The Best IV Therapy for Athletes (2024)

What makes an athlete go from great to the G.O.A.T.?

Intense, targeted workouts specific to your sport are key. But an athlete’s progression stalls without optimal nutrition and hydration. Finding the best way to hydrate is vital for the elite athlete and the weekend warrior.After an intense workout, athletes can quickly experience moderate dehydration. A person may lose up to one to two liters of fluid per hour through sweat and more with increased temperatures.Dehydration can cause the following:

• Anxiety

• Confusion

• Digestive issues

• Injuries

• Loss of coordination

• Muscle cramping from loss of electrolytes

These symptoms can impede an athlete's recovery. Dehydration may also derail a training schedule if an injury occurs. An athlete can only perform optimally with the appropriate level of electrolytes, minerals, and vitamins. The hydration balance is essential to winning games.Drinking water or sports drinks to offset dehydration may not be enough to reestablish a healthy fluid status. The stomach can only absorb a limited amount of liquids before nausea occurs. Necessary electrolytes and vitamins are also only partially absorbed in the stomach. Relying only on drinks for rehydration may be a mistake.IV Therapy can reset an athlete's body for optimal recovery. Since the stomach and digestive tract limit the absorption of many vitamins, fluids with critical electrolytes infusing directly into the bloodstream will replenish an athlete quickly. The higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals flooding the bloodstream will reach the cells much faster.IV hydration has played a role in medical tents at marathons and elite Ironman events for decades. The ‘Myers co*cktail,’ an IV therapy infusion developed by Dr. John Myers, is the gold standard for essential IV therapy.Athletes can use Dr. Myer’s basic IV therapy before a competition to optimize performance or after an intense workout for rapid recovery. Exercise enthusiasts have many other options for the best IV infusion types for their specific needs.

Top 10 IV Therapy Infusions for Athletes

1. Saline Solutions/Lactated Ringers

Sterile water and salt (sodium chloride) is the main base for rapid rehydration. It is necessary to lubricate the joints and muscles used during a workout. Practitioners may also use a fluid called Lactated Ringers’ to help replenish fluids and flush out toxins.Both liquids are in one-liter bags and carry the essential additives into the bloodstream.2. Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 boosts the red blood cells that carry the oxygen in the blood. Oxygen is vital for enhanced performance. B12 prevents anemia and maintains the health of the nervous system.3. Vitamin CVitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) boosts immunity, which can limit an athlete. Vitamin C also does the following:

• Battles fatigue

• Decreases inflammation

• Increases bone health

• Promotes muscle growth

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• Repairs cells

Vitamin C infusions kickstart a rapid recovery after a workout.4. MagnesiumMagnesium is the chief player in improving blood circulation, essential for getting oxygen to vital organs. This mineral also enhances muscle relaxation, which is crucial after a competition.5. Amino AcidsThree amino acids (arginine, citruline, and ornathine) work together to make an effective additive to improve metabolism. This trio increases lean muscle mass, which enhances athletes' speed and strength.

6. NAD+Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) increases endurance by converting glucose and fatty acids into energy. NAD kickstarts energy before a race or replenishes it after a big workout.7. ZincZinc promotes healing and reduces inflammation, which may occur after exercise. Zinc also helps fight off bacteria and viruses to keep an athlete healthy for the next session.8. TaurineThis supplement relieves the painful and annoying cramps associated with exercise. Adding this to an athlete's IV co*cktail will reduce fatigue and muscle soreness.9. GlutathioneGlutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in the body. Its function is to create and enhance new tissue development. Glutathione also improves the sleep quality necessary for complete muscle recovery.10. Vitamin B complexWith this mixture, an athlete’s energy and stamina will skyrocket. B2, folic acid, and riboflavin make up the complex. It functions to aid in energy production and essential tissue repair.

Benefits of IV Therapy for Athletes

After the tailored infusion, an athlete will achieve maximum hydration and recovery. Here are the overall benefits for athletes:

• Boost energy rapidly

• Enhance immunity

• Relieve sore muscles

• Replenish the necessary electrolytes, nutrients, and vitamins

• Restore mental clarity

Athletes may experience a rapid recovery after IV therapy. As an IV Therapy provider, you can be essential to their success.Although people have been using IV therapy for decades, it can cause adverse reactions. You will want to ensure appropriate screening and monitoring of the athlete is in place for safety. Educating your clients on the latest guidelines for therapy that will enhance their performance is also part of IV Therapy.Enrolling in IV Therapy Academy, the leader in IV Nutritional Infusion Therapy education, you will obtain all the tools to launch an IV therapy business. Learning to administer IV therapy safely and effectively is paramount to your success.After receiving a certification from IV Therapy Academy, you will have the skills to help athletes and other clients achieve maximum health.Contact us at IV Therapy Academy to learn more about starting a safe and lucrative IV therapy practice.

Enroll now in our Free Fundamentals IV Therapy Masterclass Training and register for the 14-day trial.

References

• Calderón‐Ospina, C.A., & Nava‐Mesa, M.O. (2020, January). B Vitamins in the nervous system: Current knowledge of the biochemical modes of action and synergies of thiamine, pyridoxine, and cobalamin. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 26(1), 5–13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6930825/

• Cleveland Clinic. (2021, February 16). Dehydration. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/9013-dehydration

• Goody, M.F., & Henry, C.A. (2018). A need for NAD+ in muscle development, homeostasis, and aging. Skeletal Muscle, 8, 9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5840929/

• Healthline. (2019, April 10). IV Vitamin Therapy: Your Questions Answered. https://www.healthline.com/health/under-review-IV-vitamin-therapy#What-are-the-risks,-if-any?

• Hwang, P., Morales Marroquín, F.E., Gann, J., Andre, T., McKinley-Barnard, S., Kim, C., Morita, M., & Willoughby, D.S. (2018). Eight weeks of resistance training in conjunction with glutathione and L-Citrulline supplementation increases lean mass and has no adverse effects on blood clinical safety markers in resistance-trained males. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-018-0235-x

• Jafarnejad, S., Boccardi, V., Hosseini, B., Taghizadeh, M., & Hamedifard, Z. (2018). A Meta-analysis of Randomized Control Trials: The Impact of Vitamin C Supplementation on Serum CRP and Serum hs-CRP Concentrations. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 24(30), 3520-3528. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30332942/

• Medical News Today. (2019, November 15). What are the benefits of glutathione?. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323936

• Suh, S.Y., Bae, W.K., Ahn, H.Y., Choi, S.E., Jung, G.,C., & Yeom, C.H. (2012, January 20). Intravenous vitamin C administration reduces fatigue in office workers: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Nutrition Journal. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22264303/