IV & NAD+ Therapy
What Is IV Therapy and What Is It Used For?
IV therapy delivers fluids, vitamins, and minerals directly into the bloodstream. Here is how it works, what the evidence shows, and how it is offered under medical supervision.
Reviewed by the clinical team at Zest 4 Wellness · September 11, 2026 · 6 min read
IV (intravenous) therapy delivers fluids, vitamins, minerals, and other compounds directly into the bloodstream through a vein. At Zest 4 Wellness in Columbia, Maryland, IV therapy is offered as part of physician-supervised wellness care after a medical evaluation, and our team is upfront about what the evidence does and does not support.
How IV therapy is administered
An IV infusion involves placing a small catheter in a vein and slowly delivering a sterile fluid solution over a set period. Because the ingredients bypass digestion, they reach the bloodstream directly, which is the main technical advantage of the route.
- A member of the clinical team reviews your history and confirms the infusion is appropriate for you.
- A sterile IV line is placed, typically in the arm.
- The solution is infused at a controlled rate while you rest.
- You are monitored during and after the infusion, and aftercare is explained.
What IV therapy is commonly considered for
- Hydration support, especially around travel, heat, or illness recovery
- Vitamin and mineral support for specific, identified needs
- Wellness-focused infusions for energy or recovery goals
- NAD+ infusions for patients evaluating cellular energy support
What the evidence shows
IV vitamin infusions for general wellness are not FDA-approved, and major medical organizations note that evidence for broad claims such as boosted immunity or all-purpose energy is limited. The Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and the Merck Manual each point out that benefits for healthy people are not well established, while real risks exist, including infection, vein irritation, allergic reactions, and vitamin toxicity at high doses. In specific medical situations, such as dehydration, IV fluids have a clear role under medical care.
Safety and important considerations
- IV products must be compounded and administered under sterile conditions
- Infection and vein irritation (phlebitis) are possible at the IV site
- High doses of certain vitamins and minerals can be toxic
- Electrolyte imbalances and allergic reactions are possible
- Medical evaluation before infusion reduces, but does not eliminate, these risks
Zest does not offer IV therapy as a walk-in product. Infusions are planned with your clinical team based on your history and goals, and candidacy is reviewed before any line is placed.
IV therapy in Columbia, Maryland
Zest 4 Wellness is located at 8860 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suite 216, Columbia, MD 21045, serving Columbia, Howard County, and nearby communities including Ellicott City, Clarksville, Laurel, Elkridge, and Catonsville. To discuss whether IV therapy fits your goals, call (443) 917-6500 or book a consultation.
See the IV therapy service page for more detail
Meet Dr. Francisco Ward, who provides physician supervision at the Columbia clinic
Sources & further reading
Next step
If you are curious whether IV therapy is appropriate for you, the first step is a conversation, not an infusion. Book a free 15-minute consultation at the Columbia clinic and our team will explain what the evidence supports and what it does not.
Talk with our care team about this topic
A member of our clinical team can answer your questions at the Columbia, Maryland clinic. If IV Therapy may be appropriate for you, the first step is a consultation.
Care at Zest 4 Wellness is physician-guided. Meet Dr. Francisco Ward, who evaluates patients at the Columbia, Maryland clinic.