How supplements, wellness shots and IV therapy are redefining year-round immune support
By Laurel-Ann Dooley
Immune health used to be something you focused on during cold season—maybe with some orange juice and extra handwashing. But today? It’s a full-on lifestyle priority for many Atlantans aiming to feel energized, resilient and ready for anything all year long.
From high-end supplements to wellness shots and IV infusions, there’s no shortage of options. But with so many products and promises out there, how do you know what actually works—and what’s right for you?
Begin with the Basics
As you might have guessed, there’s no substitute for a solid foundation. In fact, ignoring “the basics of health and relying on a pill to fix everything” is one of the most common mistakes Align Health Coaching founder Gail Turner-Cooper sees. Druid Hills local, Turner-Cooper notes that “taking too many or poor quality supplements, or taking them and not really needing them or knowing what they are for” is a problem leading to potential harm and wasted money. Before pursuing nutritional extras, she recommends focusing on four goals:
• Prioritize restorative sleep. “Sleep is when your immune system resets and repairs. Aim for seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep.”
• Nourish your body with real food.
“Eat colorful vegetables and fruits, clean lean proteins, fermented foods and anti-inflammatory fats.”
• Manage stress. “Use breathwork, exercise and meditation. Mindset matters.”
• Check your vitamin D levels. “Get outside and absorb it through the skin. If you need to supplement, make sure to take with a fat, best done in the morning.”
Supplements: Take Only What You Need, Check Quality
If you want to add vitamin supplements, it’s key to first consult a medical expert to determine your specific needs. Like Turner-Cooper, Kristin Oja, founder of functional medicine practice STAT Wellness, points to random supplement taking as the most common misstep in nutrition health. “The biggest mistake we see is patients taking too many supplements and not knowing what their body actually needs,” she explains. Because the body seeks to maintain balance, over-supplementing with one nutrient can cause an imbalance in other areas. “For example, if you take high levels of zinc and don’t need it, it could suppress your copper.”
Additionally, because the supplement industry is not regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), quality can be a gamble. It’s important to look for third-party certifications from organizations like USP (United States Pharmacopeia), NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) International or ConsumerLab when purchasing.
Shots: A Concentrated Dose of Wellness
Wellness shots—small elixir servings—are another source of targeted benefits. Available at Atlanta healthy eating outlets like Kale Me Crazy, Arden’s Garden and dTox, wellness shots typically include ingredients rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds and micronutrients that support cellular health, immunity and recovery. For instance, Oja explains that wheatgrass is packed with chlorophyll, vitamin C and minerals like iron and magnesium. Turmeric—especially when combined with black pepper—delivers curcumin, a potent anti-inflammatory compound. Ginger aids digestion and offers antimicrobial and anti-nausea benefits.
IV Infusions and Injections: High Absorption Boosts
Intravenous (IV) therapy has been around for decades, but lately it’s become a go-to wellness trend. From hangover cures to immunity boosts, IV drips and vitamin shots have popped up everywhere, offering quick doses of hydration and nutrients straight to the bloodstream.
Fans say it’s faster and more effective than oral supplements, with benefits like more energy, better recovery and stronger immunity. And while more research is needed, interest keeps growing. In Georgia, treatments must be administered by licensed medical professionals (MD, LPN, or PA) and your first visit should include a quick health screening.
“We always say IV or injections are the cherry on top and shouldn’t replace a good healthy lifestyle since nutrition, stress management, quality sleep, hydration and laughter are the best tools for immune health,” says Oja. “But if you are looking for that cherry on top, we suggest a super immunity IV, which has some methylated B vitamins, zinc, vitamin C, magnesium and/or glutathione to help lower oxidative stress and help with detoxification.”
Prior to any treatment, Oja says the STAT Wellness team “evaluates vitamin D, adrenal hormones to see how they are responding to stress, CRP for inflammation, and some other variables to make sure there is nothing else that needs to be optimized for immune health. If patients need high dose vitamin C, they need a G6PD lab checked first to make sure they can tolerate it. We always like to make sure kidney and liver function look good as well.”
Essential Wellness 360 also offers IV infusions and began as a mobile IV hydration service during the pandemic. Founded by ER nurse Gigi Wilborn, after seeing COVID patients too weak to absorb oral vitamins, she researched IV therapy and launched her own practice. “When I got COVID, I gave myself an infusion and felt a real difference—it confirmed the power of what I was offering,” she says.
Now with a location in Serenbe, Wilborn takes a personalized, nurse-led approach. “We simply ask, ‘What’s your goal today?’ From there, I pair that goal with the client’s medical history to create a custom infusion,” she explains. Her most requested treatment? An immune-boosting blend packed with magnesium, vitamin B, C, zinc and glutathione—popular for both travel prep and post-illness recovery.
What’s Hot (and Actually Helping) in Immune Health Across Atlanta
Smart, science-backed strategies Atlantans are turning to year-round.
Custom IV Therapy
• Not your average drip—nurse-guided infusions are designed around your personal health goals, not just a menu.
Concentrated Wellness Shots
• Quick, nutrient-packed boosts featuring turmeric, ginger or wheatgrass, designed for fast absorption and targeted results.
Root-Cause Testing
• From inflammation markers to hormone levels, local practices are digging deeper to tailor immune support with precision.
Streamlined Supplement Stacks
• Less is more. With expert input, Atlantans are ditching the multivitamin overload and choosing only what their bodies truly need.
Lifestyle-First Wellness
• The real game-changer: dialing in nutrition, sleep and stress management before adding anything extra.
