IV Therapy vs. Supplements: What Actually Gets You Feeling Better Faster?

May 15

Whether you're battling fatigue, low immunity, or stress, chances are you've reached for a vitamin bottle at some point. But what if your daily supplements aren’t doing as much as you think?

More people in Ottawa are turning to IV therapy for faster, more effective wellness results—especially when it comes to essential nutrients like vitamin B12, vitamin C, and magnesium.

So what’s the real difference between popping pills and getting an IV drip?

Let’s break it down.

It All Starts with Absorption

The biggest difference between supplements and IV therapy?

Bioavailability—which simply means how much of the nutrient your body actually absorbs and uses.
Oral supplements go through your digestive system, where a significant portion is lost due to stomach acid, enzymes, and absorption limits.
IV therapy, on the other hand, delivers nutrients directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the gut entirely for nearly 100% absorption.

That means you feel the effects faster—and they’re often stronger and longer-lasting.

The Vitamin Showdown: B12, C, and Magnesium

Let’s look at three of the most common nutrients clients ask about—and how they compare when taken orally vs. via IV.

Vitamin B12

Oral supplements: Only 1–2% of B12 is absorbed if taken in pill form, especially if you have low stomach acid (which is common with age or stress).
IV therapy: Direct absorption = immediate energy boost, mental clarity, and mood support.

When to use IV: If you’re feeling sluggish, foggy, or stressed out—even after taking daily B12.

Vitamin C

Oral limit: Your body can only absorb about 200–500mg of vitamin C at a time orally. Higher doses often cause GI issues like cramping or diarrhea.
IV advantage: You can safely absorb high-dose vitamin C—up to several grams—when delivered via IV, with zero stomach upset.

When to use IV: For immune support, skin brightening, or recovery from illness, stress, or travel.

Magnesium

Oral absorption: Roughly 30–40% makes it through your digestive system, and too much can cause laxative effects.
IV delivery: Allows for therapeutic dosing without the bathroom side effects, helping with muscle relaxation, sleep, and anxiety relief.

When to use IV: If you deal with tension, sleep struggles, migraines, or high stress.

When Supplements Might Still Work

To be fair—oral supplements aren’t useless.

They’re great for:

Daily maintenance if you’re already healthy
Topping up when your diet is missing certain nutrients
Budget-friendly wellness on a tight schedule

But when you're run-down, recovering, or want fast results?
IV therapy is a game changer.

IV Therapy in Ottawa: Where to Try It

At Alive IVs, we tailor every drip to your body’s needs. Whether you need a B12 energy boost, high-dose vitamin C, or magnesium for stress relief, we deliver high-potency nutrients directly to you—at your home, hotel, or event.

Book now: aliveivs.com
Follow along: @revivewithalive

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been loading up on vitamins and still don’t feel a difference, it’s not you—it’s the delivery method.

IV therapy skips the digestive guesswork and gives your body exactly what it needs, fast.

Try it once, and you’ll understand why Ottawa’s wellness community is making the switch.

Book your customized IV therapy today and start feeling the difference—fast.

Mitch Dupuis