Toronto Functional Medicine Centre Looks at the History of IV Vitamin Infusion Therapy

Toronto, Ontario -

Toronto Functional Medicine Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada, has recently published an article that traces the history of IV vitamin infusion therapy. During ancient times, natural medicine “healers”utilized natural ingredients to treat patients. Herbal medicine serves as a prime illustration of treatments based on natural ingredients.

It was during the 19th century that intravenous (IV) treatments started to be used. IV bags eventually became the usual way of providing vitamin drip therapy, which are currently used to administer vitamins and medicines that cannot be provided orally to patients.

It was in the Middle Ages when an Italian scientist was reported to have injected ingredients directly into his own veins and found out that the body reacts to such injections. It should be noted that published studies indicated the administration of wine and saliva through the veins to treat health.

It was during the 1600s to the 1700s when Sir Christopher Wren was able to develop a device for administering infusions. The key parts of this invention were a pig’s bladder and a writing quill, which unfortunately didn’t provide the needed durability and strength. In the middle to late 1600s, Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denys administered an IV drip to a man, who later died. As a result of his death, the doctor was accused of manslaughter, but he was acquitted.

It was during the 1800s to 1900s when Dr. Thomas Latta observed that salt water that was injected into the blood flow could help in the treatment of patients suffering from cholera. It was also observed by Dr. James Blundell that only human blood can be transferred into the human body. And it was through 1900 when it was found that there are four blood types. Vitamin IV therapy became more popular by 1914 as a result of its beneficial effects, such as intravenous sodium citrate being able to prevent blood coagulation. IV drips became major components of health care settings going into the 1960s and it was also during that time that the popular vitamin infusion, the Intravenous Myers’ cocktail, named after its inventor, Dr. John Myers, was introduced.

Currently, IV drip therapy is still being used for its various benefits. It is being used for different kinds of health situations, including providing optimal hydration after strenuous physical activity and saving lives in the emergency department. It has become an option for people who need customized health care or those who have malabsorption problems and can’t take pills.

There are many possible advantages of IV nutrient therapy, which include: increasing the levels of hydration (rehydration of fluids); alleviating electrolyte imbalances; encouraging red blood cell production; providing an energy boost; provision of help to remedy nutrient deficiencies, including low iron levels; promotion of reduced recovery time and the healthy growth of muscle; providing the body with a potent combination of key nutrients for optimal functioning and peak performance; and more.

The IV Lounge at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre provides IV therapy as additional support for other therapies, including acupuncture, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, and naturopathic medicine. As functional medicine practitioners, they encourage patients to combine modalities since this may help in promoting improvements for liver detoxification, cellular function, and chronic pain levels. When combined with a healthy lifestyle, vitamin IV therapy may help with optimal functioning.

The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre’s treatment approach may be applied for different types of health problems, including: postmenopausal health issues, acute health issues, neuropathic pain, athletic recovery, hormone imbalances, tissue repair,fertility support, cellular damage, DNA repair, mineral deficiencies, thyroid issues, chronic fatigue, skin rejuvenation, immune function, adrenal function, and more.

Those who are interested in IV therapy, including what happens in a first session with IV therapy, can check out the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or contact them on the phone at (416) 968-961 or through email at info@tfm.care. They are open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays; from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday and Thursdays; from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Fridays; and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on alternating Saturdays.