NAD+ Therapy
Brain fog, spacing out, losing your train of thought, and getting sidetracked— all of these are everyday terms for a decline in mental clarity. They are all also some of the most common symptoms of an NAD+ deficiency, along with anxiety, depression, and even decreased heart and metabolic health.
NAD+ isn’t something that is often discussed in your typical doctor’s office. So if you aren’t familiar with it, you can take comfort in knowing that you aren’t alone. We typically have discussions about improving health and longevity in our office. Our team at Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness is very excited to be your guide through this process of understanding what’s best to suit both your health goals and needs. We can help you understand all the potential benefits that NAD+ IV treatments can have on your overall health and whether or not this is a treatment you can benefit from.
What Is NAD+?
NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is best thought of as a support molecule essential for cellular metabolism and communication. It is a coenzyme found in every living cell and has even been called an anti-aging molecule because of its many important roles in promoting health and prolonging your lifespan. Studies have also shown that it can help battle many effects of aging and chronic conditions on the human body and brain.
To put it plainly, NAD+ is essential to living. But as we get older, our bodies generate less and less of this vital coenzyme. This is one reason why we begin to feel the effects of aging and become more prone to age-related illnesses as the years pass by.
One of the ways you can supplement NAD+ in your body is through IV therapy. It is an all-natural way to help your body fight against aging and illness to feel healthier and more youthful. Infusing your body with NAD+ via an IV infusion is the only way to ensure that you get 100% bioavailability from the molecule. This means that your body will absorb the highest possible supplemental coenzymes and convert them into molecular energy.
“I feel like the 100 lb bag of bricks was lifted from my head, my concentration went WAY UP, and I’m starting to notice that I’m remembering details easier. I felt so many other side benefits, like boosted energy and reduced inflammation, that I will continue with an NAD+ IV as part of my monthly regime!”
Anonymous, 55-year-old female patient who was feeling the cognitive decline in memory, concentration, and was overwhelmed with information overload this past year.
Proactive vs. Reactive Health
Health is like money, if you don’t plan on working forever you have to be proactive. We take health investing very seriously As the name suggests, reactive health is when you are waiting for a specific issue to arise before treating it. An example of this would be developing insomnia and then looking for a solution to treat only that problem. If you don’t want to spend your time symptom chasing and taking drugs for your drugs then you need to try investing in proactive care.
Proactive health goes hand in hand with a holistic approach. Rather than waiting for a specific issue to develop, we instead focus on being intentional about our eating choices, exercise and supplementation to help avoid problems from developing. It’s one of the core considerations of naturopathic medicine and a fundamental tenet at Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness.
“I have a demanding job and I have noticed my ability to handle stress has been improved greatly. I’m more relaxed and even keeled. My head feels less cloudy, I’m sleeping much better, and my sex drive is off the charts!”
Katherine, 55-year-old female patient
Having one of our Optimal Wellness Checks to help you discover potential health risks and then address them through NAD+ IV infusions is a perfect example of being proactive.
Depending on where you are in your personal health journey, NAD+ can function as both a proactive or reactive approach. Your cognitive brain function, heart health and metabolism are a few of the most common areas that NAD+ can help bolster, regardless of whether you have noticed symptoms yet.
How Does NAD+ Help My Brain?
One of the most apparent and common side effects of getting older is a decline in our brain function. As we age, we become forgetful; we are not as sharp or as quick to react as we used to be. NAD+ controls the production of the protein PGC-1-alpha, which protects neurons and other cells in the central nervous system (the mechanism responsible for our reaction times and ability to process information) from oxidative stress.
This particular effect may be linked to improved memory, particularly with aging. Most people describe feeling like a mental fog has been lifted after undergoing NAD+ therapy. This overall improvement in mental sharpness helps us feel better day to day and contributes to this sense of well-being.
A simple NAD+ IV infusion can help activate your brain’s neuron function by assisting cells in regenerating and protecting them against damage. This results in increased mental clarity, higher concentration and enhanced memory function.
“I did a series of 6 NAD IV’s to address my cognitive decline. I’ve noticed an improvement in my re-call. I’m not feeling as forgetful! A nice added surprise is my quality of sleep has definitely improved, and I have more energy. I’m now on a monthly maintenance for NAD+ IV – that was a no-brainer!
Scott, 66-year-old male patient
How Does NAD+ Help My Anxiety and Depression?
Research has shown that people with critically low levels of NAD are at a higher risk for developing anxiety, depression and other mental disorders. NAD+ therapy have been shown to be effective in elevating your mood and relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression.
How Does NAD+ Help My Heart?
In a 2017 study, researchers found that NAD+ helped lower blood pressure and reduce the stiffness of the aorta — two factors that can contribute to heart strain. In 2018, a different study published findings that there was compelling evidence to support the hypothesis that an expanded NAD+ pool benefits a failing heart.
Unfortunately, blood pressure increases and the development of more rigid arteries is a side effect of the one thing none can control: aging. Even though we can’t stop that process, we can be proactive (or even reactive) in improving heart health through NAD+ infusions.
Although NAD+ is still in the early stages of research for potential heart benefits, there is already overwhelming confidence from the greater medical community in its ability to improve heart health.
Can NAD+ Boost My Metabolism?
Your energy comes from a very specific process happening within your cells called a redox reaction. In a healthy body, NAD+ is the primary substance responsible for facilitating those reactions, which means a higher amount of NAD+ can mean an improved metabolic process. When your body has the ingredients it needs to process carbohydrates, you have a steadier stream of energy flowing into your body.
NAD+ has a close cousin, NADH, that is used when there is an insufficient amount of NAD+ in your body. Low NAD+ has been linked to several metabolic conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease, Heart disease and diabetes, that may be avoided or reduced if proper NAD+ levels are met. Since your body will produce more energy and use more calories as NAD+ is produced by redox reactions resulting in improved intracellular hydration, many patients experience weight loss after having NAD+ infusions.
What Else Can NAD+ Do?
In addition to improving the function of your brain, heart and metabolism, NAD+ IV infusions may also:
- Lower your risk of cancer by protecting against DNA damage and oxidative stress, two factors linked to cancer development
- Promote healthy muscle function, strength and endurance
- Combat jet lag by regulating your body’s circadian rhythm
“NAD+ has helped me with my post-concussion symptoms. I have suffered from post-concussion migraines and NAD+ has lessened the severity of my migraines as well as the frequency! I’m able to think clearer during my day to day activities and work, focus more on my daily tasks at hand and work longer hours now”
Lindsay, 40-year-old female patient who suffers from Post Concussion Syndrome after a serious car accident
What Does an NAD+ Treatment Look Like?
NAD+ IV infusion can take up to a few hours. We recommend a series of 6 IV’s; once a week for 6 weeks. Our office will create a precise NAD+ mixture that is perfectly suited for your needs before your treatment begins. IV therapy is not limited solely to NAD+, however, and you may be a good candidate for additional IV regimens as well, depending on your health.
The entire process should take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour, and you will be able to continue your usual routines directly after the procedure. The quick treatments and lack of downtime are some of the factors that make this one of the most comfortable treatments to undergo.
Fortify Your Health with NAD+ IV Infusions
If you are ready to learn more about how NAD+ treatment can help you, give our office a call at (408) 761-6781, or fill out this online form to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Young. We understand that getting a handle on your overall health can be tricky, especially when you are just starting to take control of it through naturopathic medicine, but our office is dedicated to getting you feeling better through a holistic approach and giving you the support and knowledge to be proactive in your health.
