Hyndford Hydration — Nanaimo, BC

The evidence behind what we offer

We believe you deserve to know exactly where the science stands. Some of what we offer has a strong research foundation. Some is supported by clinical experience and emerging data. We will always be clear about which is which.

Our position on evidence

We do not overstate the evidence for our treatments. The honest position is that IV and IM therapy for wellness purposes sits on a spectrum. Some ingredients have robust clinical evidence at therapeutic doses, delivered intravenously or intramuscularly. Others have strong mechanistic rationale with limited randomised trial data in wellness populations. Some remain genuinely emerging.

This does not mean emerging treatments are ineffective. It reflects the funding realities of nutritional research and the practical challenges of blinding IV interventions. Mechanistic evidence, pharmacokinetic data, and clinical observation all have a legitimate place in the evidence hierarchy. Functional medicine has a long history of identifying therapeutic applications before mainstream research catches up.

Every treatment at Hyndford Hydration is administered by a nurse under NP medical oversight and medical directive. We do not make therapeutic claims. We treat informed adults who want access to nurse-administered IV and IM therapy delivered safely and transparently.

Evidence key: Strong — Established Robust clinical evidence at IV/IM doses Moderate — Growing Good mechanistic rationale; RCT data building Emerging — Promising Early/preclinical evidence; practitioner-led

Base Fluids & Pre-Made Formulas

Ingredient	Route	Evidence	Clinical Notes
Normal Saline 0.9% NaCl	IV	Strong — Established	The most widely used IV fluid in the world. It replenishes the fluids and salts your body loses through dehydration, illness, or sweating. The same fluid used in every hospital and emergency department. The research behind it is about as solid as it gets.
Lactated Ringer's LR / RL	IV	Strong — Established	A more complex hydration fluid that more closely mimics the natural balance of fluids in your body. It contains sodium, potassium, calcium, and lactate — not just salt and water. We use it as the base for Pacific Reset because it supports electrolyte balance and recovery more gently than standard saline.
Myers Cocktail Magnesium • Calcium • B Complex • Vitamin C	IV	Moderate — Growing	The original multi-nutrient IV infusion, developed by Dr John Myers in the 1950s and still one of the most widely used IV therapy formulas in integrative medicine today. A 2002 review documented consistent clinical benefit across fatigue, fibromyalgia, migraines, and upper respiratory illness. It is the foundation of many of our named treatments. Gaby (2002) — Myers Cocktail review

Vitamins

Ingredient	Route	Evidence	Clinical Notes
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid	IV	Moderate — Growing	When you take Vitamin C orally, your gut can only absorb so much before the rest passes through unused. IV delivers it directly into your bloodstream, reaching levels that simply aren't possible with supplements. The research on immune support is strong and growing. Padayatty et al. (2004) — IV Vitamin C pharmacokinetics Levine et al. (1999) — Oral vs IV absorption ceiling Hoffer et al. (2015) — High-dose IV Vitamin C trial
B Complex Vitamins	IV / IM	Moderate — Established	B vitamins are involved in almost every energy-producing process in your body — turning food into fuel, keeping your nervous system running, and helping you handle stress. Stress, alcohol, poor diet, and certain gut conditions all deplete them. IV and IM delivery gets them in without relying on your gut to absorb them first. Lonsdale (2006) — Thiamine and B vitamins: biochemistry and clinical benefits
B12 Methylcobalamin • Hydroxocobalamin • Cyanocobalamin	IV / IM	Strong — Established	B12 injections have been used in conventional medicine for decades — this is not a wellness trend. Your body needs B12 for energy production, nerve health, and making red blood cells. Many people are deficient without knowing it, particularly those who are vegan, vegetarian, or have gut absorption issues. We offer three forms depending on your needs; your nurse can advise which is right for you. Stabler (2013) — B12 deficiency, NEJM review Watanabe (2007) — B12 sources and bioavailability
Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol	IM	Strong — Established	Most people in BC are low in Vitamin D, especially from autumn through spring. It plays a role in your immune system, mood, bone health, and more. An IM injection means you actually absorb it — oral supplements vary hugely in how well they're absorbed, and if your gut isn't in great shape, you may not be getting what the label says. Holick et al. (2011) — Vitamin D deficiency global review Amrein et al. (2020) — Vitamin D deficiency worldwide update
Folic Acid Vitamin B9	IV (add-on)	Strong — Established	Folate is essential for building and repairing DNA and for producing healthy red blood cells. Most people know it as the pregnancy vitamin, but it matters well beyond that — particularly for anyone with absorption issues, high alcohol intake, or certain genetic variants that affect how folate is processed. Stover (2004) — Folate and human health
Biotin Vitamin B7	IM	Moderate — Established	Biotin is the B vitamin most associated with hair, skin, and nail health. It's involved in the production of keratin, the protein your hair and nails are made of. Where oral biotin supplements have inconsistent absorption, IM delivery gets it directly where it needs to go.

Minerals & Antioxidants

Ingredient	Route	Evidence	Clinical Notes
Magnesium Magnesium Chloride	IV	Moderate — Established	Magnesium is involved in over 300 processes in your body, including muscle relaxation, nerve function, and sleep. It's also one of the most commonly depleted minerals — stress, caffeine, alcohol, and certain medications all flush it out. IV magnesium is used in hospitals for migraines, heart arrhythmias, and pre-eclampsia. The problem with magnesium supplements is that high oral doses cause digestive upset before you reach a meaningful level in your tissues. IV bypasses that entirely. Iseri & French (1984) — Magnesium as physiologic calcium blocker Mauskop et al. (1995) — IV magnesium relieves acute migraine Mauskop et al. (1996) — IV magnesium rapidly alleviates headaches
Zinc	IV (add-on)	Moderate — Growing	Zinc is critical for immune function, wound healing, and a huge range of processes your body runs continuously. Most people don't get enough from diet alone, and absorption from food and supplements varies a lot. IV delivery is used when you need targeted replenishment rather than hoping your gut does the job. Plum et al. (2010) — The essential toxin: zinc and human health
Glutathione	IV / IM	Emerging — Promising	Glutathione is your body's master antioxidant — every cell makes it, and it's responsible for neutralising the damage caused by toxins, stress, and ageing. Levels drop as you get older or when your body is under load. You can't get meaningful amounts from oral supplements because your gut breaks them down before they can be absorbed. IV is the only delivery method that actually raises your blood levels. It's widely used in integrative medicine for liver support, oxidative stress, and skin health. The skin brightening effect is consistently reported by practitioners and clients; the formal research is still building. Witschi et al. (1992) — Oral glutathione: poor bioavailability Richie et al. (2015) — RCT: oral vs IV glutathione
Alpha Lipoic Acid ALA	IV	Moderate — Established in specific conditions	ALA is a potent antioxidant that works in both water-based and fat-based environments in your body — making it unusually versatile. It has strong clinical evidence for nerve pain related to diabetes, particularly in European practice where IV ALA is an established treatment. We offer it as an add-on or standalone infusion. It requires slow administration and monitoring during the infusion, which is factored into your session time. Ziegler et al. (1999) — IV ALA for diabetic neuropathy RCT Han et al. (2012) — Meta-analysis IV ALA neuropathy Mijnhout et al. (2012) — IV ALA clinical evidence review

Amino Acids

Ingredient	Route	Evidence	Clinical Notes
Taurine	IV (add-on) / IM	Moderate — Growing	Taurine is an amino acid your body produces naturally, but production can fall behind during periods of illness, stress, or heavy physical demand. It plays a role in heart function, nervous system health, and how your body processes bile — which affects fat digestion. You'll know it from energy drinks, but at IV and IM doses it's a different thing entirely. Widely used in functional medicine for energy and recovery support. Ripps & Shen (2012) — Taurine: a very essential amino acid
L-Carnitine	IV (add-on) / IM	Moderate — Established in specific conditions	L-Carnitine is what your cells use to transport fat into the part of the cell that burns it for energy. Without enough of it, fat sits there rather than being used as fuel. Your body makes some, but production varies and depletes under physical stress. It's used clinically in dialysis patients and cardiac conditions, and in functional medicine for fatigue and metabolic support. Brass (2000) — Carnitine: fatigue and metabolism Malaguarnera et al. (2007) — L-Carnitine reduces fatigue in centenarians RCT
MIC Lipotropic Methionine • Inositol • Choline	IM	Emerging — Practitioner-Led	MIC stands for Methionine, Inositol, and Choline — three compounds your liver uses to process and move fat. Together they're known as lipotropics, meaning they help prevent fat from accumulating where it shouldn't. As a combination IM injection for metabolic and weight support, the formal research is still building, but it's been used widely in integrative medicine clinics for years with broadly positive client-reported outcomes. It is not a standalone weight loss treatment. Brosnan & Brosnan (2006) — Methionine: sulphur amino acids Zeisel (2006) — Choline: critical role in development Croze & Soulage (2013) — Inositol and insulin resistance

Coenzymes

Ingredient	Route	Evidence	Clinical Notes
NAD+ Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide	IV	Emerging — Promising	NAD+ is a molecule your cells need to produce energy and repair DNA. Think of it as the fuel your cellular machinery runs on. Levels decline steadily with age — and research suggests this decline is connected to how we age at a cellular level. Early clinical data is promising for cognitive support, energy, and addiction recovery (particularly for alcohol and opioids, where NAD+ is thought to help repair neurotransmitter pathways). This is a genuinely emerging area; the science is moving fast but large-scale trials are still underway. NP assessment is required before your first session, and we are transparent about where the evidence currently stands. Martens et al. (2018) — NAD+ precursor raises levels in humans Hara et al. (2007) — NAD+ biosynthesis pathways

Medical disclaimer: The information on this page describes the physiological functions of nutrients and summarises the clinical evidence base as it exists. It is not medical advice and does not constitute a claim to treat, diagnose, or cure any medical condition. IV and IM therapy at Hyndford Hydration is supportive care administered by a nurse under NP medical oversight and medical directive, in compliance with BCCNM standards. It is not a replacement for medical treatment. Individual responses to IV therapy vary. If you have a medical condition, please discuss any treatment with your healthcare provider before booking. Where the evidence is limited or emerging, we will tell you that directly.