An Inside into NAD+ IV Therapy

Introduction:

By now, you may have heard about NAD and NAD IV’s, because of the various powerhouse health and wellness benefits. Many clinics are starting to offer NAD infusions or therapies because they may help a wide variety of symptoms that people are facing, such as fatigue, moodiness, brain fog, poor detoxification, unexplained weight gain, low energy, signs of aging, and inflammation. 

While these problematic symptoms have a root cause, NAD IV’s can be a wellness tool to help  assist in the healing process in conjunction with lifestyle changes like eating a balanced diet, stress management, exercise, gut health, detoxification, and rest. 

📖 Keep reading below to learn more about NAD, what it does, its benefits, and much more!

Table of Contents

What is NAD?

NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is an important coenzyme found within the cells of the body and has many important functions, such as: regulating metabolic energy, lowering inflammatory responses, enhancing mood and energy, cellular repair and so much more (see below for more on benefits). However, as our bodies age, our natural NAD levels start to decline, which can lead to unwanted symptoms, or be a factor of unwanted symptoms. Supplementing with NAD IV therapy can be beneficial for many people to feel their best and aid in enhanced wellness practices.

What does NAD do for your body?

Like mentioned above, NAD is a coenzyme found naturally in our bodies and plays a vital role in hundreds of healthy cellular processes, but to name a few: 

  • Energy metabolism & mitochondrial function: NAD is a carrier for redox enzymes, which are important for a healthy and functioning metabolism
  • DNA repair: NAD aids in repairing damaged cells
  • Cellular signaling: NAD helps to regulate enzymes that modify proteins
  • Stress responses: NAD supports the body to have a healthy stress response 
  • Circadian rhythm: NAD is powerful at maintaining a routine sleep/wake cycle which contributes to less brain fog and unexplained fatigue

It is important to help support and restore lost levels of NAD as we age, to reduce the likelihood of unwanted health issues/symptoms. 

What are the symptoms of NAD deficiency?

Lower levels of NAD within the body may effect every part of the body, but has a direct effect on healthy cellular energy levels. Most commonly, people with a deficiency in NAD report feeling easily fatigued, have brain fog, feel weak, and forgetful. 

Other symptoms may include:

  • Chronic inflammation
  • Troubles sleeping, like insomnia or staying asleep 
  • Gut and GI issues and abdominal pain
  • Unexplained weight gain
  • Brittle hair, nails and unhealthy/aging skin 
  • Infertility

Symptoms of NAD deficiency will look different for everyone and differ based on current state of health, too. Root causes of symptoms are also complex, but NAD deficiency could be part of the puzzle. If you are concerned about your health, it might be best to seek help from a functional health practitioner while getting NAD+ support to help with symptoms.

What are the benefits of NAD?

There are so many benefits of NAD, some benefits may be different for everyone based on what their health concerns are. 

Below are some of the main benefits that you can expect when supplementing specifically with NAD IV Therapy:

  • Increased metabolic function and healthy weight management 
  • Reverse unwanted signs of aging 
  • Support cognitive function and reduce brain fog
  • Reduce total body inflammation and chronic pain
  • Boost energy, improve mental clarity, and reduce chronic fatigue 
  • May help aid in relief from anxiety and depression
  • Repair DNA and cellular damage 
  • Improve sleep and sleep cycles 
  • Enhances mitochondrial health–> improved egg and sperm health for fertility

While there are many benefits of NAD for the body, if you are wanting more details on how this can personally benefit you, consult with one of our NP providers.

Watch our team’s NAD IV Benefits video below 👇 

Why is NAD important?

To put it simply, NAD is important because it is a major factor responsible for creating cellular energy and maintaining healthy cellular function. Since NAD is found in every cell of our body, if only some of these cells are working properly, it can impose health concerns/symptoms that can make us feel very sluggish, experience the effects of chronic inflammation, have unexplained weight gain, etc. 

⭐️ Note: this is not to say that a decrease/lack of NAD is the only problem leading to unwanted symptoms, there can be other root causes going on within the body leading to these symptoms, as well. We always recommend implementing “basic”, yet vital, lifestyle changes such as: eating a well balanced diet filled with vegetables, animal protein, and gluten-free carbs; minimizing stressors, exercising and moving daily, prioritizing sleep and rest, reducing toxins in your environment, making sure all detox pathways are working, and working on gut health. 

Making these lifestyle changes and supplementing with NAD through IV therapy can tremendously help with many of the unwanted symptoms people might be experiencing. If there is a case out of our scope, we will refer out to a functional practitioner, like Marisa Faye, for further assistance. 

Is NAD the same as vitamin B3?

NAD is the active coenzyme form of vitamin B3, so it is not exactly the same, but is a form of B3. Overall, all B vitamins play a role in energy metabolism for our bodies to function properly and feel their best (so they are very important 😉!)

At what age does NAD begin to decline?

NAD levels may start to decrease in the mid 20’s, but around the age of 40 is when most people will have around a 50% decrease in their NAD levels. However, keep in mind that there are many factors that contribute to healthy NAD levels and how fast levels may decline. These factors include things such as diet, lifestyle, gender, stress responses, other supplements, gut health, etc. It may be safe to say that most people can benefit from supplementing with NAD in their wellness routines!

How can I increase my NAD naturally?

Below are a few ways to increase NAD levels naturally:

  • Focus on a diet rich in B vitamins and “gut-loving” fermented foods
  • Exercise your body preferably every day
  • Healthy fasting (10-12 hours) *this may not be an option for every individual, always talk with your provider*
  • Maintain a warm body temperature 
  • Healthy sun exposure to increase vitamin D levels 
  • Supplementing, orally or through IV therapy 

Keep in mind: It may require a combination of several of these tips to notice the benefits of NAD levels increasing. Supplementing with NAD IV therapy can provide quicker results, because the NAD  goes directly into the blood stream via the IV, and can be absorbed more efficiently than taking an oral form that has to go through the GI tract. 

As always, if you are concerned about your NAD levels, get your labs tested with a provider and re-test after certain changes are made to see if there’s any improvement.

Who is a good candidate for NAD IV's?

Individuals who are good candidates for NAD IV’s might be experiencing:

  • Fatigue, low energy, brain fog, cognitive issues, needing support with detox pathways, anxiety/depression, unexplained weight gain, hormonal issues, sleep issues, infertility and more.

Additionally, those who are seeking to enhance their overall wellness, focus on healthy aging, and wanting to feel their best might be a good candidate for NAD IV’s, too. You do not have to be experiencing issues/symptoms to be a good candidate for this IV therapy treatment. 

*Reminder: This is not medical advice. Always talk with your prescribing provider about what treatments are best for you.

How often should you get NAD IV's?

The frequency of getting NAD IV’s is customized to each individual/their symptoms, NAD deficiency levels, and their wellness goals. Typically, people who are experiencing symptoms receive a NAD IV 1-2 times per week for the first couple of months. Once they are feeling better, or noticing improvements, they can then taper off and complete maintenance treatments

If someone is seeking to enhance their wellness, but does not have major symptom concerns, it is more common to get a NAD IV’s 1-2 times per month. Again, this is very individualized, and to get the best treatment plan, we recommend to talk with one of our NP providers. 

Are there any side effects to NAD IV's?

As with any medical procedure/treatment it is important to be educated on side effects/risks. 

While most side effects from IV therapy are mild, temporary, and resolve on their own, below are some potential side effects: 

  • Bruising, redness, swelling, or tenderness at the IV insertion site
  • Nausea/stomach discomfort
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Flushing
  • Diarrhea 
  • Muscle cramping
  • Allergic reaction, rare but always possible

Ensure your provider goes through a thorough medical history/consent before treatment, and talk to them about all potential side effects to be aware of before starting treatment.

If you experience any of these symptoms after a NAD IV, and feel they are not subsiding after a few minutes/hours, be sure to call your provider and let them know ASAP. 

 

Who should not get a NAD IV?

Overall, NAD IV’s are considered safe and effective for most people because our bodies already have NAD within them. However, there is some research that shows people who have cancer should not get these treatments. This is because they could increase fuel for cancer or because the NAD supplementation may interfere with the cancer treatments and make them less effective. 

Always talk with your provider if NAD IV therapy is right for you, before starting treatments. 

How long does it take NAD to start working?

Most people report that they feel an immediate boost in their energy levels and more mental clarity after a NAD IV infusion. However, keep in mind that everyone is different, and it may take a few consistent treatments before you start noticing improvements in your own health journey. Additionally, sometimes people may feel some “detoxing” symptoms after their first couple of treatments. This is a normal body reaction, because the NAD is helping to encourage the body to detox the unwanted pathogens in the body. 

How does NAD make you feel?

NAD tends to boosts serotonin, aka the happy chemicals in the brain, which lightens people’s mood and makes them feel more joyful. Also, NAD aids in reducing fatigue, so many people feel an energy boost and less brain fog. 

Conclusion:

As you have read, NAD is a powerhouse enzyme needed for our bodies to function optimally. At Elite, we encourage clients to incorporate wellness treatments/practices and healthy lifestyle habits to ensure they are feeling their best = looking their best, too! NAD IV infusions have benefited many of our staff members and clients, AND as a bonus, you can add this treatment on to your favorite aesthetic treatment!

If you are in the Lone Tree, CO area, book a consultation or a treatment below.

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