Why Personalised, Doctor-Led Infusions Make the Difference
Walk around Cape Town today and you’ll find IV “bars” popping up on almost every corner, promising quick fixes for fatigue, hangovers, or jet lag. These walk-in drip centres often let clients choose their own “cocktail” based on symptoms, much like ordering off a menu.
But here’s the truth: when it comes to your health, not all IV therapies are equal. Choosing a random cocktail from a drip menu might give you a temporary lift, but it won’t address the deeper needs of your body and may even do more harm than good. We believe IV therapy should never be generic or superficial. Instead, it should be doctor-led, personalised, and based on your unique biology.
This is the Expand Health difference and why our clients see IV therapy not as a fad, but as a foundational part of their longevity journey.
Why Personalisation Matters in IV Therapy
Every body is different. Nutrient needs vary depending on your genetics, lifestyle, stress load, diet, and even exposure to environmental toxins. Two people could present with the same symptoms (say, fatigue), yet the root causes may differ:
One may be low in B-vitamins,
Another may have mitochondrial dysfunction,
A third may be carrying a heavy metal burden blocking nutrient absorption.
At Expand Health, IV therapy begins with a consultation with our integrative medical doctor, Dr Fred van der Riet or Dr Daniel Blanckenberg. In addition to the medical assessment they will use spectrophotometry to assess:
Mineral levels (deficiencies or excesses)
Oxidative stress (cellular health and inflammation)
Heavy metal toxicity (which can impair detox and recovery)
From there, your infusion is prescribed specifically for your needs. It’s not about picking from a menu. It’s about addressing your specific health profile.
The Science of IV Therapy
Why consider IV therapy in the first place? Oral supplements only go so far. Studies show that your body may absorb as little as 20–30% of some vitamins and minerals taken orally while much of their potency is lost during digestion before they reach the bloodstream. (Allen, 2010; Boullata, 2013).
With IV therapy, nutrients bypass the digestive system and are delivered directly into the bloodstream. This means:
Faster absorption
Higher bioavailability (up to 100%)
Direct cellular uptake
This is particularly important for:
Rehydration: Without the right electrolyte balance, a saline drip alone can leave you more dehydrated than before.
Energy and immunity: Nutrients like magnesium, vitamin C, and glutathione play crucial roles in mitochondrial function and immune response.
Detoxification: IV glutathione and other antioxidants help neutralise free radicals and support liver detox pathways.
In a world where food is less nutrient-dense than it once was - with soil minerals further depleted by 20 - 40% over the last 50 years (FAO, 2019) - IV therapy provides a direct route to replenishment.
The Detox Connection
Detoxification is a word that gets thrown around often in wellness circles. But true detox is more than a juice cleanse. It’s a complex, cellular process involving the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, and mitochondria.
When your detox pathways are burdened, whether from environmental toxins, alcohol, heavy metals, or oxidative stress, you may experience fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, or chronic inflammation.
IV therapy supports detox at the cellular level. Glutathione, sometimes called the “master antioxidant,” is delivered intravenously to directly support liver function, reduce oxidative stress, and promote cellular repair. When combined with personalised nutrition and additional therapies like lymphatic drainage, PEMF or Ozone Sauna, the effects are amplified.
Beyond Quick Fixes: IV Therapy for Longevity
IV bars often market themselves as quick fixes for hangovers or short-term energy boosts. Self-prescribing vitamins may sound harmless, but in high doses or the wrong combinations, nutrients can cause harm. For example:
Excessive vitamin C can increase the risk of kidney stones in certain individuals.
Imbalances in calcium and magnesium can affect heart rhythm.
Pushing hydration without correcting mineral imbalances can even worsen dehydration.
We see IV therapy differently. It’s not about “bouncing back” from a late night. It’s about building resilience and long-term vitality.
Our IV protocols are used to support:
Cellular energy production (ATP synthesis)
Immune resilience
Detoxification and antioxidant capacity
Post-viral or Long Covid recovery
Athletic performance and recovery
Stress and burnout support
This doctor-led approach ensures your IV therapy is more than a temporary pick-me-up, it ensures safety, precision and efficacy, and ultimately becomes part of a strategy to extend your healthspan.
The Expand Health Experience
At Expand Health, IV therapy is designed to restore balance, optimise function, and support your journey toward longevity.
When sitting down in our serene IV lounge, you are not just sitting for a drip, you’re prioritising a holistic health journey. Beyond your consultation and assessment with the doctor, you will also have access to our nutritionist, Maryke Gallagher, to align your diet with your infusion protocol for maximum optimisation. Furthermore, adjunct therapies like HBOT, red light therapy and Ozone Sauna offer synergistic benefits for full-body rejuvenation.
It’s this combination of personalisation, medical oversight, and integration that sets Expand Health apart from generic IV bars.
If you’re ready to experience effective IV therapy, book your consultation at Expand Health in De Waterkant, Cape Town, and discover the difference personalisation makes.
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References
Allen LH. Causes of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. Food Nutr Bull. 2010;31(1):S20–S34.
Boullata JI. Oral drug–nutrient interactions: A scientific review. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2013;38(5):369–379.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture. 2019.
