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IV Therapy for Athletes: Beneficial for Performance & Recovery

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Peck
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Reading Time: 6 minutes
IV for Athletic Recovery
Table of Contents
Table of Contents

Calling all sports enthusiasts to sign up for a brand new IV therapy specifically formulated to help athletes achieve optimized stamina and physical attributes!

Nepenthe Wellness Center has designed a customized IV therapy – also known as the Recovery and Performance Drip – for professional athletes and regular individuals with a passion for vigorous workout routines or sporting activities. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this intravenous athletic drip treatment to offer a better explanation as to how it might just be the best thing to revitalize your body, especially if you like to push your limits on a regular basis.

Is IV Therapy only suited for athletes?

The short answer is: not necessarily.

Have you noticed that, in some areas, intravenous therapy is a constant fixture of marathons?

These stations provide IV therapy for runners, enabling them to receive hydration and electrolytes directly into their bloodstream.

Apart from runners, this therapy is suited to a wide range of individuals involved in intense physical activities – from professional athletes to mountain climbers, hikers, bodybuilders, etc.

All these endeavors need the participants to eat right, warm up their bodies for the impending task, and ensure that they have all the basic building blocks.

As you extend your body to its limits, you can undergo rapid loss of fluids and minerals and that’s where the IV drips can help you out. 

This treatment has recently become popular among sports enthusiasts as a quick means to perhydrate and rehydrate for important events and is now being made available for non-professionals as well. 

What are the health benefits of Recovery and Performance Drip?

As a professional athlete, you may find that this therapy can serve as a great supplement to your overall course of training.

However, you might have to check if you are permitted to get this treatment under the rules sanctified by the organization you are associated with.

As for other physical activity enthusiasts out there, this drip comes with a range of benefits that are sure to be of great comfort. The Recovery and Performance Drip benefits people in the following ways:

  • It can improve the synthesis of proteins in the body to enhance muscle growth, -repair, and -recovery.
  • It will keep up the hydration levels in the body, the lack of which can lead to a range of physical and mental health concerns.
  • It can help the body achieve efficient energy consumption.
  • It can boost the body’s natural metabolism.
  • It can improve cognitive function and overall mental wellbeing.
  • It can help reduce muscle cramps’ frequency, intensity, and duration.
  • It can reduce inflammation and decrease pain.
  • It can reduce recovery time and boost stamina.
  • It can help boost the cellular repair process with regular treatment.
  • It helps you prevent intestinal hyper-permeability.
  • It can help the body regain its strength almost immediately and replace lost minerals and electrolytes after competition and workouts.

How does IV therapy for athletes work?

Wondering how this miraculous-sounding treatment can actually work?

Well, as you might be aware, the mitochondria of each body cell (even in the brain) have their DNA, whose performance capacity can be adversely affected by toxins, infections, or stress.

This new intravenous therapy treatment supports mitochondrial function and has antioxidation properties.

This is why this rejuvenating IV therapy is highly recommended for athletes. 

At Nepenthe Wellness Center, this treatment also includes ATP boosters like:

  • Magnesium Chloride
  • B12 for Energy
  • Extra Vitamin C
  • Extra hydration fluid to help flush out toxins

With these add-ons, you can further increase the benefits to be achieved from this intravenous therapy treatment that has reportedly benefited sports enthusiasts of all age groups. Depending on your physical exertion and routine, adjustments in the therapy can help you achieve even better results.

Benefits of glutathione IV for athletes

Glutathione is a well-known peptide that encompasses three essential amino acids (glutamate, glycine, and cysteine) and is found in all cells of the body. It is known as a master antioxidant, which is a primary anti-inflammatory agent in the cells, making this peptide extremely helpful for athletes.

Glutathione can prevent and correct tissue damage, reduce inflation, curb infection and help with muscular stress and fatigue. It is also hailed for its remarkable effectiveness in the prevention of oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is a common issue amongst athletes as their bodies can be pushed to a state where it doesn’t get enough antioxidants, causing tissue and cell damage. Glutathione is proven to neutralize a wide range of free radicals by blocking their uptake or binding to them. 

How is IV therapy for athletes administered?

There may be several outlets that will be offering IV Therapy for athletes at home. However, we recommend getting the treatment in a professional environment for added vigilance.

Book your session with Nepenthe Wellness Center today, and let us provide you with a completely customized consultation and treatment service. We will also brief you based on diagnosis how often can you do IV therapy.

Traditionally, the infusion can take between 40-60 minutes. With this treatment, your body can quickly restore to a healthier state and ensure that you enjoy your pursuits with maximum comfort and without compromising your nutritional balance.

How often should you do this treatment?

To get a customized treatment plan, you can visit us at our establishment, where our healthcare team can take into account your personal needs and objectives. The frequency of IV therapy for athletes varies from person to person. 

For most patients, a two-week waiting period between treatments is recommended for optimal results.

During this time, the body can adjust its nutrient levels, and you will also feel more energy during your daily routine.

Once your body achieves a desirable balance of nutrients, our team can schedule your treatment at a more stable pace. 

How long do the effects of IV therapy for muscle recovery/runners/athletes last?

With this treatment, your body will receive essential nutrients and electrolytes more quickly. If you are preparing for a big sporting activity or are recovering from one, then this is an ideal treatment option for you.

The effects of the treatment can last up to two weeks and depend on the state of your health. You can work with your healthcare provider to perfect a treatment plan that works just for you.

Is there a possibility of side effects?

As with any intravenous treatment, there is a possibility of side effects, which is why we stress getting the procedure done in a sterile and professional environment.

At Nepenthe Wellness Center, we have a skilled team of professional healthcare providers who are dedicated to helping you achieve physical and mental wellbeing.

We are committed to providing you with all the information you need to make the right decision about your health.

Following are the possible drawbacks of this treatment that are observed in a small number of patients:

  • Any intravenous treatment can make the body become susceptible to infection and lead to a burning sensation at the injection site. 
  • If administered too quickly, some people may feel light-headedness and fainting spells. This is usually caused by reduced blood pressure.
  • The safety of these treatments is not medically documented when it comes to breastfeeding or pregnant women, so caution is advised.
  • Some patients can react poorly to the combination of minerals and electrolytes by expressing symptoms of insomnia, depression, or an upset stomach. 
  • Allergic reactions may occur which (in rare cases) may include damage to peripheral nerves or anaphylaxis.

What do you need to consider before signing up for a session?

Although the administration of intravenous fluids via intravenous infusion is considered generally safe, we at Nepenthe Wellness Center make sure that your health comes first. Here is a checklist of every aspect of the treatment you need to consider before getting the IV treatment:

  • For those of you who are suffering from any health concerns, it is advisable to discuss this treatment with your primary care doctor beforehand to ensure your safety.
  • Make sure that your healthcare provider – who is administrating the IV treatment – is licensed and is aware of all your conditions.
  • Do your homework about the kind of therapy you are getting prior to scheduling your appointment. Our medical evaluation team will also provide consultation and clear you for IV therapy for athletes.
  • There is no need to rush the procedure. Feel free to convey any concerns that you might have throughout the treatment.
  • There is a safety limit to the dosage of steroids and anti-inflammatory medication an individual can intake. If you are combining treatments, let your healthcare provider know so they can adjust the treatment accordingly.

Try Nepenthe Wellness Center’s Recovery and Performance Drip for all your athletic pursuits

We do not compromise when it comes to your health, and neither should you!

Come visit us at Nepenthe Wellness Center for a Recovery and Performance Drip and achieve the peak of your physical form.

With a perfect balance of the right diet, regular exercise, and IV therapy, you can safely push the limits of your body without feeling any burnout or muscle/tissue damage. 

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Office of Dietary Supplements – Magnesium. (2022). Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/ 

de Oliveira DCX, Rosa FT, Simões-Ambrósio L, Jordao AA, Deminice R. Antioxidant vitamin supplementation prevents oxidative stress but does not enhance performance in young football athletes. Nutrition. 2019 Jul-Aug;63-64:29-35. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2019.01.007. Epub 2019 Jan 24. PMID: 30927644.

Holtzman B, Ackerman KE. Recommendations and Nutritional Considerations for Female Athletes: Health and Performance. Sports Med. 2021 Sep;51(Suppl 1):43-57. doi: 10.1007/s40279-021-01508-8. Epub 2021 Sep 13. PMID: 34515972; PMCID: PMC8566643.

Murray, Bob. (2007). Hydration and Physical Performance. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 26. 542S-548S. 10.1080/07315724.2007.10719656.