Kelsey Bates, APRN, FNP-C
NAD infusions are an up and coming option for wellness and risk reduction. When I think about the past, present and future of “health” care in the United States, I get a little nervous. Our current “health” care model is primarily focused on “sick” care, not so much “health” care. In school, we are taught all about the various disease processes, what medications to give and protocols to follow. While that information is vital to know, our medical education system, medical system and health insurance companies, in general, need to support and push preventive and wellness care much more than it is currently supported. I have seen this shift starting to occur, but it isn’t happening fast enough.
As a health care provider, I spend most of my time focusing on “health” care versus “sick” care. I have a passion for helping individuals stay healthy so they can function and feel their absolute best. There are numerous things we could talk about in this blog post that pertain to preventive health care, wellness care and health promotion but what I want to discuss today is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) infusions.
What is NAD?
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is a nucleotide, coenzyme of niacin (Vitamin B3), that is present in all cells of the body and plays a crucial role in producing energy (ATP). It is a cornerstone piece for DNA repair and telomere maintenance. Without NAD we wouldn’t be able to function. We are born with a plentiful amount of NAD but due to the aging process and stressors our bodies go through, NAD declines over time. Research has correlated low NAD levels as precursors to heart disease, diabetes, age related vascular dysfunction, and also ischemic brain injury, depression, anxiety, addiction, pain and Alzheimer’s disease.
What decreases our NAD levels?
- Aging
- Infections
- Obesity/overeating
- Lack of sleep
- Alcohol consumption
- Substance abuse
- Chronic illnesses
- Chronic stress
- Sedentary lifestyle
Benefits of Infusions
- Reduces inflammation
- Boosts metabolism
- Increases energy
- Increases focus/mental clarity
- Improves mood
- Combats chronic fatigue
- Immune system support
- Supports addiction recovery
- Supports skin health
- Increases physical endurance
- Enhances overall well being
It is common to see intravenous NAD dosing start anywhere from 250mg to 500mg and then increase from there. A 250mg infusion generally takes two hours and a 500mg infusion takes closer to four hours. Infusions are typically started at a rate of 125ml/hr. This can run a bit faster if the patient tolerates it well. While the infusion is long, many people use this as a time to relax, read a book, take a nap, etc. Some individuals do a series of six or so NAD infusions over a two-week period to start with and then do NAD infusions as needed. Technically speaking, there is no set frequency, it’s specific to the individual and what they are looking to get out of the infusions.
While studies are somewhat limited on the use of NAD, many studies are currently underway. The studies that have been done are in favor of the positive outcomes with NAD use and report minimal side effects, making it a treatment option worth looking into. Potential reported side effects include headache, sinus congestion, stomach cramps, nausea, chest pressure, skin flushing and dizziness. These side effects are usually dose-dependent and also very short-lived. The higher the dose, the more likely they are to occur.
If patients do experience these side effects the NAD infusion is slowed down and the side effects typically resolve within seconds to a couple of minutes. Overall, studies show NAD as a safe, effective treatment.
Other ways to boost NAD levels without supplementation include:
- strength training
- getting an adequate amount of sleep
- eating a nutritious diet
- stress management/regulation
Closing Thoughts
While NAD infusions may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I feel they are beneficial for most Individuals. Who doesn’t need an NAD boost every now and then?
References
Braidy, N., Villalva, M. D., & van Eeden, S. (2020). Sobriety and satiety: Is NAD+ the answer?. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(5), 425. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9050425
Grant, R., Berg, J., Mestayer, R., Braidy, N., Bennett, J., Broom, S., & Watson, J. (2019). A pilot study investigating changes in the human plasma and urine NAD+ metabolome during a 6 hour intravenous infusion of NAD. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 11, 257. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2019.00257
Radenkovic, D., Reason, & Verdin, E. (2020). Clinical evidence for targeting NAD therapeutically. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 13(9), 247. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph13090247
