Vitamin IV drip therapy seems to be growing in popularity by the day with a number of celebrities backing the health effects of ‘dripping’. 

Claims that these drips help to cure hangovers, boost your immune system, give you a healthier glow and fight lethargy are a big reason as to why so many people are paying a pretty penny to get pricked and spend 20 minutes or more hooked up to a drip packed with vital vitamins. 

But just how effective are these drips? Can they really boost your health from just one drip? What are the side effects? Can you get a bad reaction? We did some digging into the science of vitamin drips and here’s what we found out…

What is IV vitamin drip therapy? 

Vitamin drips consist of a blend of a saltwater solution and carefully picked vitamins (depending on what kind of drip you choose) to help strengthen your immune system, overcome jet lag and cure a hangover. Other supposed outcomes include healthy skin, energy boost, enhanced mood, sports recovery, anti-inflammation and even a brain boost.  

IV stands for intravenous. This means that a concentrated dose of vitamins is injected directly into the bloodstream, allowing these vitamins and minerals to bypass the digestive system, which some have claimed allows the body to obtain more nutrients as the digestive process is avoided. 

How much do vitamin drips cost?

Most drip bars (which seem to be popping up all over South Africa at the moment), offer a selection of drip cocktails for you to choose from. The costs of these drips can range from R650 to R1000 or more (for one drip). 

What do vitamin drips contain?

The base of all vitamin drips typically contains vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium and magnesium. This is typically known as a ‘Jet Fuel’ or ‘Myers Cocktail’. This combination of vitamins was inspired by Dr John Myers who was a mastermind behind the use of intravenously administered vitamins during the 1950s. 

Does IV vitamin therapy really work?

IV therapy is nothing new and has been used in medicine for decades. It is most commonly used to administer essential nutrients and hydrate hospital and sick patients if they have issues with gut absorption, or difficulties eating and drinking. Which is why a number of experts question the use of these drips for healthy individuals. 

It might sound like an impressive feat to combat the above list of ailments and issues (hangover cure, immune-boosting etc.). But it is also important to note that the evidence to support these claims is anecdotal (based on personal accounts rather than facts or research).

What does the research say?

One doctor, in particular, Rick Pescatore, who works as an emergency physician and the director of clinical research in Philadelphia said that IV drips for healthy people are a little more than snake oil. 

He also mentioned that there is no data to support the use of these drips and their health benefits. 

There is, however, one review that studied the use of the Myers Cocktail, but this research is also a collection of anecdotal evidence. 

A different study examined the effectiveness of IV therapy in reducing the symptoms of chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia in 34 people. This study found that there was no significant difference between those who received IV vitamin therapy once a week for 8 weeks and those who did not.

The authors of the study noted that there was a significant placebo effect, meaning that a number of patients noted how their symptoms improved when receiving a ‘dummy’ vitamin cocktail. 

Which makes you think that perhaps the effect these drips have is a placebo one?

What are the risks of IV vitamin therapy?

It turns out, that even when it comes to things that are supposedly good for you like minerals and vitamins, you can still have too much of a good thing. 

Vitamin A, for example, is a fat-soluble vitamin. If you take in more than your body needs, then your body will store it and you risk damage to major organs, such as the liver. 

IV vitamin cocktails also contain large amounts of water-soluble vitamins like vitamin B and vitamin C. These vitamins are processed through the kidneys and excreted into your urine when the body can no longer store them. Which basically makes for some very expensive urine. 

You also run the risk of infection as a needle is inserted into your bloodstream. 

If you suffer from kidney, heart or blood pressure issues then doctors suggest you should not have IV therapy as there is a risk of fluid overload which can lead to delayed wound healing, impaired bowel function and heart failure. 

However, drip bars will make you fill in and sign a form where you can state any health concerns you may have. They should also warn you against any potential implications. 

What are the benefits of IV therapy?

Of course, there are also some possible benefits of IV therapy. Most doctors suggest you have IV therapy if you are sick, unwell, incredibly stressed, dehydrated or suffer from a digestive issue such as celiac’s disease. IV therapy will help deliver the vitamins your body might struggle to digest when obtained from food. 

Drip bar owners and therapists will also inform you that IV therapy is no quick-fix. Combined with a healthy diet, exercise and proper sleep and stress coping techniques, you should not need it. 

What’s the bottom line?

It’s important that you chat with your doctor before trying any new health treatment. And while IV vitamin therapy might energize and revitalise you, the best cure for an unhealthy lifestyle and stress is a healthy diet, exercise, sleep and stress-coping techniques such as mindfulness.

There is no such thing as a quick-fix and although there are a number of claims supporting both sides of the argument when it comes to IV Vitamin Therapy, there just isn’t enough concrete evidence to support the benefits of vitamin drips. And whilst vitamin therapy is something that has been used in hospitals and doctors rooms to treat sick and unwell patients, if you are someone who is generally healthy, then there may be little to no benefit for you. 

Of course, at the end of the day the decision is yours to make, but at roughly R650 a pop, we will be saving our money for healthy food and perhaps a gym membership. What are your thoughts?

Take the first step to a healthier, wellthier you, with us.

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that a number of people deal with on a daily basis. If you suffer from anxiety, you are probably quite familiar with people telling you to “just stop worrying” or “it’s not even that big of a deal” and of course “you have no reason to panic”. And although it might seem as though there is no reason to feel anxious, something inside of you firmly believes there is, and you can’t seem to control that something.  

The thing is, anxiety is a very real and a very difficult issue to deal with. 

Everyone feels anxious from time to time. But those with anxiety have anxious feelings that never seem to go away. They can pop up without any warning or any particular cause and make it incredibly difficult to deal with daily life. 

From your personal and social life to your work life, anxiety has a habit of rearing it’s nasty head when you least expect it. And while this might seem more manageable in the comfort of your own home, dealing with anxiety at work is a monster all on its own. 

Anxiety can be crippling at times but at the end of the day, you are in control of your mind. By knowing and implementing these 4 techniques, you will be able to cope better and be more productive in the workplace (goodbye morning meeting jitters). 

1. Identify your triggers

While it might not always seem as though anxiety has a specific cause, there are certain situations that are known to spike anxiety. 

Whether this is receiving feedback, replying to important emails or attending a status meeting. 

The trick is to keep a daily journal at work (the notepad on your phone also works really well) of what situations trigger your anxiety. 

If being late for work and rushing in the morning is one of your triggers, then you can combat this with waking up earlier, writing your to-do list the night before and even laying out your clothes the night before. 

Know your triggers and develop coping mechanisms to deal with them. 

2. Make sure you are eating and drinking right

This might sound obvious, but often when we get into an anxious state, we forget to eat lunch or drink water. Now, I’m not saying that a healthy meal and a glass of water is some kind of magic formula to cure anxiety, but it will certainly help your body to perform better. 

A healthy body creates a healthy mind and a healthy mind is less likely to be plagued by anxious thoughts. 

Pack your lunch the night before and some healthy snacks to keep your energy levels up throughout the day. 

When it’s time for a snack or a meal, make sure you take the time to eat and drink water. Your body will thank you for it (trust me, that one email can wait 10 minutes while you have a sandwich). 

Have a look at some lunch recipe ideas right here. 

3. Breathe deep

Anxiety seems to take over with little to no warning. Before we know it, our shoulders are tense, our jaws are tight and we feel like we can’t breathe. 

When this happens you need to check in with your breathing. A good technique is to practice circular breathing, this is when you breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds and out through your mouth for 4 seconds. 

The next time something stressful happens and your feel triggered, take a step back and breathe deep. Practice the above technique until you feel a sense of calm come over you. It works wonders. 

4. Get some fresh air

When the emails are flying in, your boss is breathing down your neck and you have what seem like all the deadlines in the world to meet, you need to take a 5-minute break. 

While this might seem counterproductive in knowing how much work you have on your plate right now, a 5-minute break to breathe, get some fresh air, have some water and even meditate outside, will do you the world of good. 

When you are working in an anxious state, you are more likely to make mistakes and get even more worked up. So, get up from your desk, tell your boss you just need some water and take a few deep breaths. 

The thing is, you’re going to be okay, even when it doesn’t always feel like it. 

Some food could help with that

Certain foods and nutrients can also help promote feelings of calm. Have a look at these delicious meals to help with anxiety, stress and depression. 

It turns out, you may need for than a cup of milk a day to help get strong and healthy bones! As well as regular exercise, you also need to make sure you are eating the right foods.

Calcium is a vital nutrient for the promotion of healthy bones. There are a number of delicious meals that are naturally high in calcium, specifically dairy products. But it’s not just calcium that helps build strong bones, vitamin K, potassium and magnesium help too (which are found in fruits and veggies).

We did the research and the taste tests and found the most deliciously scrumptious (and simple) meals to promote healthy bones…

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Did you know that your bones are living tissue? They contain blood vessels, nerves and bone marrow, which is where blood cells are formed? 

Our body’s natural cycle of bone renewal

Your bones are constantly breaking down and rebuilding themselves, the construction of our bones never ends, it is a constant cycle of renewal as old bone is broken down and new bone is built. 

If our bones did not repair and reinforce themselves, we would suffer from broken bones on a daily basis. 

When we are under the age of 20, our bodies form more bone than we lose. The majority of adults will reach their peak bone mass by the age of 25. Which is really young! The trick is to focus on building your bone mass when you are younger and maintaining these healthy lifestyle choices as you get older. 

But it’s never too late to lead a healthy life! 

Losing bone mass as we get older 

When we are around the age of 30, we start to lose more bone than our bodies create. If not enough bone mass is created when we are younger or if bone loss occurs when we are older, then our risk of fragile bones and osteoporosis is increased. 

This may sound rather overwhelming, but the thing is, there are a number of diet and lifestyle changes you can make to build strong and healthy bones and maintain them as you get older. 

Natural ways to build healthy bones

1. Calcium 

You may already know that calcium is great for building healthy and strong bones. Calcium is, in fact, a vital nutrient for building bones and slowing down the pace of bone loss. 

However, calcium cannot work alone in promoting healthy bones. Some experts even suggest that over-consumption of calcium or dairy products (a great source of calcium) may be bad for your body. 

Luckily, it’s easy to ensure you are getting the right amount of calcium. 

How much calcium do I need? 

The recommended daily intake for calcium is 1000mg for adults up to the age of 50 and 1,200mg for those who are older than 50, as this is when bone loss starts to speed up. 

As we get older, our intestines start to absorb LESS calcium from our food and the kidneys also seem to be less effective at conserving calcium. Because of this, your body might start to take calcium from your bones (Yikes! Somebody please pass the milk!). 

The best way to ensure you are getting enough calcium is through food. 

What foods are rich in calcium? 

• Seeds
• Milk and Cheese
• Yoghurt
• Sardines and Canned Salmon
• Beans and Lentils
• Almonds
• Whey Protein
• Some Leafy Greens

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential to promoting healthy bones. Vitamin D is basically the Robin to the Batman that is calcium. 

Vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium. 

You can get vitamin D from food sources and supplements. Sunlight is also a great way to get a good dose of this amazing vitamin. Your body needs roughly 1000 IU of vitamin D daily. 

If you can, try to spend roughly 5 to 30 minutes in the sun, between 10 am and 3 pm, twice a week. Make sure your face, arms, legs and lack soak up the rays without sunscreen. If you have fair skin, then limit this exposure to 10 minutes. 

3. Exercise 

Make sure you perform strength training and resistance training. Have a look at our excellent blog post: 1 PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. 10 MOVES. ALL THE SWEAT to get you started! 

Here’s another goodie: 8 REASONS WHY EVERY WOMAN SHOULD LIFT WEIGHTS. Did you know that women have a higher risk of osteoporosis compared to men? Even more reason to hit the gym! 

Moving your body through active exercises helps to build more muscle and build strong and healthy bones. 

A recent study also found that aerobic exercises such as jogging, walking and dancing helped improve calcium absorption in the upper body and upper thighs. 

4. Protein 

Make sure you are getting enough protein. In fact, 50% of our bones are made up of protein. Studies have found that a low protein diet decreases calcium absorption and might also affect the rate at which our bones form and break down. 

5. Collagen

There isn’t much research on the effects of collagen as yet, but some early evidence suggests that taking a collagen supplement can help protect your bone health. 

Collagen is one of the main proteins found in your bones. It contains vital amino acids (proline, glycine and lysine) which help promote bone health and build strong muscles. 

How healthy are your bones?

It’s time to grab your running shoes, hit the gym, improve your diets and increase your supplement intake. 

To many, it may come as a surprise that you don’t have to eat meat to build muscle (vegans rejoice!). Which means that there is no reason for you to worry whether or not you are getting enough protein on a vegan diet.

In fact, studies have found that it does not make a difference whether or not your protein comes from animals or plants. The key to building lean muscle is how much you workout, how you workout, the amount of protein you consume and the times when you consume it.

In this article, we are going to show you how easy it is to gain lean muscle on a vegan diet in 4 simple steps…

Plant protein to build muscle: Does it work as well as meat protein?

Let’s get into the facts…

A recent study found that the short answer to this question is…yes!

The researchers in the study found that plant protein is just as effective to aid in muscle growth and strength as meat and animal protein.

Why does your body need protein?

Protein helps your body to repair and build muscle. Which is why it is so important to consume it after a hard workout.

Protein is a vital element of every single cell in your body. Your hair and nails mostly consist of protein. Your body will use protein to produce enzymes, hormones and other important chemicals. Simply put – protein is an essential building block of your muscles, bones, blood and skin.

Protein is a macronutrient. This means that your body needs large amounts of it. Minerals and vitamins are known as micronutrients, which means that your body only needs small amounts of these.

Did you know that your body stores carbs and fats but it cannot store protein? Which means we need to ensure we are getting enough protein in our daily diets.

But the thing is, you may need less protein than you think.

1. Make sure you are getting the right amount of protein

The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for protein is 0.8 grams of protein per each kilogram of your body weight.

The easiest way to work this out is to calculate what your minimum protein requirement is in grams and multiply this by your body weight.

So, a person who weighs 70kgs will need 56 grams of protein a day.

If you are someone who regularly works out, then you will need to include a bit more protein in your diet. Experts suggest this amount to be 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kg of bodyweight. Although, 1.5 grams per kilogram is a good amount to work with.

That’s roughly 84 to 140 grams a day for someone who weighs 70 kgs.

Expert tip – Apps like MyFitnessPal are great ways to track your protein consumption and get a good idea of how much protein you are consuming at each meal.

2. Make sure you pair your proteins correctly

Amino acids are known as the building blocks of protein. Your body is able to create some of its own amino acids, but it heavily relies on food to supply the bulk of them.

The amino acids your body cannot create on its own are referred to as essential amino acids. Here’s why you need to know this…

There are 2 different varieties of protein. The first of which is known as complete protein – this type of protein contains the 9 essential amino acids that your body cannot make.

The other type of protein is known as incomplete protein and this does not contain all of the 9 essential aminos.

The majority of plant proteins are incomplete, the only exceptions are chia, hemp, soy and quinoa. All meat proteins are complete proteins.

This is why it’s important to ensure you pair your foods correctly to get the complete protein you need.

Pairing sources of plant protein together to provide all the essential amino acids is known as complementary proteins.

Here are some pairing examples:

• Barley and lentils
• Whole wheat pita and hummus
• Almonds and oats
• Whole grain bread and nut butter
• Brown rice and beans
• Tempeh or tofu with quinoa and brown rice

3. Amazing plant protein sources

For optimal strength and muscle growth, you need to eat around 25 grams of protein at each main meal.

Here are some great examples of plant-based foods that are high in protein:

Beans, legumes and lentils

Kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas are all great sources of protein. The protein content of each will vary slightly. For example, one cup of canned kidney beans will contain roughly 13 grams of protein. The same amount of lentils will contain 18 grams.

Tofu and soy products

Soy is something you can never get tired of. Soy products such as tofu are a great way to ensure you get protein in your diet and they make for a great meat alternative.

Soy cheese, yoghurt and tempeh are all delicious and healthy!

Tempeh is made from slightly fermented, cooked soybeans that are formed into patties. Roughly 100 grams of tempeh contains 18 grams of protein.

Quinoa and whole grains

Quinoa is known as the powerhouse of wholegrain protein. One cup of cooked quinoa contains 18 grams of protein and 9 grams of fibre.

Wholegrain bread, brown rice, barley and bulgar wheat are all rich in protein and relatively inexpensive.

Nuts and seeds

Cashews, walnuts, peanuts and almonds all contain protein. The same goes for sunflower and sesame seeds.

However, most nuts are high in fats, which is why you do not want to make them your primary source of protein. Nut butter is a great post-workout snack. 2 tablespoons of peanut butter contains about 8 grams of protein.

Protein powder

If you are looking for an easy way to include more protein in your diet, then protein powder is a great way to do it.

Make sure you read the labels of any protein powders you buy and make sure they contain natural ingredients and not any cheap fillers.

4. Time your protein intake correctly

Your muscle growth will heavily rely on the protein you eat, particularly before a workout.

Before hitting the gym, have some soy milk or a handful of nuts. A great snack is also some nut butter on a brown unsalted rice cracker.

You then need to make sure you eat within 30 minutes after your workout. This can be a meal or a snack (depending on the time of day).

A protein smoothie is a great and convenient option after a workout too!

If you want to know more about protein intake and want an eating and training plan designed just for you, then why not get in touch with the WellBe team and we can get you going on your fitness journey?

There’s a common misconception that a hardworking employee is someone who skips lunch and works nights to get the job done.

Although this approach to work-life is somewhat admiral, the nonstop meetings, deadlines, late nights, early mornings and even weekends of work, all spell one thing – burnout.

When you live a life revolved around work, your health takes a back seat and stress takes over.

Companies who understand that an employee’s mental and physical wellbeing is a top priority and implement wellness programs to help achieve this are rewarded with happy, hardworking and healthy staff.

The truth is, corporate wellness programs will soon no longer be a benefit, but rather a necessity in the years to come.

What is a corporate wellness program?

Also known as an employee wellness program, it will include strategies aimed to improve the health and wellness of employees.

The program is designed to reduce stress, give advice and information on health and nutrition and also provide health assessments to help uncover staff-specific health issues.

Simply put – a wellness program helps your company to implement specific practices and techniques that aid in creating a happy and healthy workplace.

The benefits of a corporate wellness program

Before we get into the simple and effective ways you can incorporate wellness in the workplace, let’s first take a look at the benefits of a wellness program

Just a little head’s up – If you would like a more detailed description, have a look at our article to get clued up!

But for now, here are the basics:

• Improved productivity
• Higher engagement
• Fewer sick days
• Happier and dedicated staff
• Better company culture
• Easier recruiting
• Higher retention

Now that you have a good idea on what a wellness program is and how it can benefit your company, let’s get to the good part…

5 simple ways to bring wellness into the workplace

The first step you need to take is to work with a Wellness Coach or Wellness Company who specialises in implementing wellness in the workplace.

This way you can ensure you are making the right choices and taking the right steps toward a healthier, happier and wellthier workplace.

1. Create a flexible work culture

Implementing flexible working hours will enable your employees to avoid traffic and encourage a better balance between their home and work life.

Perhaps you can even allow employees to work remotely once a week?

Still not convinced on flexible work arrangements?

Have a look at this study – researchers from Standford discovered that staff who worked in a flexible work environment produced better results, worked longer hours, took fewer sick days and were much happier at work. They felt trusted and supported as they were allowed to create their own work schedules without the nag factor of micromanagement.

2. Encourage nutrition through healthy meals and recipes

Nutrition and diet have major roles to play in our overall wellbeing.

If your diet consists of high contents of sugar, take outs and greasy foods, your body is going to respond adversely.

Poor nutrition leads to sleep issues, daytime fatigue and low productivity and energy levels at work.

What you put into your body is what you get out.

So, if you’re loading up on the take out and unhealthy canteen food from work (even the freshly baked muffins in the morning meetings), your body is going to take a toll.

Through encouraging healthy eating and allowing your employees to access healthy, filling and delicious foods, this will not only benefit their health but your company’s too.

3. Give employees access to health and wellness information

A great way to do this is to send out a monthly newsletter with healthy recipes, fitness and health tips and tricks and some motivating articles to read and videos to watch. Which is something a wellness company can put together for you.

Instead of bombarding your staff with meeting requests and status updates, throw something healthy in the mix in the form of a wellness mail or newsletter.

Another great way to do this is host weekly wellness workshops where professional wellness coaches can chat with your staff on what it means to live a healthy life and how to go about doing so.

4. Reward healthy behaviours

Provide gym discounts and fitness allowances. For example, you could reward employees who work out a certain amount of times a week with a free coffee booster. You could also reward those who reach their fitness goal (run a 5km or take up a healthy eating plan and stick to it.)

There are all sorts of fun and rewarding ways you can encourage healthy behaviours both at work and at home.

5. Get your staff to move more

Ever heard of a walking meeting? It’s where you and your staff take a stroll to discuss things instead of sitting in a boardroom.

If this isn’t your style, then why not create lunchtime yoga sessions or mindfulness mornings?

The more exercise your employees can fit into their daily lives, the better they wellbeing will be.

Are you ready to bring wellness into the workplace?

If after reading this, you are ready to motivate employees, improve their health and happiness and in turn, improve productivity and the success of your company, then it’s time you get in touch with us.

What WellBe can do for your company:

• Health-related digital content and newsletters
• Workplace workouts
• Menu additions, meal suggestions & recipes
• Weekly workshops and seminars
• Customised exercise and nutrition plans
• Ongoing health and wellness consulting
• Counselling and psychological support
• Physiotherapy and chiropractic assistance
• Performance and personal development coaching

So, are you ready for wellness?