The proverbial Fountain of Youth may be a myth, but there are clinically supported ways to revitalize your body and help to slow down the ageing process. NAD+ is a substance your body already makes, though production decreases with age which has a huge number of health benefits which can help you look and feel younger and healthier for longer.

NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which is a coenzyme found in all living cells. It plays a crucial role in various biological processes and functions within your body, acting as a catalyst, enabling various critical cellular functions, including:

1. Energy Metabolism: NAD+ is a vital component in cellular respiration, a process that converts nutrients into energy (ATP) within the cell. NAD+ is essential for the efficient conversion of food into energy within our mitochondria, the cellular powerhouses.
2. DNA Repair: NAD+ is involved in DNA repair processes. It serves as a substrate for enzymes that repair damaged DNA, helping maintain the integrity of the genetic material within cells. It therefore reduces cellular aging (cellular senescence) which is why there are a body of scientists who believe it has anti aging properties.
3. Cell Signaling: NAD+ is a substrate for enzymes known as sirtuins, which play a role in regulating various cellular processes, including gene expression, DNA repair, and cell survival. Sirtuins are involved in processes related to aging and longevity, preventing age related diseases. ^[1]
4. Redox Reactions: NAD+ participates in redox reactions, acting as an electron carrier. It can accept and donate electrons, facilitating various biochemical reactions within the cell.
5. Involvement in Metabolic Pathways: NAD+ is involved in several metabolic pathways, including those related to the breakdown of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. It participates in reactions that convert nutrients into usable energy.
6. Neuroprotection: There is ongoing research into the potential neuroprotective effects of NAD+ in conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases. NAD+ may be involved in supporting neuronal function and protecting against age-related cognitive decline. ^[2]

Unfortunately, NAD+ levels decline with age, leading to a cascade of adverse effects. This decline contributes to:

• Accelerated Cellular Aging: Reduced NAD+ levels impair cellular repair processes, leading to accelerated cellular aging and increased susceptibility to age-related diseases.
• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Diminished NAD+ production hinders mitochondrial function, reducing energy levels and contributing to fatigue and chronic health conditions. ^[3]
• Epigenetic Alterations: NAD+ deficiency can lead to epigenetic changes, altering gene expression and increasing the risk of age-related diseases.

THE IMPACT OF NAD+ INFUSIONS

Research suggests that the most efficient and beneficial way to supplement your NAD+ levels is intravenously ^[4]. Administered of intravenous NAD+ infusions enable the optimal absorption of this vital coenzyme, surpassing the efficacy of over-the-counter oral supplements. IV therapy, known for its safety, speed, and minimal discomfort, delivers NAD directly into the bloodstream. This immediate introduction allows your cells to utilize the coenzyme swiftly and entirely. NAD+ infusion therapy is renowned for its potential to reduce inflammation, reverse DNA damage, and support eight fundamental biological processes in the body ^[5]. Most individuals are ideal candidates for this therapy, offering the promise of healthy aging.

Suggested Dosing

NAD+ levels need to be loaded i.e. increased to peak levels which typically in a 70kg patient would mean a dose of 500mg approximately every 10 days for a month. Following this maintenance therapy should be performed which would typically be 500mg every month.

Side Effects

NAD+ is can be not very pleasant to have infused. At a fast pace you will feel chest tightness and nausea. If the infusion is given slowly you can reduce these side effects. No pain, no gain.

Citations

1. Yoshino, J., Mills, K. F., Yoon, M. J., & Imai, S. I. (2011). Nicotinamide mononucleotide, a key NAD+ intermediate, treats the pathophysiology of diet-and age-induced diabetes in mice.
2. Hou, Y., Lautrup, S., Cordonnier, S., Wang, Y., Croteau, D. L., Zavala, E., … & Bohr, V. A. (2018). NAD+ supplementation normalizes key Alzheimer’s features and DNA damage responses in a new AD mouse model with introduced DNA repair deficiency. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(8), E1876-E1885.
3. Mouchiroud, L., Houtkooper, R. H., Moullan, N., Katsyuba, E., Ryu, D., Cantó, C., … & Auwerx, J. (2013). The NAD(+)/Sirtuin pathway modulates longevity through activation of mitochondrial UPR and FOXO signaling.
4. Elhassan, Y. S., Kluckova, K., Fletcher, R. S., Schmidt, M. S., Garten, A., Doig, C. L., … & Lavery, G. G. (2019). Nicotinamide Riboside Augments the Aged Human Skeletal Muscle NAD+ Metabolome and Induces Transcriptomic and Anti-inflammatory Signatures. Cell Reports, 28(7), 1717-1728.e6.
5. Sharma C, Donu D, Cen Y. Emerging Role of Nicotinamide Riboside in Health and Diseases. Nutrients. 2022 Sep 20;14(19):3889. doi: 10.3390/nu14193889. PMID: 36235542; PMCID: PMC9571518.