We all know that we should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to get our daily intake of vitamins but the reality is that this doesn’t always happen. Indeed, many people in the UK are not reaching their Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamins and nutrients. And with IV drip bars popping up all over the UK, you may be wondering if oral supplements are enough or if IV therapy could be a good option for you. In this article, we take a look at IV therapy versus oral supplements and explore which actually works better. 

The science of absorption

Ever wondered how an IV drip works? How supplements are absorbed in the body plays a vital role in their effectiveness. Let’s take a brief look at the differences between oral supplements and IV therapy below:

How oral vitamin supplements work:

• Once you swallow an oral supplement, it travels down the oesophagus and into the stomach where the stomach acid and enzymes dissolves it.
• The supplement then reaches the gut (intestines). To be absorbed by the body, water-soluble vitamin (think vitamins B and C) molecules need to be broken down smaller. This process, called micronisation, breaks down the vitamins and nutrients but it also results in a loss of dosage.
• From here, the molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to the cells and tissues that need them.

How IV therapy works:

• The desired nutrients are mixed with a saline solution in an IV bag.
• IV therapy delivers vitamins and minerals via a cannula (usually via a vein in the elbow). Your IV practitioner will prepare and administer the treatment.
• You’ll spend between 20 and 45 minutes relaxing comfortably whilst the solution enters the bloodstream directly.
• This method bypasses the entire digestive system, meaning that none of the goodness is lost, and the full amount of nutrients are directly delivered into the bloodstream so that the body can utilise where needed. If we’re getting technical, this is referred to as having superior bioavailability when compared to oral supplements.

What are the advantages of an IV infusion over oral supplements?

Now we’ve taken a look at the differences between how IV drips and oral supplements actually work, it’s vital to get an understanding of which is most suitable for you and your lifestyle. Although both have advantages and disadvantages, IV therapy may be preferable for a few different reasons.

Oral supplements can be a useful tool if you don’t have a serious deficiency and can remember to take the tablets daily. However, there are certain disadvantages – for example, they have low bioavailability.  In addition, there are many different factors that can impact absorption rates. This includes chronic health conditions and gut issues which can all negatively impact the amount of nutrients that are absorbed through the gut. With oral supplements, because doses are low, it can take weeks, if not months to build up nutrient levels in the blood. 

The advantages of IV drips over oral supplements are many. IV drips offer immediate bioavailability, doses are considerably higher than what can be achieved with oral supplements. As they bypass the gut, this means that they are not negatively impacted by health conditions such as Crohn’s disease. 

IV therapy makes more sense when:

• You have a severe digestive disorder such as Crohn’s disease, Coeliac disease, or Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) or other malabsorption syndromes. The inflammation caused by these conditions can reduce the amount of nutrients being absorbed through the lining of the gut.
• You struggle to remember to take tablets on a daily basis.
• You have an acute illness with nausea/vomiting and are unable to keep food or supplements down.
• You exercise a lot and/or have a sports event and want support to help yourself recover faster.
• You suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME).
• You have a poor or limited diet.
• You have a very demanding lifestyle that means your body uses up nutrients faster than they can be replenished.
• You have an autoimmune disease.
• You can’t afford to get ill.
• You feel tired all the time.

Choosing a clinic for your IV therapy (and why it matters)

It’s essential to remember that not all IV drips are made equal. What do we mean by this?  There are a few things that can affect the quality (and safety) of your IV drip.

• Whether your drip is a pre-mixed solution or mixed freshly on site by your  practitioner. Pre-mixed drip solutions can oxidise when they are stored, whereas if they are freshly mixed there is no risk of this happening.
• Consider asking your clinic about where they source their ingredients from to ensure only the very highest quality vitamins are being put into your body.
• Ask whether your drip is provided by a medical professional or not. Why is this something you should consider? IV drips are generally a low risk treatment. However, as with any medical procedure there is a risk of something going wrong. Choosing a clinic that is medically-led will ensure that your practitioner is medically qualified to deal with any side effects from your treatment. Although serious side effects are rare, they do happen. It is possible to have an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in your IV drip – even if you have not had a reaction previously. Anaphylactic shock is incredibly serious and needs immediate medical attention. A medically-led clinic will take a holistic approach, considering your overall health and any symptoms you may be having and advise you on the most suitable drip for you and your needs. For peace of mind, we suggest choosing a doctor-led IV drip service.

So, which works better? IV therapy or oral supplements?

IV trips and oral supplements both have their benefits and their drawbacks. But, to put it plainly, oral supplements and IV vitamin therapy can both be an effective part of maintaining a healthy body. It is simply a matter of your preference and your individual needs and making a decision based around what will work best for you. It’s important to take a measured approach to your choice of clinic to ensure your safety.