IV Nutrient Therapy Myers Five W’s
The Myers Cocktail: What’s, Who’s & Why’s
By Dr. K Holewa, ND RAc
What is a Myers Cocktail?
· A Myers/Nutrient Cocktail is an Intravenous Infusion Therapy typically a combination of Vitamins C, B Complex, B5, B6, B12, Folic Acid, Calcium, Magnesium and other nutrients. Specific amounts of these nutrients will depend upon the patient and the particular condition being treated.
· The nutrient combination is then infused directly into the circulatory system, generally 60-75 minutes.
History of the Myers Cocktail
· The Myers Cocktail is a very effective therapy that has been used by Naturopathic Physicians for over half a century. This therapy was initially developed by Dr John Myers and further refined by Dr Alan Gaby MD.
What are the benefits of IV nutrients as opposed to oral?
· Having the mixture added directly into the blood stream allows more thorough and rapid absorption of the nutrients. This is because by going directly into the blood, it bypasses the digestive system, where most nutrients are poorly absorbed and mostly eliminated. In fact for the majority of the population, over 50% of the vitamins and minerals taken by mouth are lost through urine and stool!
· Additionally, some side effects of high dose oral administration (for example loose stool from high doses of oral Vitamin C) are avoided.
What conditions can benefit from Myers Cocktails?
· Numerous conditions may benefit from IV Nutrient adminstration, including (but not limited to):
o Fatigue and Low energy
o Poor immune status, Seasonal Allergies, Asthma
o Migraines
o Hormonal imbalance
o Poor memory and concentration
o Stress, Anxiety and Depression
o Athletes, Muscle spasm and pain, Muscle recovery and endurance
o Arthritis and Chronic Pain
o Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue syndrome
o General health maintenance
How often does one get a Myers Cocktail?
· Frequency of treatment will depend upon the individual patient as well as the condition being treated.
· For more acute conditions, in preparation for an event (marathon, sports competition), or in anticipation of high stress (weddings, travel, exams), Myers Cocktails may be used weekly over 3-5 weeks (or more). This will usually be tapered down as symptoms improvement is monitored.
· Myers Cocktails may also be used monthly for chronic conditions (migraines, allergies, etc), general health maintenance and to help support immune function.
Are there any side effects?
· Myers Cocktails are a very safe, proven and effective therapy with minimal risks. The most common side effect is occasional redness or irritation at the site of injection, and this resolves shortly after the treatment. Some patients may experience low blood pressure or lightheadedness during or after injection, but these typically only last for 5 to 10 minutes. Having a mild taste of B vitamins in the back of the throat is not uncommon, but this diminishes shortly after treatment.
· During treatment, patients will typically have a general feeling of warmth and relaxation. It is not uncommon for mini naps to be enjoyed during treatments!
· Discussing with your naturopathic physician about any medical history and communicating any sensations you experience during treatment will allow for adjustments to be made to your particular treatment (amounts and/or frequency of infusion).
Talk to your Naturopathic Physician if have questions about Myers Cocktails (other IV therapies) or if you think that the treatment would be beneficial for you!