Oxidative Stress & The Power of Antioxidants: How Vitamin C & Glutathione Support Your Body
Antioxidants and their support during oxidative stress
We use the term oxidative stress all the time in wellness conversations, especially when talking about skin health, immunity, energy, or recovery. So, what is oxidative stress and why do antioxidants play such an important role in protecting our bodies?
What Is Oxidative Stress?
Every day, your body is producing energy, repairing cells, fighting off germs, detoxifying, and doing thousands of tiny processes that keep you alive. These processes naturally produce molecules called free radicals.
Free radicals aren’t “bad” (you actually need them) but when you have too many, they start to damage healthy cells, proteins, and DNA. This imbalance is called oxidative stress.
Common contributors to oxidative stress include:
Chronic stress
Lack of sleep
Intense exercise
Alcohol
Smoking
Environmental toxins
Inflammation
Poor diet
Over time, increased oxidative stress is linked to fatigue, slower recovery, dull skin, weakened immunity, and general inflammation.
How Antioxidants Fit In
Antioxidants are the body’s defense system against oxidative stress. They neutralize free radicals before they can do damage, helping restore balance. Your body naturally produces some antioxidants but not always enough to keep up with the modern stress load. That’s where supportive antioxidants like vitamin C and glutathione come in.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most researched antioxidants in the world and for good reason.
Key benefits of Vitamin C include:
1. Reduces Oxidative Stress: Vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals throughout the body, reducing cellular inflammation and supporting long-term health.
2. Boosts Immune Function: It enhances the function of immune cells and supports your body’s ability to respond to stress, infections, and illness.
3. Supports Collagen & Skin Health: Vitamin C is critical for collagen production—leading to brighter, firmer skin and support for wound healing.
4. Enhances Iron Absorption: This helps your energy levels stay steady.
Why IV Vitamin C?
High-dose vitamin C delivered intravenously bypasses digestion and allows for significantly higher blood levels than oral supplements. This can be especially helpful for:
Recovery after illness
Tackling fatigue
Supporting immune health
Skin radiance
Glutathione: The “Master Antioxidant”
If vitamin C is a hero, glutathione is the superhero. It’s often called the body’s “master antioxidant” because of how deeply involved it is in protecting and detoxifying your cells.
Key benefits of Glutathione include:
1. Powerful Cellular Detox: Glutathione helps the liver process toxins, alcohol, heavy metals, and environmental exposures.
2. Reduces Inflammation: By decreasing oxidative stress, it supports a more balanced immune response and reduces overall inflammation.
3. Skin Brightening & Even Tone: Glutathione supports melanin balance, which is why many people notice a brighter, more even complexion.
4. Energy & Mitochondria Support: Your mitochondria (cellular energy producers) rely heavily on glutathione to function well.
Why IV Glutathione?
Because glutathione is fragile and poorly absorbed orally, IV administration delivers higher, more effective levels directly into the bloodstream.
Vitamin C + Glutathione: A Powerful Pair
Why they work well together:
Vitamin C helps recycle glutathione, extending its protective power.
Both reduce oxidative stress in different pathways.
They support skin brightening, immune health, and cellular repair.
The pairing enhances detoxification and recovery from stress, workouts, travel, or illness.
Many clients feel more energized, experience clearer skin, or simply feel “lighter” after incorporating antioxidant therapy into their routine.
Is Antioxidant IV Therapy Right for You?
Antioxidant therapy may be beneficial if you:
Feel run down or fatigued
Want to support immune health
Are recovering from illness or high stress
Care about skin radiance and anti-aging
Want to support detoxification and liver health
Struggle with inflammation
Train intensely or need faster recovery
Let’s discuss what your best treatment looks like and see how these powerful antioxidants can be incoporated into your wellness routine!
Resources:
Ali, A., et al. (2024). Potential of ascorbic acid in human health against different diseases: A review. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B.
Aoyama, K. & Nakaki, T. (2015). Glutathione in Cellular Redox Homeostasis. Free Radical Research, 49(5), 573–582.
Aquilano, K., Baldelli, S., & Ciriolo, M. R. (2014). Glutathione: new roles in redox signaling for an old antioxidant. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 5, 196.
Bajic, V. P., & Liu, C. (2019). Glutathione “Redox Homeostasis” and Its Relation to Disease Development. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Kaźmierczak‑Barańska, J., Kleszcz, R., & Bartosz, G. (2020). Two Faces of Vitamin C — Antioxidative and Pro‑Oxidative Agent. Antioxidants, 9(10), 907.
Nimse, S. B. & Pal, D. (2015). Free radicals, natural antioxidants, and their reaction mechanisms. RSC Advances, 5(35), 27986–28006.
Sobhon, P., Savedvanich, G., & Weerakiet, S. (2023). Oxidative stress, inflammation, dysfunctional redox homeostasis and autophagy cause age‑associated diseases. Exploration of Medicine, 4, 45–70.
Post IV Therapy
Post IV Therapy and Instructions for managing symptoms. Why You Might Feel a Little Tired or Thirsty — and How to Support Your Body.
Why You Might Feel a Little Tired or Thirsty — and How to Support Your Body
At ThrIVe, we know that IV therapy can be a game changer for your energy, immunity, and recovery — especially during busy or stressful seasons. Most people leave feeling refreshed and recharged right away, but sometimes, your body needs a little extra time to adjust. Feeling slightly tired or thirsty after your drip is completely normal and usually just part of the process.
Here’s why it happens and how to help your body thrive afterward.
Why You Might Feel Thirsty
It might seem strange to feel thirsty after a hydration drip, but your body is smart — and it’s working hard! The nutrients and electrolytes in your IV encourage your cells to draw in more fluid, which can naturally trigger your thirst response. Think of it as your body saying, “Let’s keep this hydration train going!”
What to do: Keep sipping water throughout the rest of the day. Adding a little electrolyte mix or fruit-infused water can make it easier (and tastier) to stay hydrated.
Why You Might Feel a Bit Fatigued
Feeling a little sluggish after your infusion doesn’t mean the IV didn’t work — it’s often the opposite! Your body is busy processing and balancing the new vitamins, minerals, and fluids it just received.
You may also feel a little tired if you came in already dehydrated, stressed, or run down (which, let’s be honest, is why many of us book an IV in the first place!).
What to do: Listen to your body. Give yourself permission to rest, eat something nourishing, and take it easy for the next few hours. Most people wake up the next day feeling clear, energized, and balanced.
A Few Easy Post-IV Tips
Hydrate well for the next 24 hours — your cells are absorbing all the goodness!
Enjoy a light, balanced meal with protein and complex carbs to keep energy steady.
Avoid caffeine or alcohol right after your treatment — both can dehydrate you.
Rest if you need it — your body does its best work while you’re relaxed.
The Bottom Line
Post-IV thirst or fatigue is completely normal and short-lived. It’s your body adjusting and using the hydration and nutrients you just gave it. With a little rest and mindful hydration, you’ll soon be feeling your best — hydrated, balanced, and thrIVing.
Supporting Wellness Through IV Therapy
October is recognized worldwide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time dedicated to increasing awareness, supporting those affected, and highlighting the importance of overall wellness throughout the cancer journey.
While medical treatment is always the cornerstone of cancer care, many patients and survivors look for safe, supportive ways to nourish their bodies, restore energy, and promote healing. That’s where IV wellness therapy can play a complementary role.
Why Nutrient Support Matters During Cancer Treatments
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation are lifesaving, but they can also take a toll on the body. Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, dehydration, and nutrient depletion. Proper nutrition is essential for healing, but sometimes the body struggles to absorb enough nutrients from food and oral supplements—especially when the digestive system is under stress.
IV therapy delivers vitamins, minerals, and hydration directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and ensuring maximum absorption. For many patients, this means faster replenishment, improved energy, and better overall resilience during recovery.
Key Nutrients That May Help Support Cancer Patients
While every patient is unique, here are some nutrients often included in IV wellness therapy that can provide supportive benefits:
Vitamin C – Known for its antioxidant properties, Vitamin C supports immune health, helps reduce oxidative stress, and may play a role in supporting recovery.
B-Complex Vitamins – Important for energy production, nerve health, and red blood cell formation, which can help combat treatment-related fatigue.
Magnesium – Supports muscle and nerve function, hydration, and helps reduce stress on the body.
Glutathione – A powerful antioxidant that may help protect healthy cells from oxidative damage.
Hydration Therapy – Restores fluid balance, helping ease fatigue, headaches, and dehydration often associated with treatment.
It’s important to note that IV therapy is not a treatment for cancer. Instead, it’s a supportive tool that can help patients feel stronger, more balanced, and better able to cope with the challenges of treatment. Always consult with your healthcare team before starting any new wellness therapies.
This October: A Focus on Wellness and Support
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, thrIVe hydration & wellness is offering 20% off any of our IV Wellness Infusions for cancer patients. It’s our way of showing support, compassion, and care for those navigating this difficult journey.
If you or someone you love is undergoing treatment, IV therapy may provide a much-needed boost in energy, hydration, and nutrient support. Use code #BCAOctober to receive your discount when booking - we would love to support you.