People who take vitamin and mineral supplements know how much these supplements can help. It is not really a matter of manufacturing expensive and bright yellow urine. I have not had so much as a cold in over a year, and have missed only three days of work due to illness in the last 30 years. I take a lot of regular supplements, but no medications.
I also take intravenous nutrients. Our medical office specializes in lifestyle and nutritional therapies in preference to drugs and surgical treatment. Many patients come in for treatment with intravenous infusions containing high-dose vitamin C, glutathione, B vitamins, magnesium, and trace minerals. The combination is often called an immune drip. It takes about 60-75 minutes to complete through a vein in the hand or forearm.
The immune drip helps people with:
1. respiratory, urinary, and gastrointestinal infections, including the flu
2. surgery, since it reduces post-operative pain and speeds healing. Patients going for extensive operations such as heart surgery or hysterectomy come in for several infusions to get built up, and return after surgery to speed recovery.
3. injuries, including fractures, sprains, bruises and lacerations
4. emotional stress of any type
5. drug detoxification
6. chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer. Nutrients improve the tolerance and effect of these therapies.
7. physically demanding events, such as running marathons, long distance cycling, or competitive athletics. Intravenous nutrients enhance athletic performance, improve conditioning and reduce the risk of injury.
Highly trained athletes, and those involved in prolonged and intensive activities, receive a more potent combination of nutrients. Dosages are increased over time, so eventually the athlete receives 100 gm of vitamin C, along with 10,000 mg of glutathione, 6,000 mg of L-carnitine, and 6,000 mg of taurine. Some individuals receive even higher doses of vitamin C.
Vitamin C has valuable effects. It enhances immune function, and is essential for wound healing. In high doses vitamin C greatly increases production of collagen, which establishes the strength and elasticity of connective tissue in the body, the matrix of support for muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Vitamin C in high doses is also ergogenic, meaning that it creates heat and energy. A well-known trainer of professional and Olympic athletes told me that using high dose vitamin C his athletes have achieved their lowest levels of body fat, well under 10%, in several months less time than usually required.
L-carnitine is an amino acid that is essential for metabolism of long-chain fatty acids in mitochondria, the energy-producing factories in cells. Ninety-seven per cent of all carnitine in the body is located in skeletal muscle. L-carnitine is crucial for energy production. In our medical practice L-carnitine is a major nutrient for the treatment of heart disease, especially congestive heart failure.
Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is important for the production of L-carnitine. It is used in the treatment of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, liver disease, and inflammatory disorders.
Glutathione is perhaps the most important protein in the human body in terms of its multiple life-sustaining functions. It is both an anti-oxidant and detoxifier. The liver requires glutathione for the metabolism and excretion of toxic byproducts. Acetaminophen is one of many drugs whose excretion depends on the presence of glutathione. Glutathione also prevents cellular damage caused by oxidizing agents, or free radicals. Intense exercise increases oxygen-derived free radicals, and glutathione prevents them from injuring cells.
The greater the level of stress, and the higher the energy demands on the body, the greater is the risk of injury, and of impaired performance. The supply of critical nutrients should be more than adequate, in order to prevent negative events. Intravenous nutrition is an easy and certain method of ensuring sufficient body stores. There is no concern about absorption; the nutrients are delivered directly into the blood stream. Effects are instantaneous, since delivery is immediate.
Our most recent patients include a football lineman, a boxer, and a middle-aged man who just wants to perform better. Our treatment uses no drugs and no hormones, only basic nutrients in doses to prevent any deficiency and to achieve optimal health and performance. There is no risk of the complications that have occurred with performance-enhancing drugs such as ephedrine. The treatment is safe, easy, and uses only nutrients with which the body is completely familiar.
Allan Sosin, M.D.