The debate among health experts is intensifying, with authorities fuming over the false health benefits claimed by new Australian IV Hydration clinics.
Australia’s two Hydration Clinics – the ‘Hangover Clinic’, Sydney and the iv.me clinic, Melbourne – both claim to hydrate the body, cure hangovers, remove toxins and boost immunity.
In December 2015, VIVA! Communications posted a blog about the debate, which emerged following Australian Government officials and health experts questioning the safety and ethics of these new IV hydration clinics.
According to News.com.au, health experts have recently added further fuel to the fire by arguing IV hydration clinics are breaching more than just ethical boundaries, but also potentially consumer law, regarding the alleged health benefits of vitamin drips.
The article cites leading doctor and vehement opponent to the IV hydration clinics, Associate Professor Ken Harvey from Monash University, Melbourne who lodged an official complaint against the IV hydration clinics with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
“Why on earth would you choose to have a needle stuck in your vein? It’s pure crazy hype, stimulated by pictures of celebrities on social media,” said Prof Harvey.
Prior to these claims, in an article by the ABC posted on January 13, 2016, Australian Medical Association (AMA) Vice-President, Dr Stephen Parnis explained the treatment offered by the clinic was not based on evidence and was therefore, misleading the public.
Since the emergence of these clinics, celebrities such as Rihanna, Madonna and Natalie Imbruglia have become regular attendees in a bid to fast-track their recovery from a hangover.
Health experts claim many young Australians will heed the example of celebrities, using these so-called “health facilities” to binge drink and cheat their way to hangover recovery.
So Team VIVA! wishes to issue some simple health advice to all of our readers. If your head hurts the morning after a big night, your body is telling you that excessive alcohol consumption is bad for you! So don’t cheat the hangover, and more importantly, don’t cheat your health.