Intravenous therapy is the most efficient method of boosting your levels of vitamin B12, a nutrient responsible for brain and nervous system health.
Read on to find out more about this essential vitamin, the ways B12 IV therapy can improve your overall well-being, and its advantages compared to other supplementation options.
Vitamin B12 Facts
Vitamin B12, also known as cyanocobalamin, is indispensable for the production of red blood cells and the healthy functioning of the nervous system. This B-complex vitamin plays a crucial role in maintaining many different aspects of your health, including:
- Help metabolize food to promote optimal energy levels
- Help create the chemicals necessary for supporting normal neurological function
- Increase brain performance
- Help maintain your central nervous system
- Improve heart health
- Reduce the risk of anemia
- Decrease anxiety and depression
- Enhance vision
- Improve the health of your hair, skin, and bones
- Boost your energy levels
- Improve general well-being
- Regulate your mood, and
- Support immune health.
What are the sources of vitamin B12?
Because the human body is not capable of producing vitamin B12, this nutrient must come from a balanced diet. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in a wide variety of animal foods, especially liver, beef, salmon, trout, tuna, and clams. Small amounts of the vitamin are also available in eggs, cheese, yogurt, and fortified cereal products. Because vitamin B12 is water-soluble, your body can’t store it and it must be replenished regularly.
The recommended daily amount of vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 mg. If your body doesn’t get enough vitamin B12 over an extended period of time, you are at risk of developing a deficiency. It is estimated that vitamin B12 deficiency affects up to 15 percent of the population in the United States.
What are the causes of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Besides a poor diet, one of the main causes of B12 deficiency is malabsorption of the intestine, which occurs due to various medical conditions or medications that inhibit the body’s natural absorption mechanism. In addition, people who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery may have a reduced ability to naturally absorb this vitamin from food. Vegetarians, vegans, the elderly, individuals who regularly consume alcohol, and people suffering from Crohn’s disease or celiac disease are at a higher risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms
If you are deficient in vitamin B12, you may experience a range of symptoms such as:
- Megaloblastic anemia, a condition where the red blood cells are larger than normal and can’t function properly
- Fatigue and weakness
- Low energy levels
- Heart palpitations
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Constipation
- Soreness of the mouth or tongue
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Depression
- Confusion
- Poor memory
- Dementia.
Given the importance of having sufficient amounts of vitamin B12 in your body, it comes as no surprise that vitamin B12 IV therapy is becoming increasingly popular. So what exactly are the benefits of this treatment?
What Does B12 IV Therapy Do?
IV therapy is one of the most efficient ways of increasing your vitamin B12 levels. When given intravenously, vitamin B12 fluids completely bypass your digestive system. They are delivered directly into the bloodstream, resulting in quick absorption of the nutrient. Your body will use the exact amount of the vitamin it needs and eliminate the rest through the urine for maximum effect and minimal waste.
Reset IV B12 therapy
Reset IV is a concierge service, which means that you don’t need to leave the comfort of your home to enjoy the benefits of the treatment. We can deliver therapy wherever you are, whether it’s your home, your office, a hotel room, or a gym. We will be at your door within an hour of booking, depending on availability.
The Reset IV at-home intravenous therapy is very similar to the one you would get in a hospital setting. A nurse will administer the fluid IV solution through a tube, called a catheter, that is attached to a needle that enters your bloodstream. The nutrients will then be slowly dripped into your bloodstream.
During your session, you are free to relax, read, watch television, or browse on your phone while sitting comfortably on your sofa or bed. After the treatment, the nurse will place a small bandage on the injection site on your arm. There is no required downtime after the therapy and you can immediately return to your daily activities.
Because vitamin B12 is vital to optimal health, it is the base of most of our IV formulas. But what are the benefits of intravenous therapy compared to other supplementation methods?
What Is the Difference Between B12 IV Therapy and B12 Injections?
There are three different ways to supplement your vitamin B12 intake:
- B12 oral supplements
- B12 IV infusion, and
- B12 injections.
If you suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency, you will definitely benefit from any of these methods. However, injections and infusions are by far the most effective options as ingredients are delivered directly into the bloodstream for a 100% absorption rate. In fact, you can get up to 10 times more vitamins in one injection or IV treatment than you could get from a daily dose of an oral supplement. Besides, unlike store-bought oral supplements, IV drips and injections contain no preservatives, parabens, or artificial and toxic ingredients.
The main difference between B12 injections and infusions lies in the vitamin absorption rate. An intramuscular injection is absorbed over a longer period of time and can last for up to one month with slow release into the blood. In contrast, an IV treatment immediately provides you with the necessary dose of the nutrient. You will feel benefits much faster, although they will be shorter lived.
In addition to fast absorption, B12 IV treatments have several added benefits:
Hydrate
The normal saline base of our IV solutions replenishes the fluids necessary for normal body functioning, providing immediate hydration.
Detoxify
IV therapy helps detoxify your body by flushing out the free radicals and heavy metals that can contribute to cellular damage.
Energize
An advantage of IV therapy is that it can be easily customized depending on your individual needs. Reset IV therapy offers a wide range of add-ons that will allow you to enjoy additional benefits such as increased energy, mental clarity, improved cognitive function, and overall well-being.
How Quickly Does B12 IV Work?
Since the intravenous infusion allows nutrients to be injected directly into the bloodstream, you will start feeling a positive effect on your body soon after the IV therapy session. In most cases, our customers notice an improvement within less than 24 hours of treatment.
How Long Does B12 IV Last?
The effect of B12 IV therapy varies from individual to individual. The more depleted of vitamin B12 you are, the faster your body will use up the infused nutrients. Usually, you can expect to feel the beneficial effects of the B12 drip for one week.
How Often Should You Get B12 IV Therapy?
The frequency of sessions needed for maximum benefit will depend on your preferences and a personal treatment plan devised by our clinical staff. More severe deficiencies will require more sessions than less serious ones. The first B12 IV drip can take up to 90 minutes, while following treatments usually last for 45-60 minutes and can be given weekly.
Because there are no major risks involved in intravenous therapy with vitamin B12, you can rest reassured that your treatment will be perfectly harmless.
Are There Any Side Effects of B12 IV Therapy?
B12 IV therapy is generally safe if maximum dose recommendations of the vitamin are not exceeded. Very high doses of vitamin B12 may cause mild symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Fatigue or weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Tingling sensation in hands and feet.
You may also notice a slight pink or orange tint to your urine for a couple of days after your IV treatment. This is perfectly normal and the color comes from red crystalline structures that naturally occur in vitamin B12.
How safe is IV therapy?
To ensure the safety of your B12 IV therapy, the Reset IV physicians and nurse practitioners will provide a free medical consultation and approve your treatment. During the initial consultation, the medical staff will go over your health history to determine if there are any contraindications and offer recommendations based on your specific needs. It is essential to let us know if you have allergies to food, medication, or any drip ingredients before receiving an IV treatment.
You should keep in mind that, as is the case with any type of infusion, IV procedures are never completely risk-free. In rare cases, complications such as vein inflammations and infections may occur. At Reset IV, our priority is ensuring that you are receiving a treatment that meets the highest safety standards using only top of the line sterile equipment. In addition, our nurses have all the necessary supplies readily accessible and are trained to quickly respond in case an allergic reaction occurs.
IV Therapy Locations
Reset IV has five convenient locations: Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Orange County. So if you are looking for the best IV therapy provider give us a call!