Review: Oral IV Hydration Supplement
A couple weeks ago I was sent a sample of a new product called Oral IV. When I first heard about it, I thought it sounded kind of weird. I am a needle phobe, so the idea of an IV for hydration was a little scary. But this is a product you take by mouth so I figured it would be interesting to check out.
When I got it in the mail, I was surprised by how much interest I had in this supplement. I’m always using supplements like Nuun and drinks like coconut water to rehydrate me after workouts so the idea of taking a vial of highly concentrated electrolytes is very appealing. And that’s just what Oral IV is – a small container of highly concentrated electrolytes to deliver rapid hydration to your cells.
So what the heck is in this stuff?
According to the company, Oral IV is a proprietary formula of crystalloid electrolytes and trace minerals, such as sodium, potassium and magnesium, in purified water. Oral IV utilizes natural sources of known trace minerals which are chosen and then combined via a proprietary process to optimize how the body utilizes water and electrolytes.
How do you take it?
The package says you can take the vial as is or with water. In order to give it a proper review, I took the product three times. Two times with water and one time without. It doesn’t taste like anything, so it was fine in water. It doesn’t replace the volume of water, so I figure if I’m going to hydrate why not do it right and actually hydrate with water, too. Ya know what i’m saying?
I took the Oral IV in the morning when I was feeling rather parched. It definitely helped me feel better and my hunger pangs went away, which is often a sign of dehydration. But it could have also been the glass of water I drank with it. Hard to really say.
The time I took the Oral IV without water was also in the morning. I felt fine, but I definitely prefer it with water. I like how hydrated I feel afterwards but I don’t know if it’s me just thinking I am more hydrated or if I really am because I drank a supplement with a glass of water. Tough call.
The next time I took this product was after my soccer game. I felt good after taking it but again I took it with a glass of water and its hard not to feel good after drinking a full glass of water.
Oral IV was developed by a physician who has done a lot of research on hydration and its role in athletic performance. He wanted to put Oral IV to the test and for the past several years it has only been available to law enforcement and the U.S. Military. It just recently was put on the consumer market and is currently only available online through their website. It costs about $12 for a pack of 4 which is steep but if you are training for a serious event, you might want to try something as serious as this.
So, does it work?
Honestly, I can’t say for sure. But I do know that I feel better after I take it and I gave one to a friend who is training for an Ironman to see what she thinks of it. When she gets back to me with her feedback, I will let you all know. If you are curious about this product, I encourage you to check it out for yourself and see what you think. I’d love to know your thoughts. I am not sure how often I would buy something like this, but if I was training for a hardcore triathlon or endurance race I would probably keep a pack of these in my training bag.
Do you take hydration supplements after a workout? Which ones? Post in the comments and let me know.
**Disclosure: I received a free sample of ORAL IV for review. That is all.**
To call Anthony Beck (the “creator” of this product” a “physician” is doing a grave injustice to real physicians. He is a Naturopath, which is NOT a medical doctor. Also, his product is not an ultra-concentrate and is largely based on quackery. You can read my examination of the product and what’s really in it here:
http://specialcircumstancesinc.blogspot.com/2011/08/tactical-snake-oil-or-why-you-should.html
http://specialcircumstancesinc.blogspot.com/2013/06/tactical-snake-oil-part-2-chemical.html
Hi Ian,
Thank you for posting this information. I don’t intend to do any injustice to any physicians but I was told the creator of this product is a physician.
Like I said in my post, I don’t know if this product really works. It’s hard not to feel hydrated after drinking a glass of water.
I read your post and plan to reach out to Oral IV to get a response from them on this. Will follow up when I do.
Thanks,
Lindsay
Lindsay,
It doesn’t surprise me in the least that they told you that. However, being a “Doctor of Naturopathy” has almost no meaning since the term isn’t regulated in Florida (where Anthony Beck is located) and it certainly does not make one a physician. To put it bluntly, they lied to you.
As for a response from Oral IV, it will likely say something along the lines of “They just don’t understand the science behind Oral IV”. That seems to be their standard, canned, response.
I do look forward to hearing what they have to say this time around…
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!
Naturopaths are physicians, but they take a different and more holistic approach to treat patients compared to medical physicians.
I agree Rose. Naturopathic physicians, especially who attended an accredited university have a much better approach to healthcare than regular physicians. As someone with crohn’s who has seen over 20 medical doctors and gastroenterologists in the past three years and only one Naturopathic doctor, I feel Ian Wendt has some kind of bias and is lacking logical information. If I want a doctor to take a guess and throw a few prescriptions my way, I would waste my time on normal physicians. Naturopathic MD’s use an approach based on nutrition and use natural medicines that in most cases have been used for 1000’s of years. Modern medicine has some value, but is most renowned for popping out drugs to alleviate one symptom, with the high possibility of multiple more severe symptoms.
And I have been using oral IV for about 2 years, since it became available on http://www.uscav.com. It isnt a miracle product, no one claims it to be, but it is the best electrolyte replacement on the market considering the artificial ingredients in everything else.
So, there seems to be some confusion about what is an MD and what is NOT an MD. To clarify, an MD is a Medical Doctor. In order to call yourself a Medical Doctor, you have to go through a number of highly regulated steps, including at the least 6-8 years of schooling. Often more depending on specialty.
This is a nationally and federally regulated title.
A doctor of naturopathy or Naturopathic Doctor (ND) is not a federally regulated title. Who can refer to themselves in that way varies widely from state to state and in some states is not even a recognized title or education. It is not an education available through most medical programs, but is usually acquired through a number of other, often times non-accredited institutions. An ND generally cannot prescribe medications.
So no, they are not Medical Doctors. Are there sometimes people who DO have an actual MD license and are also Naturopaths? Yes, there are. But they are the exception. And don’t forget, several states have no regulation of the use of the term ND, which means, quite literally anybody can stick that title on the end of their names.
All this information is readily available on the web, I suggest you don’t just take my word for it, but that you actually go research this.
I’m thrilled that you’ve found an ND that seems to be helping you. Awesome. That doesn’t mean they’re necessarily an actual MD. If they are, awesome. But please don’t think that an ND after their name means they’re an actual medical doctor.
And as far as “real” doctors go, I’m not generally a fan. Just like with any other field, the majority seem to be just muddling through life, collecting a paycheck. Far too few are truly involved in the welfare of their patients nor do they keep up to date on current developments. I always encourage people to take charge of their own health and do the research. Can’t understand it? Then learn more.
As for Oral IV and your using it for two years. Good for you. But keep in mind that despite their previous marketing of Oral IV as an electrolyte replacement, even Oral IV now unequivocally states that Oral IV is NOT an electrolyte replacement. The chemical analysis that I had performed on it also very clearly demonstrates this. Also, the claims that Oral IV originally made and most of the claims they’re STILL making… Yeah, they’re pretty much saying it’s a miracle product.
Oral IV was suggested to me from my friend that competes in several events, Triathlons, epic series and other type of events. Being in TX where the heat and humidity can change daily, which makes finding the right time and how I take it challenging. I made different adjustments, and dialed it in when I need it. I have to say I find it helps a lot. What I didn’t expect was the many uses that it has provided my family. My wife and her friends use it for monthly cramps, something the company doesn’t claim. They love it. My daughter uses it for Track and cross-country. Another claim they don’t make and I found to be helpful, is when a family my is sick. The doctors always say “take fluids” to stay hydrated, this is difficult especially when they don’t really follow that as when sick it’s hard to drink fluids. This product helps make up for the lack of fluid, when feeling miserable. I try different supplements, mostly to see if they over promise. I have been very impressed with this company and the new formula is even better. So in the end, I would recommend giving it a try.