your insurance information for
processing at pick-up. Highlights of the process:
 The prescription gives you ten doses for up to ten weekly IVs.
 Most of the medications have long expirations so it is OK if you need to miss a week or two to
reschedule. Some medications may expire after five weeks and need to be picked up as refills
for the second five weeks.
 You will be required to store the medication in a refrigerator and bring it to your first IV
treatment cold. Please plan for this, especially in the summertime, by using a cooler if you are
not coming directly from home.
 After the first IV, we will store the medications for you at our office. Best results are obtained by
getting IVs every 1-2 weeks. We request that you give us one week notice for every IV you wish
to schedule. Other than for emergencies, we request at least one-whole business day notice of
cancellation.
 Plan to be at the clinic for up to 90 minutes for administration. Most IVs are much quicker than
this but occasionally some people prefer to rest for a few minutes before driving. Side effects
are rare (see IV consent form).
 We recommend exercise the day of the IV BEFORE the IV but NOT AFTER.
 We recommend NO alcohol the day of the IV before or after.
 You should eat normally before the IV. Do not skip meals on IV days.
 You may take all regular medications as normally scheduled before and after IVs.