Oral Supplements vs IV Therapy:
If you’ve ever stood in front of the vitamin aisle, you’ll know the feeling all too well: rows upon rows of bottles, all promising something special- better energy, glowing skin, or a stronger immune system. You grab a few, take them home, and feel proud of yourself for making the effort.
And yet here’s the part most people don’t know: what we swallow doesn’t always equal what our body absorbs. And sometimes, despite our best efforts, only a fraction of those nutrients actually make it into our cells where the magic happens.
That’s where IV Therapy can change the game.
Why Oral Supplements Still Matter
Let’s be honest: oral supplements are the “low-fuss” option. We can throw them in our bags, keep them on the kitchen counter, and they’re easy to work into our daily routine. They’re a great way to top up nutrients that we may be lacking from our food.
But (and here’s the catch)…
· The digestive system acts as a gatekeeper and decides how much you actually absorb. Things like gut health, stress, or even genetics (hello MTHFR mutations!) can limit how well those nutrients get through.
· Sometimes only 20–40% of what you swallow is absorbed (Padayatty et al., 2016).
· To see benefits, you need to be super consistent- every single day, often for weeks or months. And if you’re human (aka you forget sometimes), results can be hit or miss.
So yes, supplements are helpful, and though they can be a bit like filling a bucket with a tiny trickle of water.
Falling in Love with IV Therapy
Now imagine turning that trickle into a stream. That’s what IV Therapy does.
By delivering nutrients directly into the bloodstream, your body gets 100% of what is titrated into the bag; no digestive hurdles, no “maybe it absorbed, maybe it didn’t.”
The effects are felt faster.
One treatment can deliver the equivalent of weeks’ worth of oral supplementation.
Blends can be customised to individual needs- whether you need antioxidants, B Complex vitamins, or replenish essential minerals.
IV Therapy is that deep soak that restores balance and vitality so your cells can flourish.
The Perfect Partnership
Here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be an either/or situation. In fact, the best results come when oral supplements and IV Therapy work together.
Together, they:
· Maintain consistent nutrient levels.
· Support ongoing cellular function and energy production (Gombart et al., 2020, Nutrients).
· Optimise immunity, mood, recovery, and overall wellbeing.
IV Therapy gives you the deep reset- flooding your cells with nutrients when you need them most.
Oral supplements keep things maintained day-to-day, so you’re sufficiently supported between infusions.
Together, they support everything from your energy and focus, to your immune system, recovery, and overall resilience (Gombart et al., 2020).
The Takeaway
Your body’s health is like a garden- it needs both daily attention and occasional deep care to flourish. Oral supplements are the gentle, regular watering that sustains you on the daily, while IV Therapy is the deep soak that delivers fast, efficient replenishment that brings you back to life when your body needs more nourishment.
Together they create the ideal environment for your body to feel and function at its best!
At S T R I V E, we help you combine both in a way that feels natural, sustainable, and personal to your lifestyle.
References:
National Institutes of Health (NIH). Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov
Padayatty SJ, et al. Vitamin C pharmacokinetics: implications for oral and intravenous use. Nutrients. 2016;8(9):533.
Mayo Clinic. Vitamin supplements: Hype or help? 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org
· Allen LV. Routes of drug administration and bioavailability. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2018.
Gombart AF, et al. A review of micronutrients and immune system. Nutrients. 2020;12(1):236.