PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ARE TURNING TO INTRAVENOUS (IV) nutrition to speed recovery and alleviate fatigue associated with sports.
But are there potential harms associated with the practice? And is there any high-level evidence that IV nutrition helps high-end athletes? The quick answer is that there is no solid proof that intravenous supplements do anything except create expensive urine.
In medicine, our patients sometimes need needle-inserted drips for treating illnesses such as low red blood cell counts (anemia) or for those who suffer from severe dehydration.
Anti-Doping Agency limits IV use.
Unless an athlete is exempted (because of medical necessity), the World Anti-Doping Agency limits intravenous transfusions to under 100 mL (3.38 ounces). Without such an exemption, the Olympics bans them.
Not all sports leagues restrict the use of IV supplements, according to an editorial recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Athletes have been using pre- or post-game “IV drip bars,” laden with vitamins B and C, amino acids, and electrolytes.
The downsides of using this unproven strategy?
- risk of infection
- may violate an anti-doping rule
- unknown negative effects of pushing nutrients in their bodies to very high, supra-physiological levels
Like most supplements, we should stick to food consumed by mouth. Get a sports dietician to optimize your training regimen. Thank you for joining me for this brief look at IV nutrition for sports.
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
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