IV infusion therapy

IV infusion therapy at WIN delivers nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids directly into the bloodstream through a small intravenous line, under a physician's prescription. It is one of the medical and nutritional protocols Dr. Carmen Báez-Franceschi may include in a plan after the evaluation, for children, teens and adults when she considers it appropriate. Infusions are given in person at our Houston and San Juan centers.

What is IV infusion therapy?

An IV infusion places a fluid containing selected nutrients into a vein, so they reach the circulation without first passing through the digestive system. At WIN, the formula is individualized: it may include vitamins, minerals, amino acids and, where the physician considers it appropriate, NAD+. The contents are chosen from the patient's history and lab results, not from a fixed menu.

It is not a replacement for eating well or for oral supplementation, and it is not a "drip bar" service chosen by the patient. It is a medical treatment, prescribed and monitored as part of a plan, and used when the physician believes the intravenous route offers something the oral route cannot.

Who IV infusion therapy helps

WIN uses IV therapy to support nutrient levels, energy, recovery and overall wellness. The physician most often considers it for:

• Patients whose absorption is limited, for example children or adults with gastrointestinal disorders where labs show deficiencies that diet and oral supplements have not corrected
• Adults in the anti-aging and wellness program, often alongside hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Patients recovering from brain injuries, as nutritional support within the broader plan
• Students and athletes in the athletic and academic excellence program, when labs and the evaluation support it

IV therapy is prescribed after the evaluation; it is not purchased à la carte. Not every patient needs it, and many plans never include it.

What a session looks like at WIN

Infusions take place at the Houston or San Juan center. Before the first one, the physician reviews the medical history, current medications, allergies and recent labs, and screens for conditions that would make IV therapy unsuitable or require a different formula, such as certain heart or kidney conditions. The labs guide what goes into the infusion.

Trained staff place the IV line and monitor the patient throughout. Most people feel a brief pinch when the line is placed and then sit comfortably; children can read, watch something or rest, and a parent stays with a child for the whole infusion. Some people notice a cool sensation in the arm or a taste in the mouth from certain nutrients. Any discomfort should be reported to the staff right away. The plan sets how often infusions are given and for how long, and that is reviewed as results come in.

How it fits the Franceschi Method®

IV infusion therapy belongs to Phase II of the Franceschi Method®, the medical and nutritional protocols built on what Phase I revealed. It works alongside nutrition and individualized oral supplementation, which remain the foundation, and the functional medicine labs that show what the body is missing. In wellness programs it is often paired with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and some adults may also discuss peptide therapy with the physician.

Progress is measured with follow-up labs and re-evaluation, and the protocol is adjusted or stopped accordingly. Parents receive reports and training as part of the team.

What families can expect

Infusions require in-person visits to Houston or San Juan, while many related follow-ups and lab reviews can be done by telemedicine for patients in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. Some people report changes in energy or how they feel during recovery; responses vary, and lab rechecks, not impressions alone, guide whether to continue.

If you have wondered whether IV therapy makes sense for your child or for yourself, the evaluation is where that question gets an answer. Request an orientation with our Houston or San Juan team, in English or Spanish.