Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) IV Infusion 

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) is a naturally occurring coenzyme in the human body that is needed for many important physiological functions. From preserving your cognition and relieving oxidative stress to maintaining metabolism, NAD+ is vital for keeping your body and its internal processes in tip-top shape. In fact, NAD+ exists in every single one of your cells. But, like other valuable organic compounds, our supply of NAD+ dwindles with age. Researchers believe that by the time you are middle-aged, you have lost half of your natural supply of NAD+.^[1] 

To restore NAD+ levels, many turn to new diets and vitamin supplements. These advertise a natural boost in NAD+ levels that bring an array of mental and physical benefits. But these options don’t bring NAD+ levels high enough to elicit effective results. Oftentimes, the digestive tract dilutes the supplements. But, through a steady IV drip, NAD+ filters through your bloodstream and into each one of your cells, fortifying their functions and reversing the damage brought on by aging.

If you are interested in experiencing the benefits of an NAD+ IV infusion, schedule an appointment at one of our six locations in the Carolinas. You can schedule directly by filling out this contact form or by calling us at (864) 775-5682.

What Is NAD+, NADH, & NAD?

NAD+ is a vital molecule in every living cell that is essential for biological processes like energy production, DNA repair, gene expression, and immune regulation roles.^[2] But, while learning about NAD+, you might come across the terms NADH and NAD. Knowing what each one does can be a little confusing. After all, not all of us went to school for molecular biology. Don’t worry, though, their functions are simple to grasp. While all three contain the same molecules, they play very different roles in molecular functions.

Think of NAD as the hull of a ship. Before all the cargo is packed onto the ship, it’s just an empty vessel. That empty vessel, at a molecular level, is NAD. Now, when we eat food, our body turns it into glucose, and then that food gets broken down further to its most basic structure: an electron transport chain. Inside these electron transport chains are NADH molecules. Foods rich in NADH include beef, poultry, and fish. When these NADH molecules go through the Krebs Cycle, they lose their hydrogen atoms and get oxidized, gaining that “+” in NAD+. Now that NADH has turned into NAD+. These charged molecules help power the mitochondria in creating ATP. So, the differences between NAD, NADH, and NAD+ are just where the molecules are in the converting process.

How Do We Lose NAD+

Along with producing NAD+ from NADH in our diet, our body makes NAD+ naturally, so we have a base level of NAD+ from birth. Much like the rest of our body’s processes, our production of NAD+ is highest when we’re young and slowly depletes as we get older. This is because as our body uses our natural supply of NADH, our diet doesn’t make up the difference. In ancient times, humans relied heavily on meat and animal products to sustain themselves. Today, for ethical, environmental, and health-conscious reasons, a large portion of our society has reduced their meat consumption, leading to widespread NAD+ deficiency. And even for those who still eat meat regularly, they are also likely not getting enough. Unlike our nomadic ancestors, most of us steer clear of eating animal organs like livers or kidneys. We tend to choose the animal’s muscle tissue. But, it is in organs like livers and kidneys, the places where glucose gets broken, where we find rich amounts of NAD+.^[3] So, without a steady supply of the right molecules, our cells lose large portions of their NAD+ as we age. 

How NAD+ Helps

Because it is necessary for keeping every one of your cells in homeostasis, NAD+ plays a role in almost every single physiological process. When levels dip, every area of your body suffers. But, with an adequate infusion of NAD+, different parts of your overall health will be revived. 

Cognitive Abilities

A steel-trap memory and sharp focus are two signs of soundness in neurological and cognitive health. Unfortunately, as the effects of aging damage neurological cells, these two functions worsen with age. In many different research studies, NDA+ has been shown to rescue damaged mitochondria and jump-start the cells’ energy production.^[2,4] Increasing NDA+ levels, has been shown to improve cognition, alertness, and verbal recall. 

Skin Health

Your skin is one of the first organ systems to be vulnerable to NAD+ deficiency. One factor that speeds up your body’s aging process is exposure to free radicals. When your cells don’t have enough antioxidants to balance their exposure to free radicals, they become damaged. This damage leads to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, which causes some cells to stop their duties entirely. So, your body’s collagen production slows, causing wrinkles to deepen quicker and age spots to develop sooner. But, studies have shown that when NAD+ levels are strategically increased, chronic skin inflammation subsides, and effects of oxidative stress are minimized.^[2] NAD+ infusion gives skin cells the molecules to propel back into their roles, which eases the progress of the aging process. 

Immune System

Much like your other body systems, your immune system is susceptible to inflammation. Studies have shown that inflammation decreases NAD+ levels over time,^[5] which can wreak havoc on your immune system. When your body is attacked by viruses or bacteria, your immune system responds with necessary properties like white blood cells to fend these assailants away. This response is critical for keeping your body healthy and functioning properly, and this response relies heavily on NAD+.^[5] When you undergo an NAD+ IV infusion, you’re making up for the difference of NAD+ that has been lost through aging. This infusion allows your cells to work at the same efficiency as they did when you were younger. 

Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular diseases have steadily climbed to the top cause of death in the country. Along with diet and lifestyle, cardiovascular health needs NAD+ to keep its cells functioning properly. When low NAD+ levels damage cardiovascular cells, the heart’s function is comprised. But, through multiple clinical trials, we have seen that increased NAD+ levels are associated with a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease.^[6] 

Why Choose NAD+ IV Infusion

Because of its all-encompassing importance, NAD+ helps a wide range of patients lead healthier, happier lives. But choosing IV infusion specifically instead of vitamins or supplements comes with added benefits. IV infusion introduces the coenzyme directly into your bloodstream, prompting your NAD+ levels to raise in every system around your body almost immediately. Once NAD+ levels restore to baseline, your cells can fight off inflammation and oxidative stress, revamp energy production, and return you to a more even homeostasis. If NAD+ was processed through the digestive tract, most of it would settle in the liver and kidney.

What To Expect

So, is NAD+ the fountain of youth? The simple answer to that question is: not quite. Basic research on the benefits of NAD+ supplementation has shown to reverse many common effects of aging and refresh the body at the molecular level. Because NAD+ has gained notoriety in the health and wellness communities, many exciting studies are being done to uncover all of its facets. So, while it’s not the fountain of youth, it is one step closer. 

Your Consultation At Daisy Stem Cell

If you are interested in experiencing the benefits of NAD+ IV Infusion for yourself, the first step is to schedule a personal consultation at one of our six locations. Here, we will perform a brief new patient intake interview. We’ll go over your recent medical history as well as outline your age-related concerns. We’ll walk you through expectations and our collection of IV Infusion treatments. Because IV infusion is a non-surgical procedure, almost every patient that comes to see us qualifies. Before your treatment, we ask that you do not take any blood thinning medications or supplements. 

How Much Does NAD+ IV Infusion Cost in the Carolinas?

The cost of your treatment will depend on your treatment plan. We will determine and discuss the cost of your care during your consultation. If you would like to learn more about different regenerative medicines, check out our Daisy Effect blog. In it, we discuss PRP, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and much more! If you have any questions, call us directly at (864) 775-5682.

References

1. Schultz, M. B., & Sinclair, D. A. (2016). Why NAD(+) Declines during Aging: It’s Destroyed. Cell metabolism, 23(6), 965–966. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2016.05.022
2. Braidy, N., & Liu, Y. (2020). NAD+ therapy in age-related degenerative disorders: A benefit/risk analysis. Experimental gerontology, 132, 110831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2020.110831
3. McReynolds, M. R., Chellappa, K., & Baur, J. A. (2020). Age-related NAD+ decline. Experimental gerontology, 134, 110888. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2020.110888
4. Zhao, Y., Zhang, J., Zheng, Y. et al. NAD+ improves cognitive function and reduces neuroinflammation by ameliorating mitochondrial damage and decreasing ROS production in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion models through Sirt1/PGC-1α pathway. J Neuroinflammation 18, 207 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-021-02250-8
5. Navas, L.E., Carnero, A. NAD+ metabolism, stemness, the immune response, and cancer. Sig Transduct Target Ther 6, 2 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-020-00354-w
6. Jahan, F., & Bagchi, R. A. (2021). Enhancing NAD+ Metabolome in Cardiovascular Diseases: Promises and Considerations. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine, 8, 716989. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2021.716989