IV Vitamins for Nutrient Therapy

IV Nutrient Therapy has been utilized in some form or another since IV use was started. IV nutrient therapy is used to achieve adequate levels of nutrients that will support your body’s needs. Intravenous administration of nutrients can achieve such serum concentrations not obtainable with oral or even intramuscular (IM) administration. Also, various nutrients have been shown to exhibit pharmacological effects usually dependent on the concentration of the nutrient and this level is usually not obtainable through oral administration. In addition, IV nutrient therapy may be more effective than oral or IM treatment for correcting intracellular nutrient deficits. Many different types of nutrients can be given during any IV therapy dependent on the patient’s deficits and/or conditions.

The Myers Cocktail IV therapy is the most common and sought out IV nutrient therapy given. Myers Cocktail was developed by the late John Myers, MD in the 1970s, which was an intravenous vitamin-and-mineral formula used to treat a wide range of clinical conditions.

The Myers Cocktail we use in our office consists of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C. Myers Cocktail has been found to be effective for  treating conditions such as asthma, migraines, fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia, muscle spasm, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, chronic cough, cardiovascular disease, dysmenorrhea and other conditions.

Glutathione IV Therapy add-on is used to strengthen the immune system through detoxification. Glutathione is naturally found in your body and a great antioxidant source. Glutathione is a very simple protein molecule made up of a tripeptide composed of cysteine, glycine and glutamine. The secret of the Glutathione power is the sulfur (SH) chemical groups. Sulfur is a sticky molecule that traps bad things in the body, including free radicals and toxins like mercury and other heavy metals.

IV glutathione is a very important add on to IV nutrient therapy for its ability to detoxify as well as strengthen the immune system and yields excellent results across a variety of conditions, including serious chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, severe toxicity, neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimers, stroke, depression, asthma, liver disease, MS, central nervous system damage, kidney disease, lyme disease and cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin C IV Therapy add on is a powerful antioxidant that helps by supporting the immune system, fighting infection, reducing inflammation and improving fatigue. High dose Vitamin C therapy has also been used to treat certain cancerous conditions with positive outcomes ranging from improved quality of life to tumor death. Vitamin C is best used to treat depression, fatigue, allergies, acute illnesses, promote wound healing, etc.  It takes an enormously large amount of oral Vitamin C to be effective but intravenous Vitamin C is better absorbed and more beneficial.

High dose magnesium is a powerful muscle relaxant.  We use it to stop migraines and for stress with excellent results.

At Hermann Aesthetics & Wellness our providers and staff believe that IV Nutrient Therapy can help people get back to feeling great and aid others in maintaining a healthy balance life. Please, call (813) 902-9559 to make appointment for an IV Nutrient Therapy treatment or consult at one of our conveniently located offices in Tampa or St. Petersburg.

 

What is IV Nutrient therapy?

IV nutrient therapy is a combination of vitamins that are given through the vein.  It can help boost the immune swellnessystem, increase energy levels and help manage many chronic health problems.  Typically when digestion occurs, nutrients are absorbed into the blood stream from cells of the inner lining of the intestines. If there is a damage to the intestinal cells or digestion is weak, nutrients will not be absorbed.

IV nutrient therapy can help replenish nutrients and provide rapid symptom relief. When people become sick from either an acute or chronic illness, the body requires higher concentrations of nutrients. With IV nutrient therapy, nutrients are directly absorbed to fuel cells.

IV nutrient therapy is done in the office. Patients sit comfortably and a sterile IV line is started. IV nutrient therapy will last approximately 20 minutes, but may vary depending on the specific composition of nutrients being infused. A complete treatment course generally requires a series of IV infusions.

At Hermann Aesthetics & Wellness we offer IV nutrient therapy to our patients. Our offices are located in Tampa and St. Petersburg. Please call the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals found in the body. It is found in                                                                       bone, teeth, red blood cells and is vital for 3d Magnesium elementmany systems in the body including the cardiovascular, muscular, and nervous system. Magnesium deficiency can result from a variety of causes and can be divided into 2 main categories: inadequate dietary intake or increased loss either via the GI tract or kidneys. There are also many drugs that deplete magnesium levels such as medications for reflux (Prilosec, Zantac, Nexium), statins, and some blood pressure medications.

Common symptoms of low magnesium include muscle cramps, weakness, heart palpitations, constipation, insomnia, and headaches. Magnesium is found in many foods such as whole grains, nuts, and green vegetables; however, most people do not get enough from their diet.

Low magnesium levels are associated with endothelial (blood vessel) dysfunction, increased C-reactive protein (inflammation marker), and decreased insulin sensitivity. The World Organization reports “low magnesium is implicated in hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome” confirming its significance in maintaining the body’s overall health. According to the National Health Institute the daily recommended intake of magnesium is 420mg for men and 320 mg for women. There are many forms of magnesium: chelate, citrate, and glycinate.

When checking magnesium levels it is important to check RBC magnesium. Serum blood levels do not accurately reflect levels because the body will maintain a steady supply to ensure adequate levels for the heart.

At Hermann Aesthetics & Wellness we offer Nutrient testing to our patients including magnesium. Our offices are located in Tampa and St. Petersburg. Please call the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

How Can B Complex Vitamins Help Me?

b vitamin 2B vitamins are a family of water-soluble vitamins that play critical roles in metabolism and biochemistry.  They represent the most common vitamins utilized by the body as cofactors for facilitating enzymatic function.  Our modern refined diet has lead to lower levels of B vitamins.  High levels of stress and many medications may lower B vitamin levels.  These vitamins have therapeutic power when taken together – their various functions are outlined below.

Thiamin (vitamin B1) is needed for energy production, nervous system functioning and heart health.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) helps the body turn food into energy.  It is also a powerful antioxidant.

Niacin (vitamin B3) aids the body in metabolizing food (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) into energy.  It is also a powerful antioxidant.

Vitamin B6 plays important roles in amino acid metabolism, hemoglobin production, helps modulate blood sugar and aids in efficient functioning of the nervous and immune systems.

Folate is essential in carbon metabolism and deficiency can be associated with neural tube defects, certain cancers and hyperhomocysteinemia.

Vitamin B12 has been found useful in the treatment of asthma, depression and mental wellness.  Vegetarian are particularly susceptible to low B 12, as it is found exclusively in animal products.

Biotin can strengthen nails, lower blood sugar and insulin and support weight loss.  It may also aid in alleviating diabetic neuropathy.

Pantothenic acid (previously known as vitamin B5) helps with immune function, energy generation, and the production of stress hormones.

Hermann Aesthetics & Wellness, a holistic internal medicine practice, offers comprehensive vitamin and mineral testing.  Locations are maintained in Tampa and Saint Petersburg, Florida.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

 

 

 

Can N-acetylcysteine Increase My Glutathione Levels?

antioxidantN-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a pro-drug for the amino acid cysteine. Supplementing with NAC increases intracellular levels of glutathione, which is a super-antioxidant. Deficiency of intracellular glutathione can worsen oxidative stress and accelerate cellular death in diseases such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS and diabetes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NAC is essential for pulmonary and renal functions and is used for antimicrobial purposes. It is identified as one of the most important medications needed in a basic health system. Massive cellular death can occur when an organism is starved of cysteine. However, the actual mechanism of cellular death appears to be more closely related to the loss of available glutathione.

NAC has very few documented side effects. The most commonly reported side effect is gastric distress when higher doses of NAC were given. NAC is typically found in the form of powder filled capsules. Typical dosing is 600mg give 3 times daily. NAC is not found in food sources, but high protein foods such as eggs, wheat, broccoli and poultry are good sources of cysteine.

At Hermann Aesthetics & Wellness, Dr. Anne Hermann and staff, offer comprehensive vitamin testing and nutritional counseling services to patients. Offices are maintained in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida. Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Should I be taking a Multivitamin?

iStock_000014174710SmallThis is a common question I am asked by patients and not surprising, the answer is not a simple one size fits all. It is possible to get all your essential nutrients through a healthy, balanced diet full of diverse fruits and vegetables. However, most people fail to meet the goals of 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. In fact, the CDC reports that only 32.6% of Americans consume fruit two times per day while only 27% ate vegetables more than three times per day. Based on the trend of our current eating habits, it is clear that dietary sources alone are often insufficient for providing key nutrients. To complicate matters, trend data for common crops in the past decade shows a significant decline in key nutrients. So while on average we are consuming less than the goal of fruits and vegetables per day, our foods also contain less nutrients.

Not everyone agrees that multivitamins are necessary though. In 2006 the NIH (National Institute of Health) concluded “there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of multivitamins by the American public to prevent chronic disease.” While there is not a consensus on the recommendation of multivitamins, it is evident that special populations do benefit from supplementation such as the elderly, child-bearing age, pregnancy, and strict vegetarians. People over the age of 60 often do not get the nutrients they need from the diet alone as our ability to absorb nutrients decreases. Women of childbearing age need higher amounts of folate (a B vitamin) to prevent neural tube birth defects. Strict vegetarians and vegans typically do not get enough vitamin B12, iron, calcium, copper, and zinc in the diet. So a multivitamin could be a good way to make up for nutritional shortfalls in the diet, but remember it does not replace a healthy diet. So, what if you do not fall into one of these special categories? Is a multivitamin right for you?

At Hermann Aesthetics & Wellness we offer our patients specialized nutrient testing that can help determine the need for dietary supplementation. Please call the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Vitamin D and Protection Against Autoimmune Disorders

3d vitamins.Exposure to UV radiation seems to protect against autoimmune diseases such as MS and Type 1 diabetes.  Studies have shown that the closer you live to the equator, the less likely you are to develop an autoimmune disease.  Individuals who reside in the southern United States are less frequently diagnosed than individuals who reside in Canada and the northern United States.  The early years matter also, if you lived in the south your first 10 years, you have a reduced risk of developing MS even if you move to a northern state or area and reside there the rest of your life.

The production of vitamin D is triggered by ultraviolet B rays from the sun.  Vitamin D helps modulate your body’s defense system.  Studies have shown that in individuals who have the potential for developing autoimmunity, vitamin D reduces the risk and may in fact slow the progression of certain autoimmune disorders in their early stages.  2000-4000 IU’s daily of vitamin D is recommended by most experts.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, offers comprehensive vitamin and nutritional testing to her patients.  As well as alternative treatment options for many health conditions, including autoimmune disorders.  Offices are maintained in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Vitamin C For Healthy Skin

Portrait of teenage girl holding lemonVitamin C is essential for maintaining healthy and resilient skin.  As we age, we naturally lose this nutrient; other factors such as exposure to pollutants, UV light and cigarette smoke can also cause a loss of vitamin C.

Vitamin C plays an important role in the formation of collagen, a protein that gives your skin its elasticity.  Optimizing your skin’s level of vitamin C can help to counteract wrinkle formation by increasing collagen production amounts.

Another common skin concern that can be corrected with vitamin C is age spots caused by sun damage.  Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant; it can reduce the amount of sunburned cells and reduce age-related damage to cells.  Although vitamin C does not replace sunscreen, it may protect against further sun damage and repair discoloration and fine lines.

Topical vitamin C is the best formulation (rather than supplement or food sources) to target signs of aging.  When purchasing vitamin C, look for products that contain between 3%-10% of the active ingredient ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid.  Apply topical vitamin C once a day, ideally after exfoliation in the morning.  You can expect to see a noticeable difference in your skin within 4-8 weeks of beginning topical vitamin C.  Maximum benefits are achieved with 6 months of use.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, offers full aesthetic services and numerous skin care treatment regimens to her patients.  Offices are maintained in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

 

Do I Need Iodine Supplementation?

Closeup of sea salt on rustic wooden backgroundIodine is a naturally occurring mineral that until the 1940’s was routinely used for a number of health concerns/conditions.  In the 1920’s iodine was added to table salt to reduce the incidence of goiter (enlarged thyroid gland).  Your thyroid gland requires iodine to function normally.  Iodine deficiency typically results in low circulating thyroid hormones or hypothyroidism.

Iodine deficiency can also lead to autoimmune disease of the thyroid and may increase the risk of developing certain cancers (thyroid, prostate, breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers).  Iodine deficiency is a common world health problem.  The most recognized form of deficiency is the goiter.  Iodine deficiency is also thought to be the most preventable cause of mental retardation.

Foods rich in iodine include sea vegetables (kelp), shrimp, scallops, eggs, and yogurt.  Adults require 150mcg of iodine daily for optimal health.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, offers comprehensive nutritional counseling and vitamin testing to her patients.  Offices are maintained in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida.   Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.