It’s not unusual for patients to discuss NAD IV therapy with our Toronto clinicians. When patients understand how this crucial coenzyme works, many of them ask for it to be integrated into their treatment plans. We briefly explain what NAD+ is, interesting facts to note, and how our functional medicine approach to health is applied in our IV Lounge.

Review: What is NAD?

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (also called NAD or NAD+) is a key molecule that pushes for cellular energy production in the body – this means it’s needed for several biological processes. Due to its role in the body, it must constantly be produced, absorbed, and reprocessed for daily functioning.

But what if we told you that NAD declines in the body with age? Unfortunately, this is true and backed by scientific evidence. “NAD+ depletion has been associated with hallmarks of aging and may underlie a wide-range of age-related diseases, such as metabolic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases,” reports a paper from Translational Medicine of Aging.

By taking time to understand it’s crucial role in cellular functions, we can take measures to help sustain our NAD levels. The facts below explore various aspects of NAD+, from when it was discovered to the potential health benefits of NAD+ IV therapy. 

Fascinating Facts About NAD+

1. 1. This coenzyme was first discovered in 1906! British scientists noticed that, “…adding boiled yeast extracts to non‐boiled yeast extracts significantly accelerated alcoholic fermentation, suggesting that the boiled yeast fraction contained something capable of promoting the fermentation reaction,” said a paper from The EMBO Journal.
   2. NAD has a key role in regulating sleep. Studies show that NAD+ is linked to circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythm regulates when we go to sleep and when we become energized in the morning. The mitochondria in our cells are significant ‘energy powerhouses’, and NAD’s goal is to optimize mitochondrial function. This is how NAD+ can contribute to supporting daily energy levels and sleep restoration at night. 
   3. It may be helpful for premature aging of the skin. Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to premature skin aging, possibly causing wrinkles, poor wound healing, and dark spots. Because NAD is vital in the body on a cellular level, it can help activate enzymes to support DNA repair. In turn, this can aid sun-damaged skin by helping to reduce skin inflammation and redness. 
   4. You can outsource NAD from some food. NAD and its precursors can be consumed naturally from dairy milk, fish, beef, whole grains, broccoli and avocadoes. The levels of precursors and NAD vary between each type of food, so if you want to adhere to diet modifications, a functional holistic nutritionist can provide guidance. You can also combine NAD-rich food with regular NAD supplementation, which can help sustain much-needed levels throughout the day.  
   5. Various enzymes rely on NAD+: Over 300 enzymes depend on NAD+! Thus, it makes sense why lacking this coenzyme can contribute to forming age-related conditions. One group of enzymes that count on NAD are sirtuins, which are tasked with revving cell metabolism and repairing DNA damage. When NAD+ levels decline, the activation of sirtuins declines, too, which can trigger mitochondrial dysfunction.
   6. May be beneficial for recovering from substance overindulgences. Studies propose that NAD supplements, especially when NAD is administered as IV therapy, may have beneficial effects for treating substance overuses. Findings have shown that IV NAD+ may reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms from opioid and alcohol dependencies. Scientists posit that, “The benefits of NAD+ are likely to be extended to improving emotional disorders in patients with psychological disorders,” says an Antioxidants report. 
   7. NAD infusions do not need to be ingested. In some cases, the original dose of oral supplements you ingest can diminish from enzymes in the digestive tract, which lessens the dosage you are supposed to absorb! So, if you have a poor absorption rate or want a peace of mind when taking NAD, IV therapy guarantees you get a complete dose without swallowing capsules. It works by inserting an infusion needle into your vein which allows a NAD solution to enter your bloodstream for immediate use. 
   8. It may – or may not – be compatible with your biology: It’s to your advantage to speak to your healthcare provider before trying NAD supplements or precursors (i.e. nicotinamide mononucleotide). If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, NAD supplementation may not be suitable for you. Taking oral NAD-related capsules or getting a NAD+ IV drip could cause interactions with some supplements and prescriptions, especially antidepressants, select antioxidant supplements (i.e. quercetin) and insulin and blood pressure regulation medications. A functional medicine consultation can help you safely avoid contraindications.

If you want to expand your wellness journey, why not visit our Toronto IV Lounge and functional medicine practice? Not only do we prescribe NAD IV therapy for your needs, we can customize an IV drip for health goals, especially those related to athletic performance recovery and anti-aging skin health. 

Suggested reading: Functional Medicine and NAD IV Therapy Toronto Tip Sheet for Aging Gracefully

Book Your Consult Now for NAD Intravenous Therapy 

Our integrated clinic and IV Lounge adhere to the principles of functional medicine, which targets the root cause of health concerns while supporting your active role in your health status. If you’ve been fighting chronic health issues, we’re available to help you get a grasp on your symptoms.

NAD IV therapy can be accessed in our IV Lounge, along with other ingredients, including amino acids and nutrients with anti-inflammatory components (i.e. glutathione, vitamin C, etc.); nutrient injection therapies can be prescribed, too. We freshly blend vitamin drip therapy on a daily basis without extra preservatives – we only use natural ingredients! Our experienced team members – which includes naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners and registered nurses – are always on-site to oversee your safety and comfort.

Additionally, we can integrate various treatment modalities into one tailored treatment plan. Our clinicians are adept at combining conventional therapies with naturopathic medicine, botanical/herbal remedies, Traditional Chinese Medicine, holistic nutrition, psychotherapy, and more. When treatments are safely combined – without causing medication interactions – they offer you several options for symptom relief. 

Each type of treatment is customized with the principles of functional medicine, which means that all therapies are arranged for biological needs only. Lab testing (i.e. urine, saliva, or blood tests) may be applied for personalizing dosages of herbal supplementation, IV therapy drips, hormone therapies, etc., and these tests are offered by our clinic. Our functional medicine programs and treatments may be supportive for various conditions and symptoms, such as declining cognitive function (i.e. memory loss), oxidative stress, chronic pain, degenerative diseases, and more. 

Grab hold of your wellness with NAD IV therapy from our Toronto IV Lounge! When combined with additional functional medicine therapies and a healthy lifestyle, IV therapy drips can support optimal health outcomes. Simply contact the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre now to request your consult. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

Aman, Yahyah, et al. “Therapeutic Potential of Boosting NAD+ in Aging and Age-related Diseases.” Translational Medicine of Aging, vol. 2, 2018, pp. 30-37, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tma.2018.08.003. Accessed 28 May 2025.

Braidy N, Villalva MD, van Eeden S. Sobriety and Satiety: Is NAD+ the Answer? Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 May 14;9(5):425. doi: 10.3390/antiox9050425. PMID: 32423100; PMCID: PMC7278809.

Bushana PN, Schmidt MA, Rempe MJ, Sorg BA, Wisor JP. Chronic dietary supplementation with nicotinamide riboside reduces sleep need in the laboratory mouse. Sleep Adv. 2023 Dec 20;4(1):zpad044. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpad044. PMID: 38152423; PMCID: PMC10752388.

Chubanava, Sabina, and Jonas T. Treebak. “Regular Exercise Effectively Protects against the Aging-associated Decline in Skeletal Muscle NAD Content.” Experimental Gerontology, vol. 173, 2023, p. 112109, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2023.112109. Accessed 29 May 2025.

Conlon, Nichola J. “The Role of NAD+ in Regenerative Medicine.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, vol. 150, no. 4 Suppl, 2021, p. 41S, https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000009673. Accessed 29 May 2025.

Cuenoud B, Huang Z, Hartweg M, Widmaier M, Lim S, Wenz D, Xin L. Effect of circadian rhythm on NAD and other metabolites in human brain. Front Physiol. 2023 Nov 9;14:1285776. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1285776. PMID: 38028810; PMCID: PMC10665902.

Imai, Shin, and Leonard Guarente. “It Takes Two to Tango: NAD+ and Sirtuins in Aging/Longevity Control.” Npj Aging and Mechanisms of Disease, vol. 2, no. 1, 2016, pp. 1-6, https://doi.org/10.1038/npjamd.2016.17. Accessed 29 May 2025.

Iqbal, Tooba, and Takashi Nakagawa. “The Therapeutic Perspective of NAD+ Precursors in Age-related Diseases.” Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, vol. 702, 2024, p. 149590, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149590. Accessed 28 May 2025.

Katsyuba E, Auwerx J. Modulating NAD+ metabolism, from bench to bedside. EMBO J. 2017 Sep 15;36(18):2670-2683. doi: 10.15252/embj.201797135. Epub 2017 Aug 7. PMID: 28784597; PMCID: PMC5599801.

Lamb DA, Moore JH, Mesquita PHC, Smith MA, Vann CG, Osburn SC, Fox CD, Lopez HL, Ziegenfuss TN, Huggins KW, Goodlett MD, Fruge AD, Kavazis AN, Young KC, Roberts MD. Resistance training increases muscle NAD+ and NADH concentrations as well as NAMPT protein levels and global sirtuin activity in middle-aged, overweight, untrained individuals. Aging (Albany NY). 2020 May 5;12(10):9447-9460. doi: 10.18632/aging.103218. Epub 2020 May 5. PMID: 32369778; PMCID: PMC7288928.

Poljsak B, Kovač V, Milisav I. Healthy Lifestyle Recommendations: Do the Beneficial Effects Originate from NAD+ Amount at the Cellular Level? Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020 Dec 12;2020:8819627. doi: 10.1155/2020/8819627. PMID: 33414897; PMCID: PMC7752291.

Sharma, Arastu, et al. “Potential Synergistic Supplementation of NAD+ Promoting Compounds As a Strategy for Increasing Healthspan.” Nutrients, vol. 15, no. 2, 2023, p. 445, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15020445. Accessed 29 May 2025.