Chronic inflammation is a silent problem of today’s life. The immune system stays slightly on guard, no matter what happens, it doesn’t get a break, it is never turned off, and the constant ultra processed food and dehydration leave it in a constant state of mild activation. That low simmer is often accompanied by heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and obesity, the combination of which doctors put together as metabolic syndrome. About one-third of adults in the U.S. have one form or another.
Inflammation itself is not the enemy. It is the way your body can protect and heal. Cut your hand or fight off a virus and cytokines and immune cells rush to the site, clear the threat, then stand down. It’s when they never rest. The healthy tissue, blood vessels and joints are damaged over months or years by low-grade activation, before you notice anything dramatic.
At InVita Wellness, one of the tools we use to bring that simmer down quicker than diet alone is targeted nutrients via intravenous therapy.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice. Anti-inflammatory IV therapy is not a disease-specific therapy and if the inflammation continues or worsens, always consult with a doctor. Discuss with a qualified provider before beginning any infusion protocol, particularly if you are taking prescription medications or you have a chronic condition.How Anti-Inflammatory IV Therapy Works
A supplement goes through a whole host of stomach acid, gut absorption and first-pass processing in the liver before anything survives reaches your blood stream. Filtering is the limiting process for several anti-inflammatory compounds. An infusion can raise the nutrient level in the blood much higher than an oral dose would safely allow and your cells receive the nutrient without paying the digestive tax. This is the entire point of IVs as treatment for inflammation vs. pills.
7 Anti-Inflammatory IV Nutrients
A supplement goes through a whole host of stomach acid, gut absorption and first-pass processing in the liver before anything survives reaches your blood stream. Filtering is the limiting process for several anti-inflammatory compounds. An infusion can raise the nutrient level in the blood much higher than an oral dose would safely allow and your cells receive the nutrient without paying the digestive tax. This is the entire point of IVs as treatment for inflammation vs. pills.
1. Glutathione
Glutathione is a small tripeptide made up of cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine, and is the most abundant antioxidant produced in the body by cells. It performs two functions that are important in inflammation. It neutralizes the free radicals that cause oxidative stress and by a process called glutathionylation it dials down NF-kB, the master switch behind inflammatory genes. That switch is easy to turn on when glutathione is depleted. Because of this, IV glutathione is one of the reasons why it is an ideal supplement to pairs so well with NAD during recovery.
2. Vitamin C
The vitamin C in food and capsules becomes saturated rather rapidly. It is administered intravenously and thus reaches levels that have a real anti-inflammatory effect. Eight weeks of supplementation reduced three markers of metabolic inflammation, lowered hs-CRP, IL-6 and fasting glucose, in patients with hypertension and diabetes who were overweight. This is what our Citrus Cocktail Mega-C infusion is based on and when someone is very sick with a respiratory illness, vitamin C drips are also used
3. Vitamin D
Once your liver and kidneys have activated vitamin D, it acts more like a hormone than a vitamin. It is active in the form of calcitriol, which acts on receptors on immune cells to downregulates NF-kB along with messengers like IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-alpha. The lack of vitamin D keeps appearing with autoimmune disease and metabolic disease, which makes it a very satisfying relief to fix the deficiency.
4. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 is the spark plug to your mitochondria, the molecule that assists every cell convert fuel into energy, and it is also a fat-soluble antioxidant that safeguards cell membranes that water-based antioxidants can’t access. Blood levels decrease as age increases and when taking statins. Pooled trials link CoQ10 lower CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, which are markers that rise during chronic inflammation. This is why it’s included in the InVita injection menu and why it’s always combined with glutathione, for individuals who are concerned with energy and recovery.
5. Curcumin
Turmeric is renowned for its ability to cure as a result of its pigment known as curcumin. Curcumin acts at the level of gene expression, blocking NF-kB and quieting pathways like JAK/STAT and the NLRP3 inflammasome, that release IL-6 and TNF-alpha. The problem with oral curcumin is that it is poorly absorbed, but this is not the case with a curcumin infusion.
6. Resveratrol
The polyphenol produced by plants under stress is the same one that is in grapes, blueberries and red wine, and is called resveratrol. It has been demonstrated to lower C-reactive protein and TNF-alpha, which are markers for low-level inflammation associated with obesity and inactivity. It bypasses the “first pass metabolism” that occurs in the gut with oral administration as an IV ingredient.
7. NAD+
NAD+ is a coenzyme that all cells require to produce energy and to operate their repair mechanisms and declines as age, stress, poor sleep and a harsh diet increase. It’s not just an energy issue. Low NAD+ is a trigger for the NLRP3 inflammasome, a driver of inflammaging. NAD+ therapy is for those who are interested in recovery and healthy aging as it replenishes the supply via infusion and works on the inside to support immune regulation.
Cryotherapy: A Complementary In-Clinic Option
There are other anti-inflammatory tools available here as well as nutrients. Whole body and localized cryotherapy involves controlled cold to reduce the hyperactive inflammatory response and promote muscle recovery following training and/or injury. It is used by athletes in combination with infusion when they wish to see both systemic and targeted effects in the same treatment. It is used in conjunction with nutrient therapy, not in place of. Inflammation associated with cardiovascular risk is a different discussion to have with your provider and is not covered by the Plaquex protocol.
Who Should Not Get Anti-Inflammatory IV Therapy
Anti-inflammatory IV therapy is appropriate for most healthy adults, but not everyone. If any of these apply to you, skip it or consult with your doctor first.
- Breastfeeding and pregnancy, in which high doses of nutrients are not proven to be safe
- Kidney disease or decreased kidney function, as the kidneys remove a lot of the infused load
- G6PD enzyme deficiency, making high doses of vitamin C harmful
- Heart failure or fluid overload, which can affect the amount of fluid that can be safely received
- Medications that interact with certain nutrients such as blood thinners
- An allergy or previous reaction to any constituent of the infusion
If it’s an emergency, it’s not a drip. If the inflammation is accompanied by a high fever, a hot swollen joint, severe abdominal pain, chest pain, a spreading red patch on the skin, it is not an infusion, it is medical care that should be sought the same day. If in any doubt, evaluate first, consider IV later.
What to Expect at InVita Wellness
All of the protocols at InVita Wellness are created and monitored by certified physicians, and your mixture is customized to your objectives instead of being pulled from a set menu. Typically between 1 hour and 90 minutes, in a quiet suite, like a spa, bring your laptop, a book or just expect to nap.
Some clients just visit once for a reset, others add in infusions as part of a longer plan and incorporate the lifestyle changes that do the slow work between visits.
Fight Inflammation From the Inside Out
Looking to reduce chronic inflammation. Check out the IV therapy menu and book a visit and an IV consultation to have your labs and goals used to create a protocol for you.
Fight Inflammation From the Inside Out
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can I drink to reduce inflammation?
The consistent gains are from green tea, tart cherry juice and a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. An IV is the high dose and higher speed version of the same concept, which can be used if a quick change is desired instead of a gradual change.
Does inflammation really cause weight gain?
Yes and the relationship is mutual. When fat tissue produces inflammatory signals, it also causes a disruption in insulin and appetite regulation, making it more difficult to manage weight. Reducing inflammation is just one of the levers.
How fast does an anti-inflammatory IV work?
Look, nutrients are optimal during the infusion and many people feel clearer or less achy within a day. The deeper anti-inflammatory effect takes time (more than one visit).
Should I get a blood test for inflammation first?
Honestly, it helps. With a simple hs-CRP test, you and your provider will have a number to monitor, to see if a protocol plus lifestyle changes is working.
Is there an anti-inflammatory IV near me in NYC?
Yeah. At our SOHO office, InVita Wellness offers anti-inflammatory infusions specific to your labs and goals.
Resources
Ghezzi P. Role of glutathione in immunity and inflammation in the lung. Int J Gen Med. 2011;4:105-113.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3048347/
Ellulu MS, et al. Effect of vitamin C on inflammation and metabolic markers in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2015;9:3405-3412.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4492638/
The 2023 growing evidence confirming the relationship between vitamin D and autoimmune diseases. Nutrients. 2023;15(22):4760.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10675822/
Alleviating effects of coenzyme Q10 supplements on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: an umbrella meta-analysis. 2023.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10442645/
Regulation mechanism of curcumin-mediated inflammatory pathway and its clinical application: a review. 2025.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12405209/
Koushki M, et al. Effect of resveratrol supplementation on inflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Clin Ther. 2018.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149291818302455
Metabolic pathways in immune senescence and inflammaging (EAACI position paper). Allergy. 2024.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11497319/
