What’s In My Drip?

Amino acids are a group of organic compounds that form the building blocks of proteins that make up 75% of the body. Being foundational to normal chemical reactions, amino acids are involved in almost every body function, including:

+ Growth and development
+ Healing and repair
+ Normal digestion
+ Providing energy for the body
+ Regulating moods by producing hormones
+ Producing neurotransmitters
+ Assisting in the creation of muscles and connective tissue
+ Assisting in the synthesis of skin

Amino acids are classified into three categories – Essential, Nonessential, and Conditional. Each group has its own role and set of functions.

+ Essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body and must be ingested from an outside source. Regular meals will provide enough for normal function.

+ Nonessential amino acids are naturally produced by the body throughout the day.

+ Conditional amino acids are beneficial when the body is fighting off an illness or coping with stress.

A balance of essential and nonessential amino acids are required for optimal health and wellbeing. The body does not store amino acids, so they must be ingested or produced daily, otherwise the proteins in muscle and tissue will start to degrade.

Top athletic performance relies on proteins to help maintain muscle and tissue strength. Studies suggest that amino acids enhance the body’s endurance and capacity for exercise. Amino acids may modify athletic performance in several different ways, including increasing the amount of anabolic hormones in the body to boost metabolism, changing the way the body utilises energy during exercise, and delaying the onset of mental and physical fatigue by altering the rate at which serotonin is created.

Arginine is an amino acid that plays a vital role in many of the body’s functions, including making other compounds necessary for health. It can be converted to usable sugars, if needed by the body. With its ability to help fight fatigue, increase energy, improve circulation, and stimulate the immune system, it’s truly a versatile substance.

Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body.

It is used to:
+ Form an important protein used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels
+ Heal wounds and form scar tissue
+ Repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth

Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are made when your body breaks down food or when you are exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation. The buildup of free radicals over time is largely responsible for the aging process. Free radicals may play a role in cancer, heart disease, and conditions like arthritis. The body is not able to make vitamin C on its own, and it does not store vitamin C.

B complex vitamins refer to several different vitamins which are part of the same family. Together, these water-soluble vitamins perform a range of vital functions including cardiovascular support, helping the body convert food into energy, immune function, and more.

In addition to these, B complex vitamins are most notable for their role in promoting healthy skin, hair, and nails. They reduce free radicals in the body that contribute to aging, resulting in an overall healthier and younger appearance.

The B Complex Vitamins Are:

+ B1 (thiamine)
+ B2 (riboflavin)
+ B3 (niacin)
+ B5 (pantothenic acid)
+ B6 (pyridoxine)
+ B7 (biotin)
+ B12 (cyanocobalamin)

Because the B vitamin complex is so versatile and performs so many functions throughout the body, it is featured in many of Drip’s IV drip formulas.

Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, is part of the B-vitamin complex and is associated with improving the strength, appearance, and overall health of the skin, hair, and nails. To this end, biotin is a common addition to beauty supplements.
Biotin plays a role in converting food into energy by helping to metabolize carbohydrates and fats. B7 also helps maintain the nervous system and promotes healthy psychological function.
While rare, biotin deficiency is often marked by hair loss, a decrease in mental cognition, dermatitis, depression, hypotonia (decreased muscle tone), and ataxia (decreased muscle coordination) Biotin cannot be absorbed through the skin. IV therapy can quickly restore normal levels of biotin to prevent unwanted symptoms of deficiency.

Calcium is an essential mineral which keeps bones and teeth strong and is leached from our body as we age. To prevent osteoporosis and keep you fighting fit, optimum calcium levels are key. We use calcium gluconate for our drips, as this calcium compound the most common IV formulation and has a long history of safety.

Carnitine is another energy-supporting amino acid, helping cells properly utilize fatty-acids in their metabolism. Research on carnitine has uncovered exciting potential for slowing aging and improving cardiovascular health, and it is often used in supplements targeted towards athletes who want to perform better.

Vitamin B12 is part of the B-vitamin complex and notable for its role in maintaining optimal neurological function. The vitamin is associated with preventing memory loss and improving concentration, as well as boosting energy levels.

Vitamin B12 has a large role in DNA synthesis and metabolizing amino acids. B12 is essential to ensuring the proper formation of red blood cells; low levels of B12 can result in anemia.

Some individuals have increased difficulty absorbing B12 due to an underlying medical condition. These individuals are at an increased risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency. Symptoms of B12 deficiency include anemia, fatigue, and neurological changes such as memory problems, depression, and dementia.

B12 absorption is less effective when supplemented orally, so IV injection is an alternative and more effective way to correct B12 deficiency.

Studies suggest an association between low levels of vitamin B12 in the body and cognitive impairment, neurodegenerative disease, and dementia.

A derivative of Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is an essential component of coenzyme A (CoA) and acyl carrier protein (ACP). In both CoA and ACP, a derivative of pantothenic acid, 4′-phosphopantetheine, forms the active portion of the compound. COA is required for the chemical reactions that produce energy from carbohydrates, fats, proteins and for the synthesis of essential fats, cholesterol, certain hormones, and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. ACP is involved in the synthesis of fatty acids. The principal functions of pantothenic acid are through CoA which is required for synthesis of essential fats, sterols, steroid hormones, melatonin, acetylcholine, and heme (a part of hemoglobin and many metabolic proteins).