Evidence and clinical application of intravenous nutrition therapy

Intravenous nutrition therapy (IVNT) of functional medicine is often used as a confused concept with amino acid fluids or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) fluids due to its name of nutrition therapy. However, IVNT is a fluid treatment method whose composition and purpose are different from amino acid fluids and TPN fluids. IVNT may be applied to alleviating chronic fatigue, liver detoxification, anticancer effects in cancer patients, or relieving side effects from chemotherapy, depending on its components. IVNT can be applied to restore mitochondrial and adrenal dysfunction for alleviating chronic fatigue, and in the liver detoxification process, IVNT provides therapeutic effects through the supply of essential coenzymes and cofactors required for the liver detoxification phase and also reduces hepatic inflammation through antioxidant effects. Anti-cancer effects can be expected in cancer patients through high-dose antioxidant treatment. It is important for clinicians to select appropriate tests before applying IVNT to patients, and to apply appropriate IVNT through accurate differentiation diagnosis. In addition, Clinicians should familiarize with the precautions for each minerals and vitamins and be able to administer IVNT safely and effectively.