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| Myers' Cocktail Article (July 2001) Neither Shaken Nor Stirred by J.P. Saleeby, MD Rapid intravenous infusion of a concoction containing vitamins and minerals seemed an interesting treatment for a variety of ailments. This was first brought to my attention at the grand opening of my clinic in February of this year. The conversation was with a husband and wife team, well versed in natural medicine, and proprietors of a local health food store. As the conversation progressed, it centered around something known as the “Myers’ Cocktail” or the “Gaby-Wright Cocktail.” The health food store owners knew of a medical doctor who lectured nationally that recommended such a cocktail for a myriad of illnesses. As fate would have it I was to attend a symposium later that same month entitled “Nutritional Therapy in Medical Practice” given by non other than Dr. Alan R. Gaby. This symposium was sponsored by the Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Luke’s- Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. :p> :p> Of the five hundred or so in attendance from around the country I was hoping to bring back some real pearls of wisdom to Savannah, GA. The most fascinating course included many lectures on the importance of nutrition in daily life and in treating disease. Every lecture was supported and referenced by evidence found in the medical literature. Dr. Alan R. Gaby, MD as well as Dr. Jonathan V. Wright, MD are both luminaries in the field of nutritional / alternative medicine and the gains in knowledge in this area of medicine were tremendous for me. Dr. Gaby would often interject humorous self-accompanied guitar ditties about medicine, med-school and life. But most important and striking was the topic of the Myers’ Cocktail. First introduced by Dr. Myers in the mid 20th century and then forgotten until it was re-introduced by Dr's. Gaby and Wright a decade ago, it is a mixture of relatively high doses of five vitamins and two minerals, which can to some degree be individualized to each patient and their needs. It is quickly infused through an IV and in some patients the effects may last weeks. The theory behind high dose and quick infusions is that these vitamins and minerals are forced into the cells by sheer overload and are hence “trapped” intracellularly, where their effects last long beyond the expected short time following the infusion. Currently Dr. Gaby and Dr. Harry Adelson are conducting a pilot study into the effects of the Myers’ Cocktail at the Naturopathic Medical Center at the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, CT. Independently, my center is also collecting date on patients undergoing this infusion. The prospects are exciting; will the data back up the case studies and anecdotal claims that have been made over the decades? The treatment is recommended and has been used with great success according to Dr. Gaby in treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Depression, Fibromyalgia, Asthma (both acute flair-ups and the chronic condition), Urticaria, Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, Chronic Sinusitis, Congestive Heart Failure, Ischemic Vascular Disease, Dementia, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Bronchitis, and especially Acute Viral and Bacterial infections. On a personal note, I was recently infused with a 60cc bolus over 10 minutes after acquiring a “cold.” My recovery, which would usually last 3 to 4 days, was achieved in only 24 hours and all the while working a rough 12-hour ER shift. Needless to say I am most impressed with its success in managing upper respiratory infections. JP Saleeby, MD is medical director of clinical medicine and clinical research trials at the Saleeby Longevity Institute. The center is the first totally dedicated Integrative Medical clinic in Savannah, GA and the first to offer the Myers' Cocktail IV infusions. For more information please call (912) 201-9464.
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