NAD IV Therapy Compared to Oral Nicotinamide Riboside

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is the co-enzyme (Cousin) form of vitamin B3 (niacin). Most of the studies on oral NAD have been done on the precursor molecule nicotinamide riboside. When getting an infusion, it’s pure NAD and there’s an immediate energy boost. When taken orally the energy improvement is more subtle. The key function of NAD is generating ATP through oxidative phosphorylation also known as the electron transport chain within the mitochondria. ATP is the energy currency that drives cellular metabolism; without it we would die. NAD gets converted back and forth to another compound called NADH. NAD can also be referred to as NAD+. NAD and NADH are found in different concentrations within tissues of the body. The heart muscle contains 90 mcg NADH per gram, muscle brain tissue to 50 mcg/g and red blood cells contain 4mcg/g. Tissues that contain more NADH generate more energy. Drugs and other toxins disrupt this delicate system.

NAD is used in addiction recovery centers. Long-term drug and alcohol use can decrease energy production in the mitochondria, intravenous NAD has been used at high doses to reboot cell machinery and reduce drug cravings. For this, patients start at 500 mg and go up to 1200mg (sometimes higher).

These treatments cost thousands. NAD has also been used in experimental studies to treat Parkinson’s disease, fatigue and other neuro degenerative disorders. Of interest is the fact that by age 50 NAD levels have declined by 50%.

 

This decline is thought to be one of the causes of typical age-related conditions such as cognitive decline, decreased motor function, immune system dysfunction and inflammatory conditions such as cardiovascular disease and arthritis. Increasing NAD levels in the blood can affect these aspects of  human health through a number of different pathways.

These pathways and biological effects include:

1. Protection and repair of DNA
2. Stabilization of the epigenome
3. Improvement of mitochondrial function
4. Increased ATP production
5. Antioxidant
6. Regulation of circadian rhythm
7. Regulation of inflammation
8. Effects on cells signaling and cell division
9. Essentially this is how NAD can help slow down aging and improve a number of body functions.

NAD and Exercise Performance

There has been research on human exercise performance as well. In a 2019 a double-blind cross-over study NAD improved exercise performance in older individuals. The study also demonstrated that oxidative stress was reduced with NAD supplementation.

Because NAD can protect the heart it’s particularly helpful for athletes over 50 looking to prevent unwanted exercise-induced cardiac changes and recover from exercise. Because ATP levels increase in cardiac muscle, cardiac function may improve. Also because NAD is a potent antioxidant cardiac cells may be protected due to oxidative stress from prolonged exercise because there is more NAD concentrated in cardiac muscle heart than in other tissues. Muscle remodeling in response to exercise can be enhanced. In addition, NAD can help reverse arterial aging, a major cause of a number of age-related degenerative conditions.

NAD is very popular right now in ‘anti-aging medicine’ largely because of the work of David Sinclair, PhD at Harvard and his best-selling book Lifespan. It’s been discovered that NAD is one of the three substances shown to reverse biological age. The other two are human growth hormone and DHEA.

NAD IV Therapy Administration

NAD needs to be infused slowly in some patients. Rapid infusion may cause elevated heart rate and nausea. NAD is absorbed orally but intravenous infusions are 100% absorbed. Intravenous NAD does not have to navigate through the stomach and liver after ingestion; it goes straight into the blood. Additionally, acute levels of NAD may be achieved facilitating quicker cellular repair. It’s a good idea to take coenzyme Q 10 and oral NAD therapy every day as well.

The standard protocol for anti-aging is one 500 mg IV per month. We have also found that lower doses done more frequently provide even better effects. The science backs up NAD as a treatment either for specific conditions like atherosclerosis or those interested in protecting DNA and lowering inflammation. We strongly recommend getting blood work to look at certain markers so that patients can see before and after improvement. A biological age test before and 12 months after receiving IV NAD can be educational. This test measures methylation points on DNA and is considered to be the most accurate test to date.

How do you know if NAD infusions are for you? First, if you have any arterial disease (atherosclerosis), inflammatory or neurological disorders, unexplained fatigue, or are an athlete over 50, intravenous NAD could help. If you’re interested in slowing the aging process it is also a good idea.

Cost of NAD Infusions

Typically, 500 mg NAD infusions are $600 at medical offices across the nation. Why is NAD IV Therapy so expensive? A couple reasons: one is due to the amount of time it takes occupying an IV chair, and the other is that the product itself is expensive. Our costs range from $235.00 to $500.00 for 500 mg. It’s important to drip this IV slowly. To get NAD at our facility you need to become a patient first as it’s ill advised in some medical conditions. Package pricing can be discussed.

NatureMed has Advanced Training in NAD IV Therapy

Why choose NatureMed for IV Therapy? We believe strongly in preventive, holistic in integrative medical care for patients. The staff at NatureMed have the most advanced training in intravenous therapies available and have been doing this for 20 years. All our supplies are the highest medical grade, and we have a state-of-the-art IV mixing area. Unlike other hydration bars and IV spas we have a doctor on staff at all times. Additionally our staff receives intravenous training every year and our doctors frequently update their certification in advanced IV therapeutics.

Please call our front desk to get started: 303-884-7557

 

Dolopikou, C.F., Kourtzidis, I.A., Margaritelis, N.V. et al. Acute nicotinamide riboside supplementation improves redox homeostasis and exercise performance in old individuals: a double-blind cross-over study. Eur J Nutr 59, 505–515 (2020).

Verdin E. NAD⁺ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. Science. 2015 Dec 4;350(6265):1208-13.

Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA. Therapeutic Potential of NAD-Boosting Molecules: The In Vivo Evidence. Cell Metab. 2018 Mar 6;27(3):529-547.

Matasic DS, Brenner C, London B. Emerging potential benefits of modulating NAD⁺ metabolism in cardiovascular disease. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2018 Apr 1;314(4):H839-H852.