What does science say about NAD+?

NAD is an essential substance that every cell in your body needs in order to be healthy. When NAD levels get too low, the aging process speeds up, mental processes slow down, and an individual’s general health can decline.

Ever since my last newsletter about Aging, I’ve gotten several questions about NAD+ therapy and what it is.

People have always been searching for ways to continue feeling young. While there is no way to turn back time, researchers are finding there may be some anti-aging supplements that can help reverse or slow the signs of aging. Currently, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) boosters are getting a lot of hype for their claimed anti-aging benefits. Today, we’ll explore what the science has to say.

Before I get you all excited about NAD, here’s a link to last week’s newsletter on ”New Beginnings, get in Shape", if you missed it, click Here.

As always, we’re excited to bring you the latest and greatest news in the world of health and wellness! Let’s learn about NAD and why the science has everyone so intrigued….

What is NAD and how does it help the body?

NAD is an essential substance that every cell in your body needs in order to be healthy, and it is produced naturally in the body. But, if your nutrition doesn’t include the proper amount or type of nutrients, NAD+ levels can get low. The older a person is, the less NAD+ they have circulating in their body.

When NAD levels get too low, the aging process speeds up, mental processes slow down, and an individual’s general health can decline.

Researchers think they may have an answer to pre-mature aging, and are working diligently in many human clinical trials to see if NAD Therapy can restore cellular health to significantly slow the aging process, promote neurological functioning, and boost general health.

Below are some of the processes that NAD helps within the body:

  • Enhanced neurological function

The brain needs plenty of oxygen and simple sugars to do its job and function at its best. Though the brain is small compared to the rest of the body, it eats up about 20% of the body’s entire supply of oxygen! NAD is an important part of the energy-production equation for the brain. Without enough NAD, the brain’s oxygen requirements can’t be met and brain function declines.

  • Maintenance or restoration of muscle function or strength

NAD enhances blood flow and increases cellular energy levels, having a positive impact on strength, coordination, and athletic ability, while improving DNA repair in muscle tissues.

  • Weight loss promotion

NAD IV Therapy plays a role in chemical reactions that can boost metabolism in the body by efficiently converting food into energy. Read more about NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during aging, Here.

Enhance liver health

The liver is an important organ in the body and it’s very sensitive to declining levels of NAD. Individuals who have over-stressed their liver or a high-fat diet may benefit from NAD Therapy to support healthy liver function.

  • Fatigue reduction and improved energy levels

NAD amps up cellular batteries to reduce physical fatigue. This substance may increase levels of certain molecules in the body that improve energy levels and recovery after physical exertion.

  • Lifespan extension

Doctors and scientists have been investigating the effects of NAD Therapy on aging for years and research has demonstrated positive results particularly on blood vessels and the cardiovascular system, brain, and nervous system. NAD+ promotes DNA repair which typically declines with age. Regular maintenance doses of NAD+ have been shown to promote cellular survival.

If you're curious and would like more in-depth reading about NAD, check out some of the research links below:

Here’s the good news; there are natural ways to boost NAD+ levels 🤩

Natural ways to boost NAD+ levels

It’s possible to boost your NAD+ levels without taking a supplement. Here are a few ways studies suggest you can increase your NAD levels naturally and support healthy aging:

  • Exercise consistently: Studies suggest that cardio and strength training workouts, like running, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and weight lifting, help increase and preserve NAD+ levels. Read more, Here.

  • Eat a nutritious diet: Eating a healthy diet full of foods containing dietary precursors to NAD and activators for the biosynthesis of NAD (like the antioxidant resveratrol in grapes) may help keep your NAD+ levels higher. Some foods with NAD precursors include turkey, cucumber, cabbage, avocado, tomato, and shrimp. Read more, Here.

  • Wear sunscreen: Since NAD+ helps to repair cells after damage caused by sun exposure, wearing sunscreen and protective clothing may help preserve NAD+ levels. Read more, Here.

  • Reduce calories: Research suggests that reducing calories (within a healthy range) and intermittent fasting may help preserve NAD+ levels. Read more, Here.

What is “alternative” NAD+ Therapy?

 

NAD+ therapy involves administering nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to boost levels of this molecule in the body. As we learned earlier, NAD+ is a coenzyme that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including energy metabolism and DNA repair. So, what makes this therapy so exciting? Well, research suggests that boosting NAD+ levels could have numerous health benefits!

NAD+ therapy can be administered in several ways, including intravenous (IV) infusion, oral supplements, or nasal sprays. IV infusion is the most common method of administration and involves the injection of NAD+ directly into the bloodstream. This allows for rapid absorption and immediate effects. Oral supplements and nasal sprays are also available, but they may be less effective due to poor absorption and metabolism in the digestive system.

Some studies have suggested that NAD+ therapy may be helpful in treating addiction, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, some research has suggested that NAD+ therapy could help slow down the aging process and increase lifespan. Pretty exciting, right?

Of course, as with any new therapy, it's important to exercise caution and speak with me before trying NAD+ therapy. However, the potential benefits are definitely worth exploring!

****We offer NAD IV Therapy at our offices, but only after meeting with me first for a consultation.

What to Expect at a NAD+ IV Therapy Treatment

The NAD IV Therapy process is simple and relaxing. Together we will choose the treatment that best fits your needs, and I may add in some extra supplements to customize the treatment even further. 

Below is the process:

Step 1: Request an IV Treatment

Schedule your appointment with me, HERE 

Step 2: Doctor Review

 I will review your treatment and make sure that it’s right for you based on your medical history.

Step 3: Nurse Visit

 A qualified member of our medical team will administer the IV drip in one of our office locations.

Step 4: Feel Better!

You’ll get hydrated and experience how IV therapy can improve your health almost immediately!

 I may customize your IV treatment cocktail to get the most out of your drip therapy. In the next section, I’ll describe more about vitamins and supplements that might be added to your NAD IV bag for more pronounced health benefits.

What is in the NAD therapy IV bags?

NAD IV therapy bags consist of a mixture of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) and saline. Therapy bags may contain either 500mg or 1000mg of NAD depending on which condition or issue you are treating. In addition to the NAD and saline, I may add additional components to increase the health value of a single infusion:

Glutathione is a combination of the amino acids L-cysteine, L-glutamate, and glycine. It is used for reparation of cells and DNA, detoxification, and reversal of oxidative cell damage. Adding this may be beneficial for individuals receiving treatment for drug abuse, and it is also great for individuals with degenerative brain diseases, diabetes, and liver disease.

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that can help grow and repair body tissues, and is therefore also good for athletes looking to repair their muscles and tissues. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means that it can help repair oxidative damage in the body that is due to illness, excessive stress, or age.

Also called cobalamin, vitamin B12 is an especially important nutrient for individuals over the age of 50 and for people who are vegetarian or vegan. It is also valuable for building more red blood cells and for bone support. Regular infusions of vitamin B12 can be helpful for vegans, individuals over the age of 50 years, and anyone suffering from any form of dementia.

The Myer’s Cocktail is a very popular IV infusion because of its ability to successfully treat a wide range of medical conditions and issues. It is composed of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and B-vitamins (including B-12). It can be used for athletic recovery, detoxification of all kinds, anti-aging, and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disease, inflammation in the body, migraines, depression, stress, and more.

Our Vitamin B-complex infusion contains a combination of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, biotin (B7), folic acid (B9), and B12. The B-vitamins play an essential role in our bodies and perform many functions. Some of the numerous benefits of a B-complex infusion include improved metabolism and fat reduction, increased energy due to increased red blood cell production, better mood, and overall improved mental acuity and physical performance.

 L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid that the body needs in higher quantities under certain circumstances. The addition of L-arginine can be valuable for athletes who want to improve their performance, individuals with high blood pressure, and for diabetics who want to improve regulation of blood sugar.

Biotin is an essential water-soluble vitamin in the B-family that’s sometimes also referred to as vitamin H. Biotin helps with the conversion of certain nutrients into energy and it plays an important role in the health of hair, skin, and nails. As such, this is an excellent choice for anyone concerned about losing hair or hair regrowth or slowing the aging process in general.

Branched Chain Amino Acids have an anabolic effect on the body to reduce muscle protein breakdown which improves muscle-building capabilities. These amino acids can improve athletic performance and general muscle recovery.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals that cause premature aging and other health issues. Boosting levels of vitamin C and glutathione is a great way to promote general health and can promote and enhance immunity as well. This is an excellent addition to IV therapy to lessen the symptoms of cold or flu or to help build immunity during times when you need it most.

Taurine is an amino acid and a semi-essential nutrient that’s recommended as a therapeutic agent in a variety of health situations involving issues with the circulatory system, muscles, central nervous system, mitochondrial diseases, lactic acidosis, strokes and stroke-like episodes, diabetes and other metabolic diseases, inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, and more.

NAD IV Therapy with additional customized supplements added may be my suggestion after we complete your consultation.

Is NAD IV Therapy safe?

NAD therapy is not FDA approved, however the FDA does consider it to be a safe treatment when administered in doses less than 2 grams per day. The FDA has acknowledged this therapy’s efficacy for the treatment of benzodiazepine dependence, opiate withdrawal, prescription medication withdrawal, and post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). It is also acknowledged to be effective and safe in reducing the effects of chronic fatigue.

Studies agree that NAD therapy along with other related nutrient infusion therapies have little to no adverse effect and present almost entirely positive, beneficial effects.

How long does NAD IV therapy take?

NAD therapy is usually administered over a period of a few days for the best results, lasting between 2-4 hours per infusion. The duration of the therapy can be anywhere between a few days to a few months depending on the issues you are treating. It may also occasionally be administered as an independent treatment done as a booster after the longer infusion sessions.

For most conditions, treatment is administered as a 2-4 hour-long infusion being 500mg - 1000mg.

In some instances, it is recommended that one infusion be administered every other week. And then after the first three treatments, a maintenance infusion is performed monthly.

Neurological disorders and issues are treated differently as well. Over the course of 5-7 days, the patient will receive a daily infusion of 500mg of NAD. They may also choose to receive the treatment every other day over the course of 10-14 days.

NAD is such a versatile intravenous therapy! It is important for me to meet with you first to make sure that you receive the maximum quality results.

THE BOTTOM LINE

"I believe that you can, by taking some simple and inexpensive measures, lead a longer life and extend your years of well-being. My most important recommendation is that you take vitamins to supplement the vitamins that you don’t receive in your food.”

NAD IV therapy is a treatment that makes use of a coenzyme (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) that’s found in all living cells. In order to be healthy, all cells throughout the entire body need NAD and today, many people use NAD IV therapy as a biohack to prevent illness and keep their internal organs functioning optimally. 

IV therapy can be used to promote better overall health. It works at the molecular level with DNA to make sure each cell has plenty of energy.

If you would like to see if IV Therapy is something that you would benefit from, Schedule your appointment with me, HERE.

Or, give us a call at (973) 210-3838

I want to hear from you! What concerns to you have about NAD and/or IV Therapy? Did you find this newsletter helpful?

Share your thoughts in the comments on our

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We bring tools such as these to you, our patients, by using proven cutting-edge therapies to extend the health-span, life-span and years of health for everyone (no matter their age)!

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Dr Derek Ferguson