Science & education
Understanding
Understanding
IV therapy.
A plain-language guide to how IV nutrient therapy works, what categories of nutrients are used, and why intravenous delivery is different to oral supplementation.
What is IV
nutrient therapy?
~95%
Absorption rate via IV delivery vs 10–50% orally
300+
Enzymatic reactions in the body require key minerals like magnesium
50%
Estimated decline in cellular energy coenzymes between age 40 and 60
70x
Higher plasma concentrations achievable with IV Vitamin C vs oral
IV nutrient therapy involves the intravenous administration of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream. By bypassing the digestive system entirely, nutrients are delivered to cells at concentrations that are simply not achievable through oral supplementation or diet alone.
Every treatment at strIVe is prescribed by a registered doctor and administered by a registered nurse. The specific combination of nutrients in each session is determined by clinical assessment and is tailored to the individual.
This page explains the categories of nutrients used in IV therapy — what they are, how they function in the body, and why the science of intravenous delivery matters. It is intended as general education, not as a description of any specific strIVe treatment.
Vitamins
Essential micronutrients
Vitamins are organic compounds that the body requires in small amounts to function correctly. They are essential to hundreds of biological processes — including energy metabolism, immune function, nerve signalling, and cell repair — but cannot be produced by the body in sufficient quantities, meaning they must be obtained through diet or supplementation. There are 13 essential vitamins divided into two groups. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's fatty tissues. Water-soluble vitamins — which include the B-vitamin family and Vitamin C — are not stored and must be replenished regularly. Stress, illness, poor diet, and certain medications all accelerate their depletion.
Minerals
Inorganic elements
Minerals are inorganic elements that the body needs to maintain structural integrity and regulate essential functions. They are involved in bone formation, nerve transmission, muscle contraction, fluid balance, and the activation of hundreds of enzymes. Unlike vitamins, minerals do not provide energy themselves — they enable the biological processes that produce it. Key minerals used in IV therapy include electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride, which regulate hydration and cellular communication, as well as trace minerals like zinc and selenium, which support immune function and antioxidant defence. Magnesium alone is required for over 300 enzymatic reactions and is one of the most commonly deficient minerals in modern populations.
Amino acids
Protein building blocks
Amino acids are the structural building blocks of proteins — and proteins are involved in virtually every biological process in the body. There are 20 amino acids in total, nine of which are considered essential because the body cannot synthesise them and must obtain them from food or supplementation. Beyond their role in protein synthesis, individual amino acids play highly specific functions in the body. Some act as neurotransmitters or precursors to neurotransmitters, influencing mood, focus, and nervous system regulation. Others support collagen production, liver detoxification, cardiovascular function, and cellular energy. In IV therapy, amino acids can be delivered in therapeutic concentrations that are difficult to achieve through diet or oral supplements alone.
Antioxidants
Cellular protection
Antioxidants are compounds that neutralise free radicals — unstable molecules produced during normal cellular metabolism that can damage cells, proteins, and DNA when they accumulate in excess. This process, known as oxidative stress, is linked to ageing, inflammation, and a broad range of chronic health conditions. The body produces its own antioxidants and also obtains them through diet, but levels can become depleted by illness, stress, environmental toxins, and the ageing process itself. IV delivery allows antioxidant compounds to reach therapeutic plasma concentrations significantly higher than those achievable orally — which is particularly relevant for water-soluble antioxidants, where oral bioavailability is limited by the gut's absorption capacity.
Coenzymes
Cellular catalysts
Coenzymes are non-protein compounds that work alongside enzymes to enable or accelerate specific biochemical reactions. Without adequate coenzymes, many essential metabolic processes — including energy production, DNA repair, and cellular signalling — cannot occur efficiently. Coenzymes are found naturally in every living cell and are fundamental to life at a molecular level. Levels of certain key coenzymes decline significantly with age and as a result of chronic stress, illness, and lifestyle factors, contributing to reduced cellular energy production and slower biological repair. Intravenous delivery allows coenzymes to be replenished at concentrations that support cellular function directly, bypassing the absorption limitations of oral routes.
IV base fluids
Carrier solutions
IV base fluids are the sterile solutions used to carry nutrients into the bloodstream and to restore fluid and electrolyte balance. The most common IV fluids used in nutrient therapy include balanced crystalloid solutions that closely mimic the natural composition of blood plasma. Unlike plain water, these solutions contain a calibrated balance of electrolytes that support cellular hydration without disturbing the body's fluid equilibrium. The choice of base fluid is clinically determined and forms the foundation of every IV infusion — both as a vehicle for other nutrients and as a therapeutic intervention in its own right for rehydration and electrolyte support.
How it works
Why intravenous delivery
Why intravenous delivery
is different.
Oral supplements must survive digestion before reaching your cells. IV delivery skips that process entirely. Here is what happens at each stage.
01
Clinical assessment
Every session begins with a clinical assessment. A registered doctor reviews your health history and determines suitability. A registered nurse administers your treatment on site.
02
Direct bloodstream delivery
Nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream via a small cannula, bypassing the digestive system entirely. This allows for near-complete absorption at concentrations not achievable orally.
03
Cellular uptake
Once in the bloodstream, nutrients are rapidly transported to cells throughout the body. The elevated concentrations achievable via IV allow cells to absorb what they need more effectively than through dietary intake.
04
Results and response
Many clients notice an effect during or shortly after their session. Response varies by individual, treatment type, and baseline nutrient status. Results are not guaranteed and individual outcomes differ.
Absorption comparison
Oral vs intravenous
Oral vs intravenous
bioavailability.
Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a nutrient that actually reaches systemic circulation and is available for use by cells. These are general estimates based on published research and vary between individuals and compounds.
Important: This page is intended as general educational information only. It does not describe or promote any specific strIVe treatment or ingredient. All treatments at strIVe are provided under medical prescription and clinical assessment, administered by an AHPRA-registered nurse. These therapies are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Individual results may vary. If you have questions about whether IV therapy is suitable for you, please contact us at contact@striveiv.com.au or speak with your GP.