IV Vitamin Therapy – a popular trend amongst celebrities, but what is it?

Intravenous vitamin therapy for nonmedicinal reasons such as rehydration, immuneboosting, re-energising and de-stressing were introduced into the UK in 2014/2015. It is also believed to help with symptoms of jet-lag and sleep problems.

Intravenous vitamin therapy

It has become a very popular trend, especially among celebrities. It is a method of administering vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream.

Vitamins and minerals are naturally found in food and are generally consumed alongside other nutrients in a food matrix. Vitamins that are taken by mouth get broken down in the stomach and digestive tract and is limited to how much can be absorbed (50%). If however, the vitamin is given directly into the vein, it is absorbed in a much higher percentage (90%). There are a number of factors that affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients in the stomach. These include age, metabolism, health status, genetics, interactions with other products we consume, and the physical and chemical makeup of the nutritional supplement or food. Higher levels of the vitamins in your bloodstream lead to a greater uptake into the cells, which theoretically will use the nutrients to maintain health and fight illness.

Injecting anything into the bloodstream also comes with risks such as ‘air bubbles’ in the syringe that can transfer to the bloodstream, allergic reactions and infection. These are more likely to occur if the person administering the injection is not properly qualified.

It is important to point out that no published evidence supports the use of this therapy and very few studies are available that have tested the effectiveness.

There is however lots of anecdotal evidence from patients that have had treatments at Tocolo.

Contact Wendy at Tocolo:

T | 07824 553735 E | enquiries@tocolo.co.uk W | tocolo.co.uk Facebook | Tocolo Practitioner

Do you drink coff ee or tea? Then make it a healthy one!

Carmel Twomey LicAc, MAcS TCM. Acupuncture & Moativational Medicine Practitioner. Berkhamsted Chiropratcic Clinic, 69 High st., Berkhamsted, HP4 2DE. Phone; 07882889989 Email; carmel.acupuncture.pilates@gmail.com Website; www.carmelacupuncture.co.uk Acupuncture & Moativational Medicine Practitioner. Berkhamsted Chiropratcic Clinic, 69 High st., Berkhamsted, HP4 2DE. Phone; 07882889989 Email; carmel.acupuncture.pilates@gmail.com

Website; www.carmelacupuncture.co.uk We would love to discuss getting some samples to you or help you order a box of our amazing products.

Paul Russell - Organic Healthy Coffee [t] 07504 052 828 [e] paul.russel1@ntlworld.com

Tissue salts: back to biochemical basics

Imagine how easy life could be with a range of 12 supplements for whenever your wellbeing needs a bit of support.

The 12 tissue salts have been around for over 160 years and were formulated after a German homeopath (Dr Schuessler) found that, alongside the biological cell components, the body relies on just 12 minerals to carry out its metabolic functions. He called these 12 minerals ‘cell salts’, or ‘tissue salts’, and he

and colleagues worked out what each one did. They discovered that parts of the body with different functions need different minerals, for example bone cells and nerve cells have very different functions and therefore have different mineral needs.

Today you can buy these 12 tissue salts over the counter in selected pharmacies and health shops. You don’t need to know the detail of what each one does in order to find these useful; I’ve listed each one’s principal function and what I find it most useful for.

1calc fluor

Tissue elasticity:teeth remineralisation (with Calc phos and silica)

2calc phos

Nutrition: new bone growth after a fracture 3 calc sulph

Blood purifier: pussy boils / acne 4 ferrum phos Oxygen carrier: low iron levels even with an iron-rich diet

5kali mur

Sluggish conditions: colds or coughs (white mucus or catarrh) 6 kali phos

Nerves: pick-me-up when energy reserves are low

7kali sulph

Oxygen carrier: colds with yellow slimy mucus

8mag phos

Anti-spasmodic: period cramps or muscle spasms 9 nat mur

Water distributor: dry skin or swollen ankles 10 naT phos Acid neutraliser: intestinal worm infestation

11 nat sulph Excess water eliminator: asthma worse in humid or damp conditions 12 silica Eliminator and cleanser: deep painful spots; brittle hair and nails.

Each tissue salt is known as much by its number as by its name. I often make combinations of three or four salts to address a range of symptoms – look at the headline in bold and think what else you could use them for – the possibilities are enormous. What about digestive health? You could combine Calc phos, Mag phos and Nat phos to get a mix which could support nutrient absorption, reduce stomach pain and address acidity.

The tissue salts have an advantage over many other supplements in that they are ‘meltin-the-mouth’, ensuring more reliable absorption than supplements which are absorbed from the stomach. And, because these salts work at such a fundamental level, it’s safe to use these alongside other supplements or medication. Is there a down-side to these wonderful biochemic salts? If you are lactose intolerant be careful of the brand you buy; some are made from lactose.

Further reading Formur Inc (1994) The Biochemic Handbook, Formur Publishers

N. Lennon & L Rolfe (2004) Homeopathic Cell Salt Remedies: healing with Nature’s 12 mineral compounds, Square One Publishers

Dorothy Watt is a homeopath and educator who practices in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire and elsewhere by Skype. She enjoys working with people of all ages and offers consultations for both individuals and families. Alongside her practice her mission is to introduce homeopathy to as many people as possible! She can be contacted at www.crossroads-homeopathy.co.uk