What are the pros and cons of oral vs. IM supplementation for vitamins and nutrients?

Morgan Brock BSN,RN

I'm sure you've been seeing the trend of more people trying intravenous infusions & injections of vitamins and micronutrients to support their body. So what exactly is the pro & cons of taking oral vitamins and nutrients vs injections or infusions? This article will help explain the process of absorption and the key differences and why you should consider adding this route of receiving nutrients into your self care routine.

When we take a vitamin or supplement orally, it has to pass through our GI system and be absorbed into our bloodstream. There are a lot of factors that affect absorption including the chemical characteristics of the supplement, pH and mobility of the GI tract, blood flow, and expression of glycoproteins within the GI tract. The amount of the drug that is absorbed from the GI tract and into the bloodstream is directed to the liver for first-pass metabolism before it can reach systemic circulation. Here in the liver, the nutrient is processed into an available form for the cells to use. The amount of supplement that reaches systemic circulation is limited by the nature of the formulation, chemical stability, and solubility. 

When we administer our vitamins through the muscle or directly into the bloodstream, we bypass the digestive system, avoiding potential drug interactions, degradation, and first-pass metabolism. Using this route, we can control the exact amount of medication being administered, ensuring an optimal therapeutic level, and we see much faster onset times for our targeted therapies. 

How to pick between IM and IV? 

Both provide great options for vitamin supplementation. Some medications are irritable to the veins and are only available in IM form and vice versa but overall its comes down to your preference on hydration and combination therapies. Our IM injections are quick and are typically one or two vitamins or micronutrients. With our IV drips we spend about an hour together allowing for a fluid infusion as well as your tailored vitamin and micronutrient injections. 

See how an IM or IV infusion can help boost your health and well-being today! 

Book your appointment today! Call us at 281-712-4201