ABQ: Introducing Antioxidants and Nutritional Infusions in a New Light

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Albuquerque news reported an estimated 30% of New Mexico counties to lack food sources in 2020. As a result, people become malnourished. It can be due to either undernutrition or the opposite, which is overnutrition.

The news also reported higher healthcare costs at $92.5 million in NM. The expenses included medical condition complications, lengthy hospital stays, and readmissions. 

Undernutrition is the deficiency of calories, while nutritional deficiency refers to the lack of specific vitamins and minerals. But, when you lack calories, it can also mean you lack vitamins and minerals. At the same time, malnutrition is the imbalance or lack of nutrients your body needs.

The good news is, malnutrition can be prevented. Additionally, you can boost your immunity to combat diseases and maintain good health. The injection and Infusion Clinic of ABQ offer antioxidants and nutritional supplements.

Here’s what you need to know before you get your IV therapy drip:

• How Antioxidants Work
• Where You Can Get Antioxidants
• Why You Should Take Antioxidant Supplements
• Causes of Nutritional Deficiency
• Medical Interventions for Nutritional Deficiency
• Tests for Nutritional Deficiencies
• How IV Vitamin Therapy Works
• ALA, Poly-MVA, and Myers’ Cocktail

How Do Antioxidants Work?

Antioxidants are substances that combat toxins and free radicals in your body. Free radicals naturally occur in your body. But if they exceed their normal levels, they can cause diseases. Some examples are cancer, diabetes, and heart problems.

Antioxidants serve to keep free radicals at a normal level. It prevents the damaging action of free radicals, like oxidative stress. 

Oxidative stress occurs when you have too many free radicals. If it persists, it causes damage to your DNA. As a result, your cells die. In addition, you’re at greater risk of developing diseases like arthritis, heart and lung problems, and a weakened immune system.

Many factors increase free radicals in your body. These factors are linked to your lifestyle and environment. Some of these factors are the following:

• Air pollution
• Alcohol 
• Cigarette smoke
• Infections
• Toxins
• Ultraviolet rays

To sum this up, your body maintains an equilibrium between antioxidants and free radicals. Antioxidants serve to keep the balance to neutralize free radicals. As a result, it prevents oxidative stress that causes harm to your body.

Where Can I Get Antioxidants?

Antioxidants can be found in your body, foods, and several vitamins. These antioxidants keep your body healthy. It can also ward off toxins that cause damage to your cells.

• Body

Your body naturally produces antioxidants. Examples are alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and glutathione (GSH). Your cells’ mitochondria make ALA. Some ALA is converted to Dihydrolipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant. 

At the same time, GSH is also known as a potent antioxidant. It is because your body creates GSH in your liver, where amino acids synthesize it. These amino acids include cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. 

• Food

You can find antioxidants in plant-based sources and seafood. Examples of un/processed plant sources are berries, cereals, legumes, tea, coffee, and nuts. Another study also includes chocolate in its comprehensive Antioxidant Food Database.

In addition, the study notes the highest-ranking “fats and oils.” It consists of butter, margarine, canola, corn, and soybean oils. When it comes to “herbs and spices,” clove tops the list.

Meats, fish, and poultry are low on antioxidants. But a study suggests brown seaweeds as a source of antioxidants. Moreover, another study shows fish protein improves antioxidant status among diabetic and hypertensive rats.

• Vitamins

Antioxidant vitamins include vitamins C and E. Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that boosts your immune system. It helps protect your cells from the harmful effects of free radicals. At the same time, a study shows that Vitamin C can help the body fight oxidative stress and inflammation.

Vitamin E, unlike Vitamin C, is a fat-soluble antioxidant. However, it is similar to Vitamin C as Vitamin E prevents oxidative stress and boosts immunity. But it relies on Vitamin C and other vitamins to have an optimal effect. 

Copper, iron, zinc, selenium, and manganese are essential nutrients. They are cofactors with antioxidant functions. These nutrients also reduce oxidative stress like Vitamins C and E.

Should I Take Antioxidant Supplements?

According to a study, the total antioxidant capacity doesn’t seem to respond to high doses of dietary antioxidants. So, do you still need supplements?

People with normal levels of antioxidants don’t have to take antioxidant supplements. They may get sufficient antioxidants from the foods they eat. However, some people with specific conditions benefit most from antioxidant supplements. Here’s why:

• It reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
• It decreases the duration of colds and their severity. 
• People who smoke may need more antioxidants since cigarettes contain toxins.

Antioxidants from food sources are great for your health. However, supplements exceeding the recommended daily intake can do more harm than good. 

Excess use of antioxidants may cause male infertility. It may also increase the risk of death instead of preventing cancer. Another example is taking Vitamin E supplements at high dosage or 400 IU/d. A study shows it can potentially lead to mortality.

A 2020 study shows Vitamin E may work well for altitude training among athletes. Moreover, taking it short term can improve performance during high-intensity exercise.  In contrast, chronic Vitamins C and E supplementation can impair your athletic performance.

What Is Nutritional Deficiency?

A balanced diet keeps your organs functioning correctly, which keeps you healthy. However, nutritional deficiency happens when your body isn’t getting enough vitamins and minerals from your diet. 

There are many causes behind nutritional deficiency: poor dietary intake, malabsorption, liver disorders, and medications. Other reasons are associated with pregnancy, a vegan diet, and alcoholism.

The common deficiencies involve Vitamins A, B12, C, D, E, K, and Iron. A lack of these vitamins can cause bone, blood, eye, skin, and neurological problems. Other diseases associated with nutritional deficiency are anemia, scurvy, and pellagra. At the same time, a severe lack of protein can cause kwashiorkor and marasmus. 

Some common head-to-toe symptoms of nutritional deficiency:

• Dry and brittle hair, severe hair loss, or dandruff
• Vision problems
• Dry lips, bleeding gums, or mouth ulcers
• Irregular heartbeat
• Bone pain
• Slow-healing wounds
• Burning feet or restless leg syndrome

What Are Medical Interventions for Nutritional Deficiency?

Nutritional deficiency has various medical interventions. However, the specific vitamin and mineral deficiency must first be identified. 

• Prevention

The adage of “prevention is better than cure” applies to medical conditions. For example, nutritional deficiency can be prevented through a proper and balanced diet. 

Drink plenty of water and eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Moderate intake of meats, poultry, fish, and dairy products is helpful. At the same time, catch some early morning sunlight while doing light exercise.

• Screening for nutritional deficiency

A medical practitioner assesses your nutrition status and performs a nutritional screening test. It tests for macronutrients and micronutrients through a blood test. 

Macronutrients refer to carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water. In contrast, micronutrients refer to antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. There are many nutritional tests to diagnose nutritional deficiency. Most micronutrient deficiencies can be seen through a finger-prick or venous blood test.

• Dietary counseling

Dietary or nutritional counseling is effective in managing nutritional deficiency. Nutrition counseling may involve a plan and advice on an eating pattern.

A dietician, nutritionist, or medical practitioner conducts an initial interview. It gives them a better understanding of your nutritional status. Screening may be performed after your assessment.

A dietary plan shows you the nutritional goal, foods to eat, and how to prepare them. It aims to improve your nutritional status and help you manage a healthy weight.

• Supplements

You can benefit from supplements if you can’t get the right amount of nutrients from your food. Medical practitioners often prescribe supplements to people at risk of nutrition deficiency.

According to a study, almost 30% of Americans are at risk of one vitamin deficiency. Taking multivitamins helps decrease the risk of nutritional deficiencies. It includes women of child-bearing age, underweight, obese, and people with poor diets.

Does IV Vitamin Therapy Work?

IV vitamin drips have been used by celebrities like Sofia Vergara, Madonna, Brad Pitt, and Chrissy Teigen. Celebrities are known to party all night. For one, Sofia Vergara offered her guests hangover drips after her wedding party.

Other artists like Madonna use vitamin B12 injections to boost energy and metabolism. For Brad, it’s Myers’ Cocktail to improve vitality and looks. Chrissy is part of the bandwagon as she infuses with an immunity IV drip for flawless skin and hair. 

Overuse of IV vitamin therapy can have a bad reaction, like what happened to Kendall Jenner a few years ago. She recovered quickly, though, after receiving immediate care at the hospital.

Kendall’s case is uncommon. However, you have to consider that everyone reacts differently to substances. So, it’s best to consult us about an IV therapy you intend to use.

For instance, IV vitamin therapy helps people with malabsorption problems. People with malabsorption can’t get enough nutrients from the food they eat through their digestive system. The solution to this is through another route. 

IV vitamin therapy is generally safe when administered properly. The body needs specific vitamins, which can be injected or infused into your vein. Unlike the oral route, it provides greater concentration and works fast.

A study shows people with chronic asthma benefitted from IV vitamin therapy. Another form of IV vitamin therapy is Myers’ Cocktail. A pilot study reveals it seemed to relieve symptoms of people with fibromyalgia. 

What Are ALA, Poly-MVA, and Myers’ Cocktails?

Many substances serve as antioxidant and nutritional support. Examples are IV therapies of Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), Poly-MVA, and Myers’ Cocktail.

• ALA: It regulates glutathione or GSH, a potent antioxidant. It protects your cells from damage. A systematic review of 71 studies with more than 2,500 participants shows ALA supplement was safe and did not pose any severe adverse reactions. 

• Poly-MVA: It’s a patented dietary supplement composed of a palladium of ALA and B vitamins with traces of molybdenum and ruthenium. Poly-MVA increases GSH, too. It offers antioxidant effects, supports energy production, and improves nutritional status.

Moreover, a study assessed the result of Poly-MVA in aged rats. Researchers suggest it might be effective to protect from aging due to the risk of heart and degenerative brain diseases.

• Myers’ Cocktail: Dr. John Myers formulated the Myers’ Cocktail as an IV vitamin and mineral therapy in the 1970s. The modified cocktail contains Vitamins C and B complex, calcium, glutathione, magnesium, and zinc. 

It’s been used for asthma, fatigue, fibromyalgia, migraine, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, it has been used for people with seasonal rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and upper lung problems.

Bottomline

Not everyone needs IV antioxidants and vitamin therapy. However, people with specific medical conditions may need it. Keep your body and organ function healthy through proper nutritional support. Add to your proper nutritional support with antioxidants. Some of the antioxidants include ALA, Poly-MVA, and Myers’ Cocktail. These are available at The Injection and Infusion Clinic of ABQ.