Myers Cocktail is a type of intravenous micronutrient therapy that builds on the work of the late John Myer MD, who believed intravenous delivery of nutrients and minerals could help treat a wide range of conditions including asthma, migraine headaches, acute allergy reactions, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, etc.
More recently the use of the Myers to boost health, and athletic performance and recovery, has shown promising results.
Ingredients
B-complex Vitamins including:
- B-1 (thiamine)
- B-2 (riboflavin)
- B-3 (niacin)
- B-5 (pantothenic acid)
- B-6 (pyridoxine)
- B-7 (biotin)
- B-9 (folic acid)
- B-12 (hydroxycobalamin)
All crucial building blocks of the body, working at a cellular level to improve brain function, energy levels and cell metabolism while preventing infection and cellular degradation.
Vitamin B12
Primarily obtained through diet from dairy and meat and plays a critical role in ensuring blood and nerve health. The body also uses it to build, repair and regenerate DNA, making it an essential micronutrient in core cellular processes. Vitamin B12 also prevents megaloblastic anemia, characterized by chronic tiredness and weakness.
Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid is an essential dietary component that acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body. When present at elevated levels, it neutralizes free radicals that destroy cells. Vitamin C also plays a role in generating collagen and regulating the absorption of iron, both of which help accelerate tissue healing.
Magnesium
Magnesium is active in more than three hundred enzymatic processes in the body. Its functions include blood glucose control, protein synthesis, and muscle and nerve function. In addition, it is a cofactor in energy production, bone structure development, DNA and RNA synthesis, and the transportation of calcium and potassium for healthy nerve and heart function.
Calcium
Calcium is an essential nutrient and research has shown its role in vascular contraction and vasodilation, muscle functions, bone maintenance, nerve transmission, intracellular signalling and hormone secretion.
Does Vitamin Therapy improve athletic performance?
The adverse effects of restricted intakes of protein, fat and carbohydrate on physical performance are well known, but there is limited information about the impact of low intake of vitamins on the exercise capacity and performance of humans. In contrast to vitamins, marginal mineral deficiencies impair performance. Magnesium deprivation increases oxygen requirements to complete sub maximal exercise and reduces endurance performance.
Calcium also plays an important role in athletic performance.
“Force declines when muscles are used repeatedly and intensively and a variety of intracellular mechanisms appear to contribute to this muscle fatigue. Intracellular calcium release declines during fatigue and has been shown to contribute to the reduction in force.”
General benefits of intravenous Vitamin Therapy
Stronger immunity
Immunity breaks down when multiple cellular functions fail or become compromised. All components in a Myers Cocktail enhance cellular function, making them more capable of fighting off infection. For example, B-complex vitamins B-5 and B-6 promote antibody formation and increase the antigenic response to infection.
Increased hydration
Myers Cocktail IV therapy has a saline and electrolyte solution base that immediately increases the body’s hydration levels. Unlike drinking water and other fluids, the isotonic solution delivers hydration straight to the body cells quickly and efficiently, providing fast recovery from dehydration and promoting hydration maintenance pre physical challenge.
Better nerve and bone health
A Myers Cocktail improves overall nerve and bone health through the various actions of its components. For example, vitamin B12 directly influences nerve regeneration and Magnesium and Calcium can reduce the effects of age-related osteoporosis.
Improved blood and circulation health Blood health reduces fatigue, increases performance levels, and boosts general wellbeing. Vitamin B12 and B-complex vitamins promote blood health by stimulating red blood cell generation, iron absorption, cellular health, and increasing turnover worn-out red blood cells. Other components, like magnesium and Vitamin C, promote circulation health through improved cellular health.
Boosted energy levels
Myers Cocktail IV therapy rapidly boosts energy levels through the fast delivery of vitamins to cells. B-complex vitamins and magnesium are particularly potent in this regard because they contribute to cellular energy production. Boosted energy can be helpful in pre-game preparation and post-game sport recovery.
Enhanced mood and vitality
Vitamin B12 promotes the production of serotonin, a feel-good hormone that wards off feelings of depression and malaise when released. Increased levels of Vitamin C in the blood can also improve the mood and stimulate an increased sense of vitality and wellbeing.
Sharper memory
Low levels of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C can impair your ability to remember things. Other challenges that also emerge at low concentration levels are inability to retain information, and low mental performance.
Myers Cocktail delivers high concentrations of both vitamins, jumpstarting the brain and increasing recall, memory capacity, and overall cognitive performance – even in individuals with age-related memory capacity reduction.
Improved Sleep
Melatonin is a hormone that promotes sleep, helping modulate the body’s circadian cycle. When an individual has low melatonin levels, their sleep cycle becomes interrupted, resulting in poor sleep.
Myers Cocktail provides magnesium and B-complex vitamins, both actively involved in the production and release of melatonin, helping return the body to a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
Reduced jet lag
The disruption of the internal sleep-wake (circadian) cycle when you cross time zones causes jet lag. Myers Cocktail reduces jet lag by increasing melatonin production, improving overall body hydration and helping restore a regularized sleep-wake cycle.
Faster recovery
Dehydration, inflammation, and reduced blood sugar are all common post high performance sports. Myers Cocktail IV therapy provides rapid hydration, a critical factor in accelerating recovery and stabilizing electrolytes. In addition, other components like magnesium, B-complex and C vitamins boost energy and enhance vitality.
A Myers Cocktail infusion takes approximately 1 hour and is administered by an experienced Registered Nurse in your choice of locale. Multiple clients can be infused concurrently in a group setting.
For further information please contact:
Deirdre Calder RN
Concierge Wellness
dcalder@conciergewellness.nl 709-763-3452
References
1. Lukaski HC. Vitamin and mineral status: effects on physical performance. Nutrition. 2004 Jul-Aug;20(7-8):632-44. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2004.04.001. PMID: 15212745.
2. Allen DG, Kabbara AA, Westerblad Hk. Muscle fatigue: the role of intracellular calcium stores. Can J Appl Physiol. 2002 Feb;27(1):83-96. doi: 10.1139/h02-006. PMID: 11880693.
3. Axelrod AE. Role of the B vitamins in the immune response. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1981;135:93-106. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4615-9200-6_5. PMID: 7010964.
4. Gaby AR. Intravenous nutrient therapy: the “Myers’ cocktail”. Altern Med Rev. 2002 Oct;7(5):389-403. PMID: 12410623.
5. Beto JA. The role of calcium in human aging. Clin Nutr Res. 2015 Jan;4(1):1-8. doi: 10.7762/cnr.2015.4.1.1. Epub 2015 Jan 16. PMID: 25713787; PMCID: PMC4337919.