<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=854433617968739&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
  • "My weight was getting so out of control. I started their weigh loss diet program and lost 32 lbs! I have been able to reduce my blood pressure medicine, fit back in my clothes, have tons more energy... Now I am back to eating and my desire for foods has changes drastically. Saved my life!!!
    Pamela, Scottsdale Az
  • "Dr. Cline and Dr. Terranella have been amazing! For the first time we found doctors that actually listen. They care about how your feeling and try everything they can to get you back to a normal state. I am in love with these guys! If you want amazing care, see these guys."
    Jennifer F. ,Phoenix Az

Struggling with food Cravings? IV Nutrient Therapy can Help.

There is often a  physiological connection between the foods you crave and your overall physical health. In certain cases, food cravings can be an indicator that your body is deficient in specific vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, our bodies don’t always crave foods or products that contain those nutrients, which can lead to more intense cravings. IV therapy, which IV Nutrient Therapydelivers vital nutrients directly to your bloodstream, can help to replenish your depleted body and reduce or eliminate your cravings. In many cases, IV nutrient therapy can help you lose weight naturally because you are no longer consuming empty calories. Together, IV nutrient therapy and a guided personalized weight loss program, can be key to restoring energy, eliminating food cravings, and living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Before we begin, it’s important to highlight that hunger and food cravings are two different things. If you feel physically hungry, your body is signaling to you that it’s time to eat. That is not necessarily a craving. A craving can be a physiologic or psychological event and will start and/or persist even when your physical hunger has been satiated (more on this below). 



A Phoenix Doctor Can Use IV Nutrient Therapy to Help Stop Food Cravings


IV nutrients have been shown to improve a variety of physical conditions from chronic fatigue and migraines to depression and seasonal allergies. Sometimes our patients come to us for one condition or ailment and find that IV nutrient therapy helps to reduce other health-related symptoms. Delivering an intravenous supply of specially tailored vitamins and minerals allows your body to absorb them quickly and efficiently. Depending on your nutrient deficiency, you may require one or multiple IV nutrient therapy sessions before diet alone will keep your body in balance.

There are two types of food cravings: psychological and physiological. Psychological cravings are those in which your emotional well being is benefited by consuming certain foods. For others, cravings begin when the body is depleted of vital nutrients. In an effort to gain these nutrients, your body will begin seeking food sources which may or may not contain the particular nutrient you lack. A phoenix doctor will do lab work and/or a detailed history to determine whether or not you are deficient and may choose to use IV nutrient therapy, combined with a nutrition-based health plan, in order to restore your body’s vitamin and mineral balance. 


Here is a list of common cravings and their associated nutrient deficiencies:

  • Chocolate - Dark Chocolate contains a host of beneficial minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamins A, B1, C, D, & E, and flavonoids.  While all of those are essential, researchers believe Magnesium is what most chocolate cravers are after (subconsciously). That is not surprising since magnesium is a very common nutrient to be deficient in. The problem is that in order to be effective, chocolate needs to be 70% cacao, rather than milk chocolate. So, popping M&Ms when you have a chocolate craving will pack on the pounds, temporarily satisfy the craving, and leave your body even more depleted.
  • Sugar. Similar to chocolate, sugar cravings can also be associated with magnesium deficiencies, as well as other vitamin/mineral deficiencies. Just like in the case of M&Ms, eating sweet foods will rarely gain the nutrients your body is after, which results in sugar crashes, undesired weight gain, and a continued lack of essential nutrients.
  • Ice - Ever had the irresistible urge to crunch away at the ice in your glass, or to go and get a glass of crushed ice without the beverage? Where others find a glass of ice bland, you may think it’s absolutely delicious. This is a common symptoms of Anemia, or iron deficiency. Once your iron levels are returned to normal, your ice cravings will become a thing of the past.
  • Salt - In its normal state, salt is incredibly rich in minerals. Unfortunately, most developed countries eat salt that is perfectly white but has been processed and stripped of its nutrient value. As such, salt cravings (which leads to the consumption of unhealthy and often processed foods) are often an indicator of mineral deficiencies. Talk to your doctor about switching to sea salt or Himalayan crystal salts, which still contain essential minerals. Since these salts are not iodized, make sure to include iodine-rich foods in your diet such as eggs, navy beans, cod, and seaweed.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you were no longer a slave to your food cravings? Balancing your health could be the first step to kissing food cravings goodbye. Whatever your cravings may be, it is a good idea to have lab work done to see if you are in anyway nutritionally depleted. A balanced diet, IV Therapy, and routine follow-ups can return you back to health - and you may find you lose weight without as much effort!



Having Trouble Controlling Your Cravings? Phoenix Integrative Doctors Can Help.


If you suspect your food cravings may be the result of nutritional deficiencies, or are looking for a natural weight loss solution that work, contact Southwest Integrative Medicine. Our compassionate doctors will work with you to evaluate your overall health, and begin working on a holistic and nutritionally sound plan that will restore your energy and overall health.

Click me

Recent Posts

Width: 420px   Height: 622px
New Call-to-action
New Call-to-action
New Call-to-action
New Call-to-action
Digestive Reset
MTHFR
Don't B12 Deficient