Local business owner discusses pros of IV therapy

By Grace crandall Staff Writer

With gray winter days officially set in, many people are seeking a way to give their health a boost. More time indoors means less time in the sunshine, a natural source of Vitamin D and immune system support. Amongst the decade of pandemics and mental health is a search for efficient supplementation. The answer may lie in IV therapy.

Intravenous therapy, commonly referred to as IV therapy, is a way to directly deliver fluids and nutrients through veins in the body. It is the fastest way to deliver nutrients to the bloodstream, according to Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology. It remains one of the most efficient sources of hydration as well.

While perhaps not the most well-known form of supplementation, IV therapy has been a standard procedure at hospitals for many decades. It’s the shift to independent businesses that is creating attention in many cities.

For Jenn Ekpo, co-owner of InfusIV Hydration in Ann Arbor, it was important to bring IV therapy to more people. When she and her husband, Timothy, opened their IV lounge three years ago, there was nothing like it in the area. After Ekpo and her husband had seen the benefits of the therapy, they decided to bring it to Ann Arbor.

“We knew this was a great benefit because we had experienced it,” Ekpo said. “We knew there was a need for it and we knew Ann Arbor was the best place because the people are very health driven.”

InfusIV Hydration is a wellness company in downtown Ann Arbor that offers a variety of vitamin-infused IVs. The foundation of most IVs is B-complex, which helps to restore energy and overall health. This basic B-complex IV, referred to as “The Classic,” is what Ekpo recommends for newcomers.

Another popular IV infusion, called “The Hangover”, combines Zofran, for antinausea, and Toradol, for antiinflammation, along with vitamins B and C. Other infusions provide nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, and glutathione. The ultimate goal, however, remains the same: 100 percent nutrition absorption.

“When you take something orally, your body may retain 30% of it,” said Ekpo. “When you’re doing it through IV therapy, it delivers essential vitamins, nutrients, and supplements directly into the bloodstream for maximum potency, and has faster health benefits.”

When a supplement is