As people grow older, they tend to become more concerned with maintaining their overall health and well-being. One way to do this is through regular exercise, which can help to improve physical fitness and mental clarity. While eating a healthy diet is also important, the digestive process of converting food into energy can take time. To address this, certain therapies may be helpful in promoting overall wellness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle as we age.
What is NAD+?
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in all of our cells that has garnered increasing attention in the fields of anti-aging and other health issues. It is known as NAD+ in its active form and NADH in its inactive form. NAD+ has been found to have numerous beneficial effects on overall wellness and lifespan. As we age, our natural levels of NAD+ tend to decrease, and therefore, various therapies have been developed to boost NAD+ levels in the body.
Is NAD+ Therapy Safe?
NAD+ therapy, when administered in low, controlled doses, is generally considered to be as safe as other types of supplemental IV therapy. This is because NAD+ is a naturally occurring substance in all living cells, and introducing additional NAD+ in specific amounts is safe. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any medical procedure, including NAD+ therapy, to discuss potential risks and benefits based on your individual health and medical history. Some people may experience minor physical symptoms such as nausea, cramping, redness, and soreness at the injection site after receiving NAD+ therapy.
Does NAD+ Therapy Work Different Than Supplements?
NAD+ therapy is administered intravenously and directly enters the bloodstream, bypassing the need for digestion that occurs when taking vitamins and nutrients orally or through dietary supplements. This means that NAD+ therapy works faster than these methods, as the body’s natural digestive process can take hours for all the nutrients to reach the bloodstream.
What to Know About NAD+ Therapy?
NAD+ therapy involves increasing low levels of NAD+ through intravenous delivery of liquid supplements. This artificial process is typically administered by trained professionals in a medical setting, such as a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital. If your healthcare provider recommends NAD+ therapy, you will need to visit a designated facility, undergo a health screening, and have the nutrients delivered directly into your bloodstream through a needle inserted into a vein in your arm or hand. The NAD+ is dispensed through a rubberized line and drip bag.
Benefits of NAD+ therapy
There are many potential benefits of NAD+ therapy that are currently being researched and documented. The U.S. National Institutes of Health has suggested that higher levels of NAD+ may assist with certain biological processes, including:
- Improving brain function and neurodegeneration.
- Improving vasculature. This means boosted neovascularization, blood flow, and capillary density.
- Better liver function with lowered hepatic steatosis and more capacity for regeneration.
- Muscle improvements related to less atrophy enhanced mitochondrial function and boosted physical activity.
- Improved pancreatic function, including better B-cell function, insulin secretion, and reduced inflammation.
- Lowered dyslipidemia and preventing insulin resistance.
- Less inflammation and better immune cell function.
- Higher energy levels.
- NAD+ therapy may also improve overall metabolic health.
- Higher NAD+ levels can make it easier to digest fatty acids and glucose and is critical for muscle development and hemostasis.
- There may be some evidence that maintaining NAD+ levels may improve mental wellness.
Many other biological processes may benefit from NAD+ therapy, including:
- Repairing and protecting DNA. A report by the U.S. National Institutes of Health revealed surprising results – that boosting NAD+ levels may repair aging DNA.
- Gene expression.
- Boosting NAD+ levels may make it easier to pull cellular energy from nutrition.
- Maintaining mitochondrial function.
- Preserving Chromosomal integrity.
- Calcium signaling.
- Epigenetic and posttranslational modifications.
There are other ways to boost NAD+ levels naturally. It should also be noted that many of the issues discussed thus far could also benefit from ketamine therapy.
Final Thoughts
It is generally recommended, but not required, to consult with a healthcare professional before receiving NAD+ therapy to discuss its risks, benefits, and potential effectiveness for your specific health concerns. A medical examination is typically the first step in evaluating overall health and understanding any symptoms or underlying conditions that may need to be treated. This is the best way to determine if NAD+ therapy is right for you. Contact us today to get started!
