Our bodies consist of trillions of cells, each with important roles to play in keeping us energized, healthy, and performing at our best. The powerhouse behind many of those processes is the coenzyme NAD+. However, as we age, our ability to naturally produce NAD+ declines dramatically. Similarly, as we put increased demands on our bodies—for example, through intense physical activity or by leading a stressful lifestyle—our bodies can struggle to produce enough NAD+ to keep our cells functioning properly.
Fortunately, NAD+ IV therapy can correct this deficiency to help keep your body healthy and feeling its best for years to come. You should consider NAD+ IV therapy if you have a high-stress life, are an athlete, or experience chronic fatigue or another chronic condition affecting mitochondrial function and productivity.
In this article, we’ll explore how NAD IV therapy works and who can benefit from it.
What Is NAD+?
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in all living cells and is essential for our everyday life. This molecule is crucial for converting nutrients into energy, repairing damaged DNA, and helping our cells communicate.Our bodies produce NAD+ in two ways: by synthesizing amino acids found in nutrient-rich foods and by recycling previously used NAD+. Unfortunately, as we grow older, both of these processes slow. Other health and lifestyle factors can also strain our NAD+ stores.
Insufficient NAD+ levels are one of the reasons we begin to feel the effects of aging, but NAD+ deficiency can occur at any age. Some of these symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Slow recovery and muscle weakness
- Mood changes
- Dull skin
- Poor sleep
- Weight gain
How Does NAD+ IV Therapy Work?
There are several therapies available to replenish your body’s NAD+ levels, including injections, nasal sprays, and IV drips. Which is right for you depends on your individual needs and can be assessed during a complimentary consultation with one of our nurse practitioners. Here, we’ll focus on IV therapy.
With NAD+ IV Therapy, a large dose of the coenzyme directly infuses your bloodstream for quick delivery throughout your body. This differs from oral supplements, which only supply NAD+ precursors that must be digested and synthesized before being usable. The digestive process can also affect how much of the ingested nutrients are absorbed, whereas intravenous infusions allow for total absorption.
Who Can Benefit From NAD+ IV Therapy?
While NAD+ therapy is most commonly used as an anti-aging therapy, there are many other reasons to consider NAD IV therapy. If any of the following describes you, you might benefit from NAD infusions.
People With High-Stress Lifestyles
If you spend a lot of time under stress or managing anxiety, you might be at risk for NAD+ deficiency. Chronic stress raises levels of free radicals, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the body, which damage cells. To repair this damage, your body draws on NAD+ that might otherwise be used for regular DNA repair and energy production. This can create a negative cycle of increased fatigue, reduced stress resilience, and further cellular damage.
If you have been managing chronic stress and are experiencing fatigue, mood swings, or trouble concentrating, replenishing your NAD+ levels with IV therapy could help correct this cycle.
Those Looking to Slow the Effects of Aging
NAD+ levels start decreasing as early as your mid-20s and more sharply drop off around age 40 and beyond. In fact, by age 50, NAD+ production is roughly half of ideal levels and continues to slow. This drop in NAD+ contributes to worsening memory, energy, muscle strength and recovery, eyesight, and hearing associated with aging. The causes of these symptoms are largely due to impaired mitochondrial function (our cells’ powerhouse) and cellular repair and protection, creating increased inflammation and oxidative stress.
To slow this decline, many patients begin supplementing their NAD+ stores with IV therapy at around 30 years old. However, some start in their 20s if they are already experiencing fatigue or cognitive decline, or if they wish to start investing in longevity early.
Athletes
Just as stress depletes NAD+ stores, so does increased physical activity. Athletic training places high demands on your body’s energy production, muscle recovery, and inflammation and oxidative stress management—all of which require NAD+.
For athletes looking to maximize their performance and maintain a training regimen, NAD+ IV therapy can help keep their bodies functioning at a high level. Because NAD+ is essential for converting nutrients into ATP, the body’s main fuel, an IV infusion can help your body sustain higher levels of energy production, enhancing your stamina. By aiding in cellular repair and protection from oxidative stress and inflammation, NAD+ therapy can improve muscle function and accelerate recovery, so you can bounce back quicker.
Additionally, NAD+ promotes metabolic efficiency, turning fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids into usable energy and making your workouts more productive. By helping ensure brain cells are energized and shielded from oxidative stress, NAD+ also helps you focus and manage stress, supporting athletic performance. (Competitive athletes should check with their league regulations before starting NAD+ treatment.)
Those with Chronic Fatigue or Low Energy
While there are many potential causes of chronic fatigue, including viral infection, poor diet, lack of exercise, mental health issues, and other factors, low energy is also a key symptom of NAD+ deficiency.
When NAD+ levels drop, so does the body’s ability to convert food into usable energy (ATP). If you experience low energy levels even after adequate rest, you might be a candidate for NAD+ infusions. Replenishing NAD+ levels can restore mitochondrial function, boost energy production, support cellular repair, and reduce inflammation—all of which help you feel refreshed.
Individuals with Age-Related or Chronic Conditions
NAD+ therapy could be a beneficial addition to your treatment plan if you are managing one of the following age-related or chronic conditions:- Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s): NAD+ therapy may improve cognition, nerve regeneration, and neuroprotection, helping to prevent or slow the development of neurodegenerative conditions.
- Metabolic disorders: NAD+ therapy may help reverse insulin resistance, improve metabolism, and support weight management, which are crucial for those with diabetes, obesity, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Cardiovascular or musculoskeletal diseases: By promoting energy production, reducing inflammation, and activating repair pathways, NAD+ therapy can support heart health, muscle strength, endurance, and organ protection.
- Chronic pain or inflammation: By enhancing DNA repair and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, NAD+ therapy may help decrease chronic pain and improve overall quality of life.
- Age-related cognitive decline or mood disorders: NAD+ therapy may boost neurotransmitter production and cellular communication, enhancing brain function, focus, memory, and mood regulation.
What to Expect From NAD+ IV Therapy
Like other health and wellness treatments, the key to seeing the most benefit from NAD+ therapy is consistency. Treatment begins with an introductory loading phase consisting of five infusions over 10 days. This frequency allows your body to adjust to gradually increasing doses until optimal levels are achieved. From there, monthly IVs can maintain your NAD+ stores.
How Long Does It Take for NAD to Work?
Many patients report feeling increased energy and focus soon after treatment, while other benefits appear over the next two to three weeks. At Hydration Room, our experienced medical team monitors your treatment progress and can adjust your dosage and treatment plan to help you see the greatest benefits.
Are There Side Effects to NAD+?
NAD+ is a natural coenzyme found in every cell of the body, making NAD+ drips safe and well-tolerated when administered by trained nurses. However, because NAD+ is a powerful molecule, some mild side effects may occur when beginning treatment, including nausea, headache, flushing, or fatigue. These typically subside as the infusion continues. Our team can also adjust your IV drip to ensure your comfort.
Medically Guided NAD+ IV Therapy at Hydration Room
If you are experiencing fatigue, brain fog, slow recovery, or just want to start investing in healthy aging, NAD therapy may benefit you. At Hydration Room, our IV treatments are administered by registered nurses in a pristine, welcoming clinic. We encourage you to schedule a free virtual consultation with one of our knowledgeable nurse practitioners to determine if NAD+ therapy is right for you.
