IV Vitamin C Fatigue, Anti-aging and Withdrawal
IVC FACTS: The mechanisms of intravenous Vitamin C are distinct from those of orally administered vitamin C.
Maximum oral doses usually hover around 5 grams.
Just for context, in our clinic, the lowest dose of Vitamin C we administer is 5 grams intravenously.
With regards to high dose IV Vitamin C, it can increase serum levels more than 100-fold: up to 30 mM
Vitamin C is a well known anti-oxidant however high dose Intravenous Vitamin C is thought to stimulate production of oxidative species.
These products are associated with IV Vitamin C's antitumor and chemosensitizing effects.
Vitamin C is necessary for neutrophil function and can stimulate the production of interferon and other anti-viral cytokines as well as direct antiviral properties such as hindering viral replication and protein assembly.
Suspensions of herpes simplex viruses (types 1 and 2), cytomegalovirus, and parainfluenza virus type 2 were inactivated upon exposure to sodium ascorbate.
Our Experience: For most infections, our Naturopathic doctors use doses between 5 and 30 grams of Vitamin C.
For cancers, we aim for doses between 25 and 100 grams.
IV Vitamin C is extremely well tolerated even with aggressive dosing.
For most conditions, IVC is given 1-2x weekly with infusions usually taking between 1 and 3 hours.
See - Fritz 2014 and Chen 2015 for more information on IV Vitamin C and Cancer
See - Mikirova 2015 for more information on Vitamin C and Viral infection
NAD FACTS: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is required for over 500 enzymatic reactions in the body
"NAD+” and “NADH” refer to the oxidized and reduced forms respectively.
With regards to longevity, the "sirtuins" a family of NAD+-dependent protein deacylases.
The average person has 3 grams of NAD in their body!
Orally, NR (nicotinamide riboside) and NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) are NAD precursors.
NAD+ levels decline with age and raising levels back up has shown benefits in a range of organisms.
Raising NAD+ levels in mice has shown to extend lifespan in various models.
NAD+ is involved at various points of the Krebs Cycle for energy production.
Because of its role in the Krebs Cycle - IV NAD is thought to synergize with Hyperbaric Oxygen.
Our Experience: Because of NAD's roles in the Krebs Cycle, we've seen it profoundly improve fatigue in some patients after intravenous administration.
NAD infusions appear to impact cognitive clarity and mood in some patients.
IV NAD dosed between 250-500mg with an administration time of 1-2 hours is a common dose strategy.
IV NAD is well known to be used for substance withdrawal (stimulants, opiates and alcohol)
NAD when an IV is given too rapidly can produce profound nausea.
Intravenous NAD+ has given a profound energy boost in some of our most elusive cases.
IV NADH is also an option we work with for fatigue, as it has been studied in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

MYERS FACTS: The Myers is a very simple, yet extremely versatile infusion.
The Myers contains B-Vitamins, Magnesium, Calcium and Vitamin C.
The Myers is best given as a short length, small volume IV drip or "push"
Originally, it was used for: Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Depression & Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
We expect additive action between administration of the Myers IV Therapy and Hyperbaric treatment
The addition of the Myers to a NAD+ IV can result in enhanced action of NAD+.
Our Experience: We've seen it profoundly improve fatigue and mood in many patients.
Frequently given 1x weekly for 3-4 weeks to build up cellular and blood levels.
Higher infusion rapidity and concentration can result in enhanced effects.
Additives such as selenium, zinc, taurine & adenosylcobalamin are frequently used.
Occasionally, the addition of intramuscular B12 can prolong infusion benefits.
Top IV Therapy Ingredients
B1 - Thiamine! Is involved in the first step of energy production (make acetyl-CoA from pyruvate) which is why it's a crucial part of our IV Vitamin Therapies.
Thiamine absorption is decreased by alcohol which makes it an important part of Banana Bag IVs especially when administered to those that have been drinking.
Although severe thiamine deficiency can cause brain damage, mild thiamine deficiency can result in fatigue and difficulty concentrating and poor memory.
That's why Thiamine has been studied in post infectious fatigue and exercise induced fatigue.
Our Naturopaths usually add 200-400mg of Thiamine to our Energy oriented IVs.
We also add B1 to B12 shots for various conditions for an added kick (sciatica, post-herpetic neuralgia, and others).
Thiamine is a crucial ingredient in our IV Vitamin Therapies.
B2 - Riboflavin! The precursor to Krebs cycle FAD (it's the coenzyme form) so it's also intimately involved in energy production which is why our Naturopathic doctors add additional Riboflavin to our Vitamin IVs which was a lacking component of the classic Myers Cocktail IV.
Riboflavin is what gives a B-Complex it's characteristic yellow color (and causes the yellow urine after having B Vitamins!)
Our Naturopaths use the form Riboflavin-5-Phosphate (biologically active form of B2) in our IV drips.
Because of Riboflavin's role in energy production it's used at our Naturopath clinic as part of migraine prevention protocols and of course is added to our migraine oriented IVs for this reason!
B3 - B3 occurs naturally in 2 forms: niacin (nicotinic acid) and niacinamide (nicotinamide).
We use Niacinamide primarily at our Naturopath clinic primarily because it's the principal form used in IV Vitamin Therapy and it's far better tolerated orally than niacin.
Our Naturopaths love B3 because it is a precursor to NAD+ - nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.
NAD+ plays a role in the the Krebs cycle and in the electron-transport chain as NADH (reduced form).
But we also love giving pure NAD+ IV - we've seen it give an awesome energy boost in our Edmonton clients!
NAD+ aside, by inhibiting the enzyme, tryptophan pyrrolase (which breaks down tryptophan) B3 can increase the amount of tryptophan available to be converted to serotonin and give an awesome mood boost.
B3 is an important part of our mood oriented IV infusions.
B12 - Methylcobalamin and Adenosylcobalamin are the biologically active forms of B12. Our Naturopaths almost exclusively give the Methylcobalamin form of B12 in our IV Vitamin treatments in an extremely concentrated format.
B12 is used to make Succinyl-CoA - part of the Krebs cycle and when converted to Succinate, it's involved in the Electron Transport Chain for even more ATP production.
So, when you get an energy oriented IV at TruMed, our Naturopaths will give you tons of B12 for this reason.
B12 is involved in the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe!) and SAMe is used to make Serotonin and Dopamine (Tyrosine & Tryptophan Hydroxylase).
So our Naturopathic Doctors use a lot of B12 for improving energy and mood as both IV and IM B12 (shots!!).
With current reference ranges for B12, our Naturopaths have seen patients exhibit neuropsychiatric symptoms of B12 deficiency even though their lab values are low-normal.
We usually like to see our patients with B12 levels above 500 ng/ml which is easily achieve with Vitamin IVs or B12 shots.
One proposed optimal range for B12 levels is 500–1300 pg/ml versus using 150pg/ml as the low end in Alberta (lame!)
Since its discovery in 1948, vitamin B12 given by intramuscular injection (IM) "B12 shots" have had a reputation of being a “tonic,” capable of improving fatigue, mood, and overall well-being in certain people who are not necessarily deficient in the vitamin!
Our Naturopaths can give extremely high dose B12 shots at our Edmonton clinic.
B12 shots are a quick and cheap solution to improving energy, focus and mood.
For some patients we give B12 shot syringes to take home so that they or their partner can administer the treatment.
Effective vitamin B12 therapy often consists of a 5000 μg (micrograms or 5mg) shot once a week for 4 weeks, then once monthly.
In many patients, supplementation with vitamin B12 orally (sublingual B12) in doses of 1000-5000 μg/day may control symptoms and and prolong the time between injections.
B12 orally is usually insufficient for producing a robust effect but can easily prolong the effect of an injection.
B12 given IV can allow our Naturopaths to give doses that are much higher than what's achievable with a B12 shot.
We can give IV doses between 5 to 25mg easily or up to 50mg with more concentrated B12 formulations.


Cosmetics
Our IV Therapy for cosmetics is Glutathione and Vitamin C based
Two IV bags are used: One with vitamin C and another with Glutathione.
The skin lightening properties of IV Glutathione Infusions is thought to be primarily related to stimulation of lighter pheomelanin pigment synthesis rather than darker eumelanin.
Two studies support the use of Glutathione based treatments for Skin Lightening and Brightening.
In a 2012 study, 60 people were given either glutathione capsules, or placebo. After 4 weeks, the melanin indices decreased consistently at all six sites in subjects who received glutathione indicating a lightening of the skin.
In a 2017 study subjects in three groups and took two forms of glutathione or placebo. After 12 weeks, in the glutathione groups, melanin index (indicating lighter skin) and skin wrinkles reduced while elasticity increased.
Intravenous Glutathione is well complimented with oral Liposomal Glutathione.
Very frequently patients do 1-2 Glutathione based IV treatments weekly for 8 - 12 weeks with regards to Cosmetic effects.
Fatigue
Vitamins, and minerals used intravenously can frequently enhance energy
We can compliment our oral fatigue treatments with IV therapy.
Typically our Naturopathic doctors use IV therapy to enhance energy after hormone balancing.
Our clinic uses vitamins, and minerals intravenously to enhance energy production pathways.
Most of the B vitamins and Magnesium play a role in energy production, and fatigue can result from a deficiency of individual B vitamins or Magnesium so we jack you up with B's and Mag as part of this IV
Additional B1, B12 and Magnesium are often added in comparison to the standard Myers Cocktail IV.
Our Naturopathic Doctors do a robust workup for fatigue.
We always check Cortisol and DHEA levels as a reflection of Adrenal function as well as Testosterone levels (which can affect energy is both men and women).
In women in particular, low DHEA and low testosterone are commonly co-occurring and have accessory symptoms like low mood and low libido.
Our Naturopaths always also assess Thyroid function in our fatigued patients.
We do a much deeper dive into Thyroid testing than most medical doctors do.
We also assess Thyroid related nutrients and arguably the most important Thyroid nutrient - Iodine! Which we see frequent low levels of in our Edmonton patients.
Mood
Vitamins can play a crucial role in both anxiety and depression
We can compliment our oral mood treatments with Vitamin IV therapy.
Vitamin, hormone and neurotransmitter testing is often used to uncover the causes of your mood issues.
IV delivery of vitamins can increase brain levels of key nutrients for anxiety and depression.
IV Therapy for mood is a preferred treatment because, in our experience, it can give rapid results like no other natural treatment can.
Methyl-folate is an interesting mood nutrient our Naturopaths often use. MTHF can significantly increase the response rate to SSRIs and our Naturopaths usually add additional MTHF to our IVs once we assess tolerance to intravenous Methyl-B12.
Both Methyl-folate and Methyl-B12 are thought to increase production of SAMe.
SAMe is involved in production of Serotonin and Dopamine (along with BH4)
Key IV Ingredients
MethylB12
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Intravenous B12 used to enhance serotonin and dopamine.
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MethylFolate
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IV MTHF is effective for treatment resistant depression.
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Amino Acids
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IV aminos are building blocks for neurotransmitter production.
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Additional Conditions
Immunity
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Vitamin C, Zinc, Selenium and HCL are key IV Ingredients
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Migraine
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IV Magnesium, B6 and Taurine are relevant for headaches
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Lyme
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IV ALA, Glutathione & Phospholipids for nerve restoration
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IBD
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IV Vitamins & Trace Elements often used in IBD patients
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Mood
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IV B12, Methyl-Folate and Aminos for mood
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Heart Disease
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IV Phospholipids are researched for hear & liver disease
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Fertility
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IV Glutathione, Zinc and Selenium for egg health
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Interested in IV Therapy?
Call our Naturopaths! (780) 757-8378
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