Anyone who has lost a few days to severe jet lag or an unexpected illness while traveling would agree that protecting their health is key to travel plans going smoothly.
When you travel, you're more likely to be in crowded public spaces, be introduced to unfamiliar pathogens, undergo fluctuating sleep schedules and experience increased stress. This makes your immune system work harder than usual. Giving it a little boost before the trip can help you stay well and enjoy it more.
Our science-backed IV Drip Therapy and Intramuscular (IM) Shots can help with this. These therapies deliver targeted doses of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants proven to support immune function, reduce oxidative stress and help your body adapt to the physical and environmental stressors associated with travel.
Keep reading to learn how they work and if they make sense for your pre-travel prep or post-travel recovery.
Highlights
- Traveling can strain the immune system due to stress, sleep disruption and increased exposure to germs.
- Immune-boosting IV Drips, such as the Defender and the New Myers, deliver targeted vitamins, minerals and antioxidants directly into the bloodstream to support immune function. They can also support better recovery from travel stresses.
- Don’t have time to do a 60-90 minute IV Drip Therapy session? Try our Tri-Immune Blend IM Shots. It provides a fast and convenient alternative for immune support.
- Need more support to alleviate symptoms like inflammation, fatigue or stress? Complement IV Drip Therapy with other Restore therapies like Red Light Therapy, Infrared Sauna, Cryotherapy and Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Ask our Nurse for personalized recommendations.
Why Travel Challenges Your Immune System
Travel can put extra strain on the body, even when we are excited for it.
Long flights, time zone changes and disruptions to the regular sleep schedule can disrupt the body’s natural rhythm.8,9 Studies show that circadian disruption can reduce how well immune cells respond. Chronic jet lag, sleep deprivation and stress are also known to increase inflammation.9
Plus, being in more public spaces increases the likelihood of touching contaminated surfaces or being exposed to germs. This is why respiratory infections tend to be more common among travelers. A study suggests that about 37% travelers report symptoms of Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) during travel or shortly after.10
The double whammy stems from other stresses we often overlook: changes in diet and exposure to changes in air pressure or oxygen levels while flying. Noise and being in confined spaces with others can also contribute to travel fatigue. Because these are lifestyle and environmental changes, you can still experience their effects even when traveling domestically. They can reset your routine, and so the effects typically persist after traveling as well.11
At Restore, we are committed to helping our clients stay well and perform at their best. That’s why our team curated specific nutrient blends to combat these stresses, delivered via IV Drip Therapy or Intramuscular (IM) Shots. Here are the best ones for pre-travel immunity boost and post-travel recovery:
1. The Defender IV Drip
Choose the Defender IV Drip to strengthen your body’s defenses before travel and prepare your immune system for whatever comes its way. It contains:
Glutathione
Known as the body’s “Master Antioxidant,” Glutathione is critical for regulating immune function, optimizing detoxification pathways and protecting cells from oxidative injury. Clinical studies have demonstrated its role in enhancing white blood cell activity and modulating inflammation, especially in the respiratory tract during infection.1
As RTIs are common among travelers transiting through busy or crowded airport terminals, a Glutathione boost can be helpful.
B12
B12 is an essential nutrient that supports DNA synthesis in immune cells and regulates the production of cytokines, messenger molecules that guide immune cell communications involved in inflammation. Its deficiency is associated with impaired natural killer cell activity and compromised immune defense, particularly during viral exposures.2 Including it in the blend means extra protection against pathogens.
Taurine
Taurine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, helps regulate the immune system by quelling excessive inflammatory responses and supporting the function of T cells and macrophages, types of white blood cells. It also helps regulate immune and inflammatory responses through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly by neutralizing reactive oxygen species and modulating cytokine production.3
Lysine
Beyond its structural role in protein synthesis, Lysine supports the immune system by influencing cytokine expression and enhancing antioxidant capacity. Research indicates its involvement in maintaining mucosal immunity and promoting tissue repair following immune challenge.4
2x Vitamin C
A cornerstone of immune support, Vitamin C increases the activity of white blood cells, accelerates tissue healing and reduces the duration and severity of upper respiratory infections.12,13 Research shows that it can help alleviate cold and flu symptoms by up to 85%.13 These are just a few of the reasons why we deliver a double dose of this potent nutrient.
Zinc
Zinc deficiency has been directly linked to compromised immune cell development and function. Supplemental Zinc supports both innate and adaptive immunity—not only can it help shorten infection duration, but it also strengthens epithelial barriers to prevent things like pathogens, toxins and bacteria from entering the body.5
2. The New Myers IV Drip
Feeling fatigued after being on the move? Recharge your body and restore balance with The New Myers IV Drip, designed to counteract stress, fight fatigue and calm inflammation from the inside out. Here’s what it comprises:
Glutathione:
As previously noted, Glutathione protects against oxidative stress, facilitates detoxification and supports balanced immune responses, which is key during exposure to environmental pollutants while traveling.
Magnesium:
This mineral regulates hundreds of enzymatic reactions, including those governing immune cell signaling and inflammatory cytokine production. Magnesium insufficiency has been associated with higher rates of infection, increased oxidative stress and impaired immune regulation.6
It is also a nerve-soothing mineral and can be a great help in combating fatigue and stress that often accompany travel. 14
Zinc:
Zinc reinforces the integrity of the epithelial tissue, the protective lining in our skin and gut. This helps to reduce pathogen exposure and modulates the function of immune-supporting white blood cells, including T cells, B cells and macrophages.7
2x Vitamin C:
This Drip also delivers twice the regular dose of Vitamin C, a nutrient that serves as both an antioxidant and an immunostimulant, reducing inflammation and strengthening host defense mechanisms.12
B Complex:
B Complex Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6) are essential for cellular energy metabolism, red blood cell production and the healthy function and proliferation of immune cells.15 They also play a supportive role in the body’s response to stress by contributing to the synthesis of stress-related hormones and helping maintain overall immune resilience.15,16
3. Tri-Immune Blend IM Shot
Can’t spare 60-90 minutes for an IV Drip before jetting off? Try our Tri-Immune Blend IM Shot that takes less than 5 minutes to help build stress resilience and support your body’s immune response. With a targeted combination of nutrients, it supports immune resilience and helps restore your body’s natural defense systems. It contains:
Glutathione:
Supports efficient detoxification and bolsters antioxidant defenses, while also recycling Vitamins C and E to maintain immune vigilance.17
Zinc:
Essential for gene expression in immune cells and defense against viral replication, especially important when traveling through airports or enclosed spaces.7
Vitamin C
Acts as both an antioxidant and a pro-oxidant to stimulate immune signaling and pathogen clearance.12
Why IV Drips and IM Shots May Offer Better Immune Resilience During Travel
Eating foods rich in nutrients like Vitamin C or B Complex Vitamins can help sustain immunity in the long run, but may not offer a quick defense against travel stresses.
IV Drips offer 100% nutrient bioavailability by bypassing the digestive process and delivering nutrients directly to the bloodstream. This is significantly higher than the 15–20% typically absorbed from food, beverages or oral supplements.
IM Shots, on the other hand, deliver a concentrated dose to the body within minutes. While the bioavailability of nutrients is highest with IV Drips, time constraints may discourage you from committing to them. IM Shots still offer high bioavailability and are a great alternative during a time crunch.
Other Travel-Friendly Therapies to Support Immunity
Need more energy before you leave or extra support with post-travel recovery symptoms like fatigue, poor sleep and inflammation? Ask our Nurse about complementing your travel-specific IV Drips with the following Restore therapies:
- Infrared Sauna: Using gentle infrared heat that penetrates the skin, Infrared Sauna raises your core body temperature. As this mimics what happens in the body after exercise, it can stimulate circulation, activate immune cells, support detoxification pathways and promote antioxidant defenses. It shows efficacy in alleviating symptoms of chronic pain and inflammation and in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.20
- Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy involves exposing your whole body to sub-zero temperatures for up to 3 minutes in a specialized chamber. Research shows that this triggers the body’s stress response, which can help reduce inflammation and boost antioxidant activity.18 It may also enhance the function of white blood cells, supporting the immune system during periods of environmental stress.
- Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHbOT) Pre-Trip: Breathing oxygen under slightly elevated pressure increases tissue oxygenation, which can improve cellular energy production and enhance immune cell function. Research shows that it may also help regulate inflammation and support the body’s natural defense mechanisms.19 Because mHbOT involves pressurization, it is best suited as a preventive therapy and is not recommended while actively ill.
Staying well while traveling isn't just about avoiding illness—it's about optimizing your body’s defenses before, during and after stress or exposure to pathogens. We recommend scheduling the IV Drip Therapy or IM Shot Therapy before travel for an immunity boost. If that’s not an option, many of our clients use them to support quick recovery after hectic travel schedules, too.
Our clinical-grade IV Drips and IM Shots go far beyond basic hydration to deliver a potent blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants backed by scientific evidence. Whether you’re headed across the country or overseas, these therapies provide an integrative approach to immune optimization that keeps you healthier and more energized on the move.
If you have questions about how targeted, nutrient-rich IV Drips and IM Shots can fit into your travel wellness strategy or support immune resilience, minimize downtime and help you adapt more smoothly to environmental stressors, our Medical Team will be happy to guide you. They can also recommend personalized nutrient blends or other therapies that may help.
Let’s create a personalized Wellness Plan that supports your travel plans or overall wellness goals. Book your appointment today!
FAQs for Immune Boosting IV Drips and IM Shots
1. What immune-support IVs and IM Shots can and can’t do?
All the IV Drips and IM Shots included in this guide are designed to support your body before travel. While some like the Defender IV Drip deliver a blend of immune-boosting nutrients, others like the New Myers IV Drip can support recovery post-travel and restore a sense of calm. That being said, they cannot cure or guarantee 100% protection against illnesses.
2. Can these IV Drips and IM Shots guarantee I won’t get sick while traveling?
While IV Drips and IM Shots can boost your immunity and help fight the symptoms of travel stress, they are just tools to support the body. No therapy can guarantee complete protection against all sicknesses, as additional factors like vaccination against common diseases, personal hygiene and current health status also play a key role.
*Medical services are provided by an independently owned physician practice. Some services may require medical clearance and a prescription. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Services, therapies, nutrients and prices may vary per location. The content on our site, blog posts, educational materials, app, promotional newsletters, and any other written content are not intended to replace an evaluation with a qualified healthcare professional and are not intended as medical advice.
