We offer NAD IV therapy at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, so it’s not uncommon for patients to ask, ‘what is this?’ and ‘what can NAD+ IV do for me?’ 

NAD is short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and it has a vital role in energy production, cell health, brain function, aging, and metabolic reactions. This coenzyme is notable for optimizing the human lifespan. It also fosters cellular energy and impacts close to 500 chemical reactions in the body!

If you’re wondering how NAD affects wellness, we explain in the next section of this article. Then we’ll discuss its health benefits and how to get an IV NAD+ drip from our IV Lounge.  

The significance of NAD for Optimal Health

NAD’s impact on the body is significant enough that if we didn’t have it, our metabolism and energy levels would barely function! Think of NAD as a lifeline for cellular health. “NAD+ can directly and indirectly influence many key cellular functions, including metabolic pathways, DNA repair…and immune cell function,” confirms a Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology article. These specific functions are fundamental for metabolism and tissue repair, especially as the body ages. It’s not a surprise then that symptoms of this deficiency are linked to aging, such as brain fog or a fuzzy memory, muscle weakness, dull skin, sleep issues, weight gain, and declining mental health.

Unfortunately, NAD levels naturally plunge when people age; some of us may have levels slashed in half by the time we’re 40. Studies have established that age-related NAD decline is associated with chronic health conditions (i.e. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease). Thus, scientists speculate that NAD supplements could aid in the prevention or delay of age-related conditions, thereby promoting healthy longevity. 

Aside from aging, NAD can decline from harmful lifestyle factors, such as alcohol overindulgence, smoking, and obesity. These can weigh in on the formation of oxidative stress (inflammation), which can impede NAD production. 

Potential health benefits From NAD Oral Supplements and IV Drips

Supplementing with NAD can help replenish optimal levels of the coenzyme. Oral supplements with precursors (i.e. nicotinamide mononucleotide or nicotinamide riboside) can be taken daily, and NAD is also available as intravenous therapy. Boosting NAD may result in some beneficial effects, such as these: 

• 1. Prospective mental health enhancements: Mitochondrial dysfunction can alter cognition, potentially triggering anxiety or depression. Scientists posit that NAD supports mitochondrial repair, which may help target some mental health needs. 
  2. Improvements to athletic performance: Due to its cognitive effects, NAD may improve reaction times for physical performances. The coenzyme helps produce ATP in the body, which can boost energy production for tournaments. 
  3. May support muscle recovery: “The vast majority of studies indicate that lower NAD+ levels are deleterious for muscle health and higher NAD+ levels augment muscle health,” confirms a Skeletal Muscle report. In a previous post, we discussed the role of NAD IV therapy in Toronto as a post workout regime.
  4. Can foster recovery from overusing substances: DNA health can be compromised from excessively using unwarranted substances, such as alcohol. NAD IV therapy and oral supplements may be useful for alleviating DNA and cellular damage brought on by alcohol overindulgences. 
  5. NAD appears to support metabolic processes: One study scrutinized NAD supplementation on postmenopausal patients with prediabetes and excessive weight gain. After 10 weeks of taking 250mg of NAD, improvements to insulin sensitivity were noticed.
  6. May help recuperate skin issues: NAD can contribute to rejuvenating stem cells for promoting a youthful appearance and potentially preventing wrinkles. It may also heighten collagen levels, which also tend to deplete with age.
  7. May slow down/delay aging-related diseases: Reduced NAD levels can leave us vulnerable to issues with cardiovascular health, declining muscle function, immunity issues, and more. Regular supplementation can help sustain NAD levels to support our biological processes as we age. 

If you’re keen on enhancing mental clarity or need help managing age-related changes, NAD+ IV therapy may offer healthy gains. Touch base with our health team today.

How to get NAD+ IV drips from our IV Lounge

Our personalized approach to health addresses your uniqueness only; this is why our functional medicine treatments target distinct biological needs (i.e. DNA repair or nutritional deficiencies). 

Our IV Lounge is located in our Yorkville clinic, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre. Next to IV NAD+, we can blend other nutrients into IV therapy drips, including various amino acids (i.e. glutamic acid), glutathione, ascorbic acid, numerous B-complex vitamins (i.e. folic acid), and more. Here’s how to get a custom-made drip from us, and what to expect:

• • An initial consultation is mandatory with our IV therapist. Safety has a crucial role in our Lounge, and we want make sure you’re not allergic to IV ingredients! We’ll also discuss your current health issues and the types of nutrients to blend for your vitamin infusion therapy. 
  • If suitable, intravenous therapy will then be prescribed for your needs. NAD+ IV therapy may be administered immediately after your initial consultation or booked for another day. You can also opt for a stand-alone NAD+ IV drip or have it administered with a series of other IV therapy treatments (i.e. vitamin C).
  • Your IV appointment will be closely supervised to ensure your comfort levels. All sessions are monitored by our wellness team, which includes medical and naturopathic medicine doctors, nurse practitioners and registered nurses. 

NAD IV Therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre can contribute to an improvement in energy levels, muscle recovery, cognitive function, and more. It’s available in our IV Lounge right now –  send us a message immediately to request your consultation! 

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

Amjad S, Nisar S, Bhat AA, Shah AR, Frenneaux MP, Fakhro K, Haris M, Reddy R, Patay Z, Baur J, Bagga P. Role of NAD+ in regulating cellular and metabolic signaling pathways. Mol Metab. 2021 Jul;49:101195. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101195. Epub 2021 Feb 17. PMID: 33609766; PMCID: PMC7973386.

Braidy, N., & Villalva, M. D. (2020). Sobriety and Satiety: Is NAD+ the Answer? Antioxidants, 9(5), 425. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9050425

Campelj D, Philp A. NAD+ Therapeutics and Skeletal Muscle Adaptation to Exercise in Humans. Sports Med. 2022 Dec;52(Suppl 1):91-99. doi: 10.1007/s40279-022-01772-2. Epub 2022 Nov 4. PMID: 36331703; PMCID: PMC9734213.

Covarrubias AJ, Perrone R, Grozio A, Verdin E. NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2021 Feb;22(2):119-141. doi: 10.1038/s41580-020-00313-x. Epub 2020 Dec 22. PMID: 33353981; PMCID: PMC7963035.

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Goody, M. F., & Henry, C. A. (2018). A need for NAD+ in muscle development, homeostasis, and aging. Skeletal Muscle, 8, 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13395-018-0154-1

Iqbal, T., & Nakagawa, T. (2024). The therapeutic perspective of NAD+ precursors in age-related diseases. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 702, 149590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149590

Long AN, Owens K, Schlappal AE, Kristian T, Fishman PS, Schuh RA. Effect of nicotinamide mononucleotide on brain mitochondrial respiratory deficits in an Alzheimer’s disease-relevant murine model. BMC Neurol. 2015 Mar 1;15:19. doi: 10.1186/s12883-015-0272-x. PMID: 25884176; PMCID: PMC4358858.

McReynolds, M. R., Chellappa, K., & Baur, J. A. (2020). Age-related NAD+ decline. Experimental Gerontology, 134, 110888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2020.110888

Radenkovic, D., & Verdin, E. (2020). Clinical Evidence for Targeting NAD Therapeutically. Pharmaceuticals, 13(9), 247. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph13090247

Shi, C., Wen, Z., Yang, Y., Shi, L., & Liu, D. (2024). NAD+ metabolism and therapeutic strategies in cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis Plus, 57, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athplu.2024.06.001

Yoshino M, Yoshino J, Kayser BD, et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women. Science. 2021;372(6547):1224-1229. doi:10.1126/science.abe9985