Page 20 - Masala Lite Issue 169 January 2025

20 SPILL THE CHAI

· Getting the ‘wrong’ amount of vitamins or ‘too many’ minerals in a short amount
Amornrat Sidhu of time can be poisonous or cause imbalances which can lead to heart or kidney
impairment.
discusses the pros and cons 4. Pain at the site during the procedure is a con.

of the IV drip trend. Advice from Medical Professionals:

1. Only get vitamin infusions after doing a blood test at a hospital.
ntravenous therapy has become increasingly popular and normalised in Infusions will only be useful if they are used to replenish the deficiencies you do have.

the last few years, but much more accessible to Thai-Indians in recent Guesswork on what deficiencies you may have been a complete no-no.

times. When aunties and eligible ladies (and lads) grace their skin laser
appointments, they can now simultaneously needle in a session of intravenous 2. Get any infusion only from medical professionals, every single time.
vitamin therapy too (at some clinics). Let’s pinpoint the pros and cons of IV There have been cases of anaphylactic shock during these procedures and having an
vitamin therapies and explore what Thai-Indians might gain from this ripe hype. ER team on standby is of most importance. Furthermore, your vitamin infusion is
checked and approved..

3. Keep in mind how the placebo effect might affect your experience, for research
THE HISTORY AND THE HYPE on the efficiency of infusions is murky. Thus, go only for infusions that work directly

according to the deficiencies you have based on a blood test.
In the 1960s, John Myers was the first to patent vitamin infusions for treatment of

fibromyalgia and other conditions. More recently, celebrity siblings, Arjan and Janhvi A couple of community members chime in:
Kapoor, have been photographed with IV catheters in their arms and smiles on their
faces, glorifying intravenous hydration and vitamin therapy. Not to mention, many

Netflix shows, such as Selling Sunset, casually show celebrities receiving drips as part JASNAM SACHDEV
of their recovery routine for a wild night out. Why waste time on nursing a hangover, Program Manager
when you can hydrate in under an hour while reading your favourite book or chatting
with your favourite person?
I was not so exposed to the world of IV drips
to boost health before. I met a doctor of
DRIPS OVER SIPS: THE PROS
naturopathy a few months ago, and she has
been taking care of my overall well-being. I
1. Inject Direct
used to always get sick and have a constant
With intravenous drips, the infusion is injected directly into the bloodstream, sore throat, but after she suggested I do an
circumventing the digestive system. This means: IV drip to boost my Vitamin C and D levels,
I have been feeling great!

· A faster absorption – feel the effects quicker.
I definitely see the value in doing
· A fuller absorption – the potency of the concoction/medication reduces when it intravenous infusions if the body is lacking
bypasses the digestive system due to gastrointestinal processes and the time-lapse. in some manner. Sometimes, we try to
orally take vitamins and it just doesn’t seem

Thus, there are claims that desired results are immediate and significant. to work!

2. Personalised Treatment I was definitely very hesitant at first, but
after realising that I was indeed catching
Technically, one must reveal your allergies, any conditions, and medical history for a every cold that seemed to be lurking around,
personalised plan on the desired outcome. Are you looking to rejuvenate your skin or I thought I’d give it a try. As parents, we,
boost your immunity? Furthermore, if you want to opt for someone to come home too, are susceptible to illness because we
for the therapy, that is possible as well. Over the session, there should be someone are overworked and overtired—and also
to monitor your blood pressure and other vitals throughout. exposed to all the germs that our kids
3. Under One Hour bring home from school! It has been a few
months since I underwent the infusion, and
Should you need to hydrate from a hangover, why not feel better in under an hour I hope it will continue to keep me strong!
compared to consciously downing mineral water and Panadol over the course of a
day—feeling grumpy all the while? All treatments can be completed between 30-60
minutes, so there are “quick fixes” for many problems that would take more time to

show significant results.

INDERPAL SINGH SIDHU
Self-employed
RISKS OF DRIPS: THE CONS
There are a few dangers one should be aware of when and if undergoing this therapy:
My immediate opinion is that vitamin
1. This therapy, particularly if opted for at an independent clinic, will not be covered infusions are a sham, although I don’t know

by insurance. Thus, if there are side effects, you will pay for it, literally. much about them, to be honest. I think that
it is much easier to take specific vitamins

2. Allergies to the vitamins are possible. Allergies to the preservatives in the cocktails orally and if recommended by a doctor.
are possible. The most life-threatening reaction is anaphylactic shock which can be fatal.
Regarding general immunity and hydration,
3. Many studies have shown that these therapies are actually futile. I would much rather drink water and have
They emphasise that: a general multivitamin in the comfort of

my own home, or on-the-go at work, than

· Our bodies can only absorb a small amount of minerals and vitamins. Excess Vitamin go specifically for an hour-long injection.
C and Vitamin D, for example, will be excreted through urine. However, doctors have
highlighted how excess vitamins can increase the likelihood of stones in the urethra.

It all depends on how our “filtration system” works from person to person.
MASAL A LITE ISSUE 169 - JANUARY 2025