Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) IV therapy is gaining traction as a popular wellness trend. However, before considering NAD IV therapy, speak to a qualified healthcare provider and ensure you receive the treatment under proper medical supervision.
Key takeaways:
- NAD IV therapy involves directly administering NAD into the bloodstream for immediate absorption.
- Boosting NAD levels through IV therapy may enhance energy, assist with healthy aging, and provide cognitive support.
- NAD IV therapy may benefit people interested in anti-aging support, those struggling with fatigue or low energy, and athletes seeking performance improvement.
- Safety considerations with NAD IV therapy include allergies, proper dosage, potential interactions, and infection risks.
- It’s recommended to discuss NAD IV therapy with a healthcare provider and ensure you receive the treatment under the supervision of a qualified medical professional.
You might have heard the buzz about NAD IV therapy, a trendy treatment gaining popularity in health and wellness. With IV therapy bars – or drip bars – becoming more common and offering treatments with high price tags, you may be curious about what NAD IV therapy involves, who can benefit from it, and how safe it is.
While the treatment potentially has many benefits, it’s important to ensure you undergo NAD IV therapy under the guidance of a trained medical professional.
Table of Contents
What is NAD IV Therapy?
NAD intravenous (IV) therapy involves the administration of NAD directly into the bloodstream through the vein. This method bypasses the digestive system and allows for immediate absorption of NAD in the body.
As we age, our NAD levels tend to decrease, impacting our well-being. NAD IV therapy aims to raise NAD levels through direct delivery.
Studies suggest supporting NAD levels may enhance energy and cognitive function and even slow aging.
NAD is an umbrella term for NAD+ and NADH. NAD+ is a molecule present in all cells and plays various roles, including energy production, DNA repair, and cell function.
NAD+ acts as an electron receiver, transforming into NADH after receiving an electron. In this article, we’ll mainly use the term NAD for simplicity.
What Are the Health Benefits of NAD IV Therapy?
Since NAD IV therapy directly administers NAD, it potentially offers several health benefits that could positively impact your well-being, including:
- Enhanced energy levels
- Healthy aging
- Cognitive support
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Potential cancer prevention
- Weight management
“Additionally, NAD IV therapy can provide higher doses of NAD+ that might not be feasible with oral supplements due to potential digestive limitations. The intravenous delivery ensures precise dosage control, making it easier to customize treatments based on individual needs,”
Dr. Christopher Romig, board-certified anesthesiologist and Medical Director of Innovation at Stella.
Who is NAD IV Therapy Good For?
NAD IV therapy may be helpful for a range of people. “The ideal patients for NAD IV therapy depend on individual health conditions and needs,” Romig told BioHackers Lab.
If you’re looking for ways to support anti-aging efforts, NAD IV therapy might interest you. Additionally, if you’re dealing with chronic fatigue or low energy levels, this therapy may provide a source of energy enhancement.
Athletes who want to improve their performance might also find NAD IV therapy valuable. The therapy’s ability to boost cellular energy could potentially improve physical output.
NAD IV therapy has been considered for those with mitochondrial disorders, as NAD+ is involved in mitochondrial function.
Romig notes NAD IV therapy has been studied as a potential adjunctive treatment for people recovering from substance abuse or addiction.
However, NAD IV therapy is still a relatively new and evolving area of medical research, and its specific indications are not fully established. Also, individual responses to NAD IV therapy might vary.
What Does the Science Say About NAD IV Therapy?
The research on the long-term effects of NAD IV therapy is still relatively limited. Romig added, “And the evidence for sustained improvements in health and well-being over time is not yet conclusive.”
A small study looked at the effects of NAD infusion. Standard IV saline solution containing 750 milligrams of NAD+ was administered to eight healthy men over six hours.
The researchers found that NAD+ levels in the blood did not increase until after 2 hours of infusion, which suggests that the body’s cells quickly used up the infused NAD+ and its metabolites. No negative effects were reported in the study.
Romig noted, “Most studies have been small-scale or conducted in animal models, and larger, well-controlled clinical trials with long-term follow-ups are needed to establish the therapy’s effectiveness and safety.”
Approach NAD IV therapy with a careful and informed perspective. Understand that it’s part of a developing research area in the field of well-being.
“For now, if you’re looking into NAD IV therapy, work with a qualified healthcare professional who can guide you based on the available evidence and tailor the treatment plan to your needs and health status,” advised Romig.
Is NAD IV Therapy Safe?
NAD IV therapy, like any medical treatment, has important safety considerations. Romig suggested to consider the following:
- Allergies: Some people could be allergic to NAD+ or other parts of the IV solution. Tell your healthcare provider about your allergies before starting NAD IV therapy.
- Right dosage: The right amount of NAD+ is crucial for safety. Too much can lead to side effects, and too little might not work well.
- Health conditions: If you have certain health problems like liver or kidney issues, you may need extra monitoring during NAD IV therapy to stay safe.
- Interactions: NAD IV therapy could interact with other medications, causing problems. Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all your medicines and supplements.
- Infection risk: Any IV procedure carries a small risk of infection where the needle goes in. To lower this risk, proper cleaning and hygiene are important. Make sure the infusion is done under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: We don’t know if NAD IV therapy is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It’s best to avoid it unless your healthcare provider recommends it.
- Be careful of claims: Some people might make exaggerated claims about what NAD IV therapy can do. Not all of these claims might be true since more research is needed.
Be wary of IV therapy companies with no proper oversight. In 2018, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stepped in to address a situation involving an IV therapy company making unsupported claims about its ability to treat serious diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and congestive heart failure.
Before starting NAD IV therapy, talk to a healthcare professional knowledgeable about the treatment and who can evaluate your lab results to make appropriate recommendations.
FAQs:
Does NAD IV Therapy work?
There is some evidence that NAD IV therapy may be helpful for certain conditions, but more research is needed to determine conclusively if and how well it works.
Is NAD IV therapy FDA-approved?
NAD IV therapy is not FDA-approved because NAD is classified as a dietary supplement rather than a medication.
How often should I take NAD IV therapy?
Currently, there are no definitive guidelines on how often you should take NAD IV therapy, as treatments vary based on individual factors and medical conditions. It’s best to speak to your healthcare provider about treatment recommendations.
What medications are included in NAD IV therapy?
NAD IV therapy primarily involves the administration of NAD mixed with saline solution. In some cases, additional vitamins might be included.
Is NAD IV therapy better than oral NAD supplements?
While oral supplements can help increase NAD+ levels, their effectiveness is generally lower compared to IV infusions. This is because when taken in pill form, the supplements must pass through the digestive system, resulting in only a fraction of each dose being absorbed and reaching the bloodstream.
How much does NAD IV therapy cost?
On average, a single NAD IV infusion may cost anywhere from $200 to $1000 or more. The cost varies widely depending on location, the provider, and the specific treatment plan.
Final Thoughts
Before starting NAD IV therapy, consult a medical professional familiar with the treatment. Work with your healthcare provider to create a personalized approach that combines NAD IV therapy with other strategies tailored to your health objectives.
Make sure healthy habits like eating well, staying active, and managing stress are part of the plan. Consider adopting a balanced diet rich in NAD precursors to boost your NAD levels.
Stay consistent in monitoring your progress and stay open to adjusting your plan based on your body’s response. Remember that NAD IV therapy is just one component of your overall well-being journey.
Maggie Aime, MSN, RN
Maggie Aime, MSN, RN is a freelance health, wellness, and medical personal finance writer. Her extensive nursing experience includes oncology, kidney transplant, cardiology, and home health. Read more about her work at www.thewritern.com.
References
- Braidy et al. 2020. Sobriety and Satiety: Is NAD+ the Answer?
- Covarrubias et al. 2021. NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing.
- Federal Trade Commission. 2018. FTC Brings First-ever Action Targeting “iV Cocktail” Therapy Marketer.
- Franczyk et al. 2021. Importance of Adipose Tissue NAD+ Biology in Regulating Metabolic Flexibility.
- Grant et al. 2019. A Pilot Study Investigating Changes in the Human Plasma and Urine NAD+ Metabolome During a 6 Hour Intravenous Infusion of NAD.
- Imai et al. 2014. NAD+ and sirtuins in aging and disease.
- Lin et al. 2021. NAD+ and cardiovascular diseases.
- Navas et al. 2021. NAD+ metabolism, stemness, the immune response, and cancer.
- Pramono et al. 2020. NAD- and NADPH-Contributing Enzymes as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer: An Overview.
- Radenkovic et al. 2020. Clinical Evidence for Targeting NAD Therapeutically.
- Zapata-Pérez et al. 2021. NAD+ homeostasis in human health and disease.
- Zhao et al. 2021. 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.
