What is a Myers Cocktail?
One of the most common IVs provided by naturopathic doctors across North America is a Myers cocktail.
What is in this popular IV and what can it be helpful for?
The Myers cocktail is an intravenous mixture of minerals and vitamins that is administered directly into a vein and is infused over a timespan of 30-45 minutes. It can be effective against asthma symptoms, migraines, fatigue, fibromyalgia, acute muscle spasm, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, and cardiovascular disease.
The vitamins in the Myers cocktail include vitamin C, vitamin B complex, vitamin B12, magnesium, and calcium. It is a fairly simple formula. However, taking these nutrients intravenously means they are 100% absorbed into circulation which is dramatically more than the absorption through the gut with oral supplementation. Though the high levels of nutrients provided by a Myers cocktail will only last a few hours in circulation, the benefits can be profound over the long-term.
Some patients may receive the Myers cocktail weekly or monthly. Naturopathic doctors may recommend this option when a patient has trouble with absorption (including patients with IBS or IBD) or when a patient is chronically ill and a less invasive nutritional plan is not effective. Naturopathic doctors work with their patients with complex health conditions to identify root cause issues and assess an individuals need for advanced nutritional IV therapy. Patients who are a candidate for this treatment will be assessed by their naturopathic doctor to ensure safety and to consider any individual modifications to the formula that may be required.
To learn more about the effectiveness of the Myers cocktail including its history, applications, theory, and research please read the following review by Dr. Alan Gaby, MD —> Intravenous Nutrient Therapy: The “Myer’s” Cocktail.
To find out more if this or other nutrient IVs might be appropriate for you, contact our office to book an IV therapy consult with your naturopathic doctor!