Can I Safely Use IV Vitamins to Lose Weight?

Obesity is a major health threat worldwide. This disease is defined by excessive body fat accumulation and can lead to cardiovascular events, type 2 diabetes, inflammation, and some types of cancer.

While much of the way your body stores and retains fat is genetic, a healthy diet and exercise can help support the systems of the body and keep them healthy. Vitamins and minerals can also help boost metabolism (the system by which your body converts calories into energy) and impact how your body stores fat.

If you’re trying to lose weight or just improve your weight management program, vitamin supplements may give your metabolism a much-needed boost. 

IV Vitamins for Weight Loss

What role does metabolism play in weight loss?

Metabolism is a chemical process where the body converts food and drink into energy. During this complex process, calories are combined with oxygen to release the energy the body needs to function. 

Metabolism is a continuous, 24/7 process, at work even when the body is at rest. It constantly provides energy for basic functions, such as:

  • breathing
  • circulating blood
  • digesting food
  • growing and repairing cells
  • managing hormone levels
  • regulating body temperature 

This process works differently in different people. Metabolism is mostly determined by genes, a basic unit of heredity passed down from parents and ancestors.

“People might have fast, slow, or average metabolism, regardless of their body size and composition,” says Dr. Chih-Hao Lee, professor of genetics and complex diseases at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

A faster metabolism will burn more calories when your body is at rest than an average metabolism. And — as the name implies — a slow metabolism will burn fewer calories when at rest and makes you more prone to weight gain.

“You can manipulate your metabolism to a degree,” says Dr. Lee. “It is often a small change that may help you burn more calories. That, along with adopting a healthier diet and making sure you get enough exercise, may give people the extra push they need to lose and maintain weight.” 

Do vitamins play a role in boosting metabolism?

Vitamins help with weight loss, as they are involved in the biochemical pathways that are the sum total of metabolism. Optimal health benefits can be achieved from a combination of vitamins, healthy eating, and exercise.

At IV Vitamin Therapy, we offer many vitamin and mineral supplements that can help support weight loss.

B-complex vitamins

The B-complex vitamins include:

  • thiamine (B1)
  • riboflavin (B2)
  • niacin (B3)
  • pantothenic acid (B5)
  • pyridoxine (B6)
  • biotin (B7)
  • folate (B9)
  • cobalamin (B12) 

Individual vitamins within the B vitamin group work together to exert health-promoting effects that play essential roles in energy metabolism. A deficiency in one of the B vitamins can affect other B vitamins, which can disrupt metabolism. 

  • Vitamin B12 is essential for the metabolism of proteins and fats. B12 needs B6 and B9 to function properly.
  • Vitamin B6 is also involved in protein metabolism.
  • Vitamin B1 is involved in the metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

A healthy metabolism ensures the body uses fat, protein, and carbohydrates for energy rather than storing them as fat.

Vitamin D

The body converts sunlight into vitamin D. A lifestyle or a geographic location that limits sun exposure and time outdoors may be associated with a low level of vitamin D — at which point doctors recommend vitamin D supplementation

Spending time outdoors helps maintain a sense of well-being and an optimal energy level. Being outdoors is a great source of vitamin D and may enhance the ability to maintain a healthy diet and remain motivated to exercise. This is an indirect connection between vitamin D and weight loss.

A 2011 study found a link between obesity and low vitamin D levels. In fact, increasing vitamin D may be a factor in weight loss. Overweight adults taking calcium and vitamin D supplements as part of the study lost significantly more stomach fat than people not taking any supplements.

Vitamin C

Cardiovascular health, inflammation, and some cancers are often related to an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Therefore, antioxidant-based treatments — like vitamin C supplementation — could counteract some complications of obesity.

A study published in The Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology demonstrated that vitamin C intake is negatively associated with the occurrence of several conditions: high blood pressure, high blood sugar (type 2 diabetes), gallbladder disease, stroke, cancers, atherosclerosis, and the onset of obesity. The vitamin C weight loss connection appears to be indirect.

Magnesium

Magnesium plays many crucial roles in the body. This mineral is involved in the conduction of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and supports normal heart rhythm through its role in the transport of calcium and potassium.

The heart, muscles, and kidneys all need magnesium to work properly.

What is the connection between magnesium and weight loss? Some studies suggest magnesium may help regulate blood sugar and insulin levels in people who are overweight or obese.

Glutathione

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant produced in the body. It participates in the process that allows the body to shift from fat production to muscle development.

Increased muscle mass means an increase in metabolism. As we age, the amount of muscle mass decreases, so — proportionally — fat accounts for more of our body mass, slowing down the number of calories burned.

Glutathione contributes to overall health by improving sleep, memory, muscle recovery, and decreasing inflammation.

Iron

Iron helps the body convert food to energy and assists in distributing oxygen to cells throughout the body — including muscle cells. This helps the body burn fat.

Iron ​influences athletic performance​ and post-workout recovery due to its role in energy metabolism and the production of enzymes, substances that act as catalysts to bring about a biochemical reaction.

The National Institutes of Health states that most Americans obtain sufficient iron from food, including:

  • green peas
  • spinach
  • pasta
  • mushrooms
  • meat
  • fish
  • fortified breakfast cereal

Does green tea extract help with weight loss?

Green tea appears to have weight loss effects. It contains bioactive substances that burn calories, even at rest. Green tea extract is not a vitamin or mineral, but a highly concentrated form of the popular tea.

Green tea is thought to increase energy expenditure (the work the body does at rest) and fat oxidation (the process of breaking down fatty acids), and reduce fat production and absorption.

Tea also contains caffeine. An analysis of six controlled clinical trials found that caffeine alone significantly increased energy expenditure when compared to a placebo.

The study links the combination of green tea and exercise to accelerated belly fat loss in obese adults. Green tea supplements reduced body weight in obese individuals by an average of nearly two pounds, as compared to placebo.

Catechins (powerful antioxidants) in green tea may help with high blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels, which lower the risk of heart disease.

Does calcium help you lose weight?

While dairy products can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy weight, calcium supplements don’t actually contribute to weight loss. Getting your calcium from food sources rather than dietary supplements.

Dairy products contain protein and other benefits that contribute to feelings of fullness.

Why use IV vitamins for weight loss?

Unlike multivitamin tablets, IV vitamin infusions can be specially tailored to your individual vitamin needs. At IV Vitamin Therapy, our 20- to 60-minute IV treatment combines the best vitamins for your weight loss goals. These energy-enhancing vitamins help burn fat and assist with maintaining a healthy weight. We base the levels of vitamins on your individual needs.

Vitamins and weight loss supplements can cause side effects or interact with medications. Always consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any supplementation or new diet or exercise routine.

Why choose IV Vitamin Therapy to support your weight loss journey?

Dr. David Nazarian is board certified in internal medicine and highly trained in the field of traditional and alternative medicine. He has been utilizing IV fluids and vitamin replacement therapies in conjunction with other treatment modalities to treat a variety of medical illnesses and conditions for over 10 years. 

Our medical office follows strict guidelines and standards to ensure each patient receives the highest quality sterile vitamins compounded from the best pharmacies.

We are confident that if you have received IV vitamin treatments at other places, you will recognize the superior quality of our vitamins, our facility, and our practice.

Where can I get IV hydration therapy near me?

Busy? Our mobile IV therapy will come to you. Many of our clients who prefer to receive injections in the privacy of a home, hotel room, or office can choose our popular concierge house call service for mobile IV.

IV Vitamin Therapy is conveniently located in Beverly Hills and can provide IV services to your home, hotel room, or office throughout the Los Angeles area. We serve patients near Beverly Hills, Bel Air, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Downtown Los Angeles, Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Northridge, North Hollywood, Topanga, Canoga Park, Reseda, Valley Glen, Chatsworth, West Hills, Orange County, Winnetka, Universal City, Silverlake, and Echo Park.

Book now at 855-999-5577

Resources

Mason, C. et. al; Vitamin D3 supplementation during weight loss: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.; American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24622804