IV Calming Drip

Jun 5

The application of intravenous nutrients for therapeutic benefits and preventative medicine has evolved substantially over the past several centuries with the greatest advance in medications, equipment, and procedures occurring in the last 60 years. William Harvey was the first person to lay the foundation for understanding the anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system in 1638, after his experimentation with the carcasses of deer, which helped him to appreciate that the heart was a muscular pump that facilitated blood circulation throughout a network of capillaries.1 The first account of intravenous infusion dates back to 1656, when Sir Christopher Wren used the rudimentary tools of the time, a quill and a pig’s bladder to instill wine, ale, opium, and liver of antimony into a dog’s bloodstream.1 His aim was to explore the possibility of directly introducing fluids and substances into the circulatory system for therapeutic purposes. In those times, there was very little understanding of physiology and biochemistry, and medical practices were influenced by cultural and religious beliefs with limited scientific understanding.

A pandemic of cholera spreading across Asia and Europe in 1831 catalyzed the development of primitive methods for IV rehydration with saline solution for the replenishment of fluids and electrolytes after the repeat failure of the go-to interventions at the time, bloodletting and inducing emesis.1,2 The concept that the intravenous infusion of a reasonable amount of fluid containing electrolytes could prevent death from dehydration was correct, but the application was far from efficacious. Sterilization and anesthetics were introduced in the late 1800s, paving the way for safer surgical procedures and a renewed need for blood and fluid IV administration, which expanded with the high demand of these therapeutic approaches during World War II.1 In the 1950s and 1960s potassium chloride, B vitamins, and vitamin C were commonly added to IVs for recovering surgical patients or administered to prevent malnutrition.1 There were also substantial advancements in the development of non-perishable supplies such as plastic IV bags, tubing, needles, flexible catheters, and flow rate regulators during the past 50 years, which has made intravenous nutrient therapy safer and more accessible.1

We offer a variety of nutrient formulas for intravenous infusion at Vancouver Wellness Studio. This month’s highlighted formula is the “Calming drip”, which contains magnesium chloride (2g), calcium gluconate (200 mg), potassium chloride (149 mg), taurine (100 mg), glycine (250 mg), dexpanthenol (B5) (500 mg), and MIC (Methionine, Inositol, Choline, L-Carnitine) (50 mg, 100 mg, 100 mg, 100 mg) in 500 mL of 0.9% normal saline. This IV formula is terrific for those struggling with insomnia, tending towards high anxiety and hyperarousal of the nervous system (think those of us who are tired & wired), as well as individuals looking for a boost in muscle recovery and improved cardiovascular health.

The nutrients within the formula aid the body in many important functions. Magnesium (Mg) is an important cofactor for numerous enzymes responsible for energy production and cellular repair.3 Mg is also crucial for proper muscle, cardiac, and nervous system function, facilitating muscular contraction and relaxation and nerve transmission.3 Calcium and potassium are essential elements for proper physiological function of the nervous, musculoskeletal, circulatory, cardiovascular, and urological systems.4,5 Calcium plays a role in blood clotting, hormone secretion, and bone health, while potassium helps regulate blood pressure and acid-base balance within the body, among other essential roles.4,5 Taurine exhibits antioxidant properties, protecting cells from oxidative stress, while also modulating neuronal activity and regulating neurotransmitter release to calm down the nervous system.6 This amino acid-like compound also plays a role in visual function by supporting retinal health, and cardiovascular health by supporting healthy blood vessel function and regulating blood pressure.6 Glycine exhibits a calming effect on the nervous system and is involved in brain functions of memory, cognition, and production of neurotransmitters7,8. It is a critical component of collagen, which provides structural support to skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments.7,8 This amino acid also plays an important role in detoxification, protein synthesis, and the regulation of blood sugar.7,8 Dexpanthenol (B5) plays a critical role in energy metabolism, skin health and wound healing, and synthesis of steroid hormones including cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone.9 This particular B vitamin is also involved in the synthesis of myelin, a protective sheath surrounding nerve fibers that facilitates efficient impulse transmission.9 B5 also plays a role in red blood cell production and liver detoxification.9 Methionine is an essential amino acid, meaning that our bodies are unable to synthesize it & we must obtain it from external sources. Methionine contributes to various methylation reactions, which are crucial processes for gene expression, cell metabolism, and synthesis of molecules like DNA, RNA, proteins, neurotransmitters, and cellular membrane components.10,11 Inositol is involved in lipid metabolism, appropriate insulin signaling, cellular growth and repair, as well as mood regulation and liver detoxification.12 Choline plays an important role in neurotransmitter synthesis, brain development and cognitive function.13 It too participates in methylation reactions to support cellular replication, detoxification, and gene expression.13 Carnitine is an essential factor in the process of converting fat (long chain fatty acids) into energy, especially during situations of high energy demand such as exercise or prolonged fasting.14 Carnitine plays a role in cardiovascular health, muscle and brain function, and immunomodulatory effects.14

All IVs and injections are administered by our naturopathic physicians who are well equipped to answer any questions you may have about our IV services. Please feel free to schedule a 15-minute consultation with one of our naturopaths or visit our spa location in the AC Hotel at the Vancouver Waterfront.

1. Millam D. The History of Intravenous Therapy. Journal of Intravenous Nursing. 1996;19(1).

2. Cosnett JE. THE ORIGINS OF INTRAVENOUS FLUID THERAPY. The Lancet. 1989;333(8641). doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(89)92583-X

3. Higdon, J., Drake, V. J., Delage, B., & Volpe, S. L. (2001, April). Magnesium. Linus Pauling Institute. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/magnesium

4. Higdon J, Drake VJ, Delage B, Weaver CM. Calcium. Linus Pauling Institute. January 2001. Accessed June 4, 2023. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/calcium.

5. Higdon, J., Drake, V. J., Delage, B., & Weaver, C. M. (2001b, January). Calcium. Linus Pauling Institute. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/calcium

6. Wu G. Important roles of dietary taurine, creatine, carnosine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline in human nutrition and health. Amino Acids. 2020;52(3). doi:10.1007/s00726-020-02823-6

7. Gamlin CR, Yu WQ, Wong ROL, Hoon M. Assembly and maintenance of GABAergic and Glycinergic circuits in the mammalian nervous system. Neural Dev. 2018;13(1). doi:10.1186/S13064-018-0109-6

8. Imenshahidi M, Hossenzadeh H. Effects of glycine on metabolic syndrome components: a review. J Endocrinol Invest. 2022;45(5):927-939. doi:10.1007/s40618-021-01720-3

9. Higdon, J., Drake, V. J., Delage, B., & Rucker, R. B. (2000, January). Pantothenic acid. Linus Pauling Institute. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/pantothenic-acid

10. Moiseenok AG, Kanunnikova NP. Brain CoA and Acetyl CoA Metabolism in Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2023;88(4):466-480. doi:10.1134/S000629792304003X

11. Dos Santos SL, Petropoulos I, Friguet B. The oxidized protein repair enzymes methionine sulfoxide reductases and their roles in protecting against oxidative stress, in ageing and in regulating protein function. Antioxidants. 2018;7(12). doi:10.3390/antiox7120191

12. Dinicola S, Unfer V, Facchinetti F, et al. Inositols: From established knowledge to novel approaches. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(19). doi:10.3390/ijms221910575

13. Higdon, J., Drake, V. J., Delage, B., & Zeisel, S. H. (2000, January). Choline. Linus Pauling Institute. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/choline

14. Higdon, J., Drake, V. J., Delage, B., & Hagen, T. M. (2002, January). L-carnitine. Linus Pauling Institute. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/L-carnitine