by Dr. Colin Race

A multinutrient formula is a customized mixture of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients injected intravenously. By injecting nutrients directly into the bloodstream, nutrients are able to reach much higher concentrations then would be possible with oral administration. Furthermore, with these high concentrations, the treatment results in a quicker, more effective and predictable clinical outcome.

The use of intravenous (IV) vitamins and minerals was pioneered by John Myers, MD, a physician from Baltimore, Maryland, who had been using such injections throughout his 25 year career for the treatment of a variety of health concerns. He had learned that chronic problems such as fatigue, depression, chest pain or palpitations were well controlled with these treatments. When Dr. Myers died in 1984, another local physician, Dr. Alan Gaby, took on the care of his patients and soon realized the clinical benefit for a wide range of medical conditions, often noticing dramatic results.

Dr. Gaby built on the original formula, and over time developed a modified version of his IV regimen, a treatment he named the “Myers Cocktail” in honour of the treatment’s originator.

Since Dr. Gaby’s published review of the therapeutic use of IV nutrients in 2002, interest has spread quickly through the Integrative and Naturopathic Medical communities. Clinics throughout North America have now adopted the therapy and are finding results similar to those of Dr. Myer and Dr. Gaby.

For reasons unknown, the treatment remains available primarily in Integrative medical centres, and not in mainstream medicine, despite the fact that it was developed by well respected physicians, and has a history of more than two decades of use.

Fortunately, the therapeutic results and clinical data speak for themselves.

A standard formula for the Myers cocktail includes high amounts of the following nutrients administered through a small needle in the arm.

• Vitamin C
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B5
• Vitamin B6

One attractive feature of IV treatments is the ability to modify the specific amounts and types of nutrients according to the needs of the patient. In certain cases, nutrients including the following may be added.

• Zinc
• Selenium
• Trace Minerals
• N–Acetyl Cysteine
• Amino Acids

One chief reason for including IV Nutrients in a clinical setting is the capacity to provide rapid symptom relief in a wide array of situations. Dr. Jonathan Wright, MD of the Tahoma Clinic noted the benefits in stating:

With oral supplements alone, it routinely takes considerably longer, often over a year. With the IV program, however, improvement is almost always substantial and quick, occurring in just two months.

Dr. Virginia Osborne, ND summarized the current rationale for use as follows:

The principle reason for nutritional IV therapy is to supply elements [nutrients] of normal body metabolism and those required for resolution of illness.

When patients are acutely or chronically ill, they often need a jump-start consisting of a high concentration of nutrients to get them on the road to healing.

Dr. Gaby, MD himself writes:

It has been the author’s observation that some patients who receive a series of IV injections become progressively healthier. In these patients, the interval between treatments can be gradually increased, and eventually the injections are no longer necessary.

Other patients require regular injections for an indefinite period of time in order to control their medical problems.

What types of conditions are Multinutrient IV Treatments used for?

• Chronic Fatigue
• Migraines
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Exhaustion
• Pain
• Acute or Chronic Infection
• Poor Immunity
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Allergies
• Asthma
• And more

Globe and Mail Article—www.theglobeandmail.com/life/style/run-down-execs-and-celebs-embrace-the-vitamin-drip/article1636910/singlepage/