Getting enough energy to train hard can be a challenge. Besides eating well and resting, IV therapy can help improve energy levels pre-and post-workout. Intense physical exertion leads to excessive sweating, draining the body of fluids, vitamins, and minerals. IV hydration therapy can prevent dehydration by directly delivering a balanced combination of fluids and electrolytes to the bloodstream.
Vitamin C
The body uses vitamin C to help protect against inflammation and boost the immune system. An IV drip therapy in NYC can provide this nutrient directly into the bloodstream. In recent years, IV vitamin drips have become a popular wellness trend with celebrity endorsements and many purported benefits. These include reducing hangover symptoms, fighting exhaustion, and increasing immunity. Oral supplements can also deliver vitamin C and other vitamins to the body, but IV therapy bypasses the digestive system, delivering nutrients straight into the bloodstream. This increases their bioavailability, which can be a benefit for muscle growth. Medically necessary IV treatments can be administered in hospitals or specialized infusion centers. However, IV treatments can also be offered as elective hydration and vitamin therapies outside the hospital at independent clinics, gyms, and medspas. While these treatments may offer an attractive alternative to consuming energy drinks or taking vitamin pills, they are not without risk. IV treatments can cause severe complications if not administered correctly by a licensed healthcare professional.
Amino Acids
The human body contains 20 amino acids that can be categorized as either essential or non-essential. Nine are considered essential, meaning the body does not produce them naturally and must get them through diet or supplements. Three of these amino acids are called branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). They are known for helping stimulate muscle protein synthesis, reduce fatigue, and help prevent delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS. The first hour after a workout is an ideal time to start muscle synthesis and reduce the breakdown of muscle fibers. This process is triggered by the amino acid leucine, responsible for “flipping the anabolic switch.” IV therapy offers many benefits besides hydration, including immune and energy boosts and hangover relief.
Nutrients
Nutrients are chemical compounds that give energy to cells and other organisms. They are found in our foods, and the body cannot synthesize them. The human body uses six types of nutrients to function: carbohydrates, lipids (fats), proteins, water, vitamins, and minerals. IV drips deliver fluids directly into the blood vessels, bypassing the digestive tract and delivering vitamins and other vital nutrients faster. While IVs administered for medical purposes are usually done in hospitals or health care clinics, independent boutiques and community providers offer elective IV treatments marketed as wellness-related. A popular option among these is an IV hydration treatment designed to combat dehydration caused by illness, intense workouts, and other conditions. Other popular IV packages include a weight loss drip and one that relieves hangover symptoms, including headaches. You can even get a boost of antioxidants by pairing your IV with an IV add-in, such as glutathione or vitamin B12.
Electrolytes
Whether you want to build lean muscle mass, crush a workout session, or maintain your current body composition, you must hydrate and replenish electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential for many reasons, including reducing fatigue, improving performance, and helping to accelerate the protein synthesis process in muscles. Various factors determine how much water and electrolytes you lose during a workout, such as the type of workout (strength training and endurance), body size, age, and diet. This is why having a hydration and nutrition plan before hitting the gym or hiking is important. IV therapy is often used in the hospital setting to help patients receive fluids faster than they could get through their digestive system, treat dehydration or illness, and deliver certain medications that can’t be taken orally. But it is also widely available in non-hospital settings, including hydration bars and clinics. These centers offer a variety of IV drip packages designed to help you hydrate, boost energy levels, and speed up your recovery.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants have become a buzzword in the fitness industry because they’re known to combat free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your body’s cells, leading to chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. The good news is that antioxidants can help prevent free-radical damage and enhance your immune system. The human body naturally produces some antioxidants called endogenous antioxidants. But the body also depends on external sources of antioxidants found in food. These dietary antioxidants include berries, vegetables, and some nutrient supplements. When a free radical comes into contact with an antioxidant, it gives up its highly reactive electron, stabilizing itself and stopping the chain reaction that can otherwise cause cell damage. However, the antioxidant can oxidize in the process and become a pro-oxidant. The antioxidants in IV drips can help balance the oxidative stress caused by exercise. The high nitrate content of beet juice also helps to speed up muscle recovery by dilating blood vessels and delivering nutrients and oxygen more quickly.