What Is NAD+ and Why Are Celebrities Obsessed With It? The Science-Backed Guide to Energy, Metabolism & Healthy Aging

Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know About NAD+ Injections

• NAD+ is essential: This coenzyme powers cellular energy production, DNA repair, and metabolic function in every cell

• Levels decline with age: NAD+ drops by up to 50% by middle age, contributing to fatigue, brain fog, and metabolic dysfunction

• Injections bypass digestion: Direct delivery provides superior bioavailability compared to oral supplements

• Research shows promise: Clinical studies demonstrate safety and potential benefits for energy, metabolism, and insulin sensitivity

• Medical supervision required: NAD+ injections should only be administered by licensed healthcare providers

• Side effects are mild: Most common effects include temporary injection site reactions and mild fatigue

  
  

What Is NAD+ and Why Should You Care About It?

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is far more than just another wellness trend—it's a fundamental molecule that keeps your cells alive and functioning. NAD+ is an essential pyridine nucleotide cofactor present in every cell, playing crucial roles in oxidative phosphorylation, ATP production, DNA repair, and gene expression.

Think of NAD+ as your cellular powerhouse. NAD+ plays a pivotal role in cellular metabolism and is a co-substrate for enzymes that play key roles in pathways that modify aging. When your NAD+ levels are optimal, your cells can efficiently produce energy, repair damage, and maintain healthy function.

The Problem: In mice, NAD+ levels have been found to decrease twofold by mid-age, correlating with the onset of multiple age-related issues. While human data is more limited, research suggests a similar pattern of decline that begins as early as your late twenties.

Why Do NAD+ Levels Drop as We Age?

The decline in NAD+ isn't just about getting older—it's a complex process involving multiple factors:

Natural Aging Process: Physiological NAD/NADH levels decline with increasing age, as the activities of both the salvage pathways and synthesis are reduced, the result of altered levels of rate-limiting enzymes and precursors.

Lifestyle Factors: Chronic stress, poor sleep, alcohol consumption, and certain medications can accelerate NAD+ depletion even in younger individuals.

Increased Consumption: Prolonged disequilibrium of NAD+ metabolism disturbs the physiological functions, resulting in diseases including metabolic diseases, cancer, aging and neurodegeneration disorder.

How Do NAD+ Injections Work Differently from Supplements?

While oral NAD+ supplements flood the market, injections offer distinct advantages:

Superior Bioavailability: NAD+ supplements have to travel through your digestive system before reaching your bloodstream. With injections, NAD+ is absorbed directly into your blood, so it can get to work faster.

Controlled Dosing: Overall, acute intravenous infusions of 500 mg NR were safe in the study participants with no attributable adverse events and only minor and transient infusion-related experiences.

Faster Results: Clinical observations suggest that patients often notice improvements in energy and mental clarity within days rather than weeks.

What Does the Research Say About NAD+ Injection Benefits?

Energy and Mitochondrial Function

Successful restoration of NAD+ to youthful levels resulted in cardiovascular improvements and the reversal of multiple metabolic conditions. Improvements to muscle function and endurance were also observed together with increased mitochondrial function, ATP production.

Metabolic Health and Weight Management

The connection between NAD+ and metabolism is particularly compelling. NAD+ levels are associated with insulin resistance. Loss of Nampt causes severe adipose tissue dysfunction, manifested by local adipose tissue inflammation, increased plasma FFA concentrations, and decreased production of adiponectin.

Research shows that oral administration of NMN, a key NAD+ intermediate, is able to largely restore adipose tissue NAD+ biosynthesis and to completely normalize insulin resistance.

Cognitive Function and Neuroprotection

Significant neurological benefits have also been demonstrated in Alzheimer disease animal models on NAD+ restoration, including improved cognition and nerve regeneration.

Anti-Aging and Cellular Repair

NAD+ restoration was also found to rescue vision by reversing retinal degeneration. An increased capacity for organ protection and regeneration after injury was found in the liver, heart, and kidneys.

Are NAD+ Injections Safe? What the Clinical Studies Show

Safety is paramount when considering any therapeutic intervention. The good news? Current research shows a favorable safety profile.

Clinical Safety Data: No study reported severe side effects, supporting the thesis that these interventions are likely to be relatively safe for human use. Multiple widely used over-the-counter supplements increase NAD levels, including niacin, NR, and NMN, and vitamin B3 supplementation have been in use for many years.

Systematic Review Findings: This review includes 10 studies, with a total of 489 participants. Based on studies, the supplementation with NADH and precursors was well tolerated and observed clinical results such as, a decrease in anxiety conditions and maximum heart rate was observed after a stress test, increased muscle insulin sensitivity, insulin signaling.

Common Side Effects: All studies showed some side effects, thus, the most common associated with NADs use are muscle pain, nervous disorders, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and headaches. All adverse events cataloged by the studies did not present a serious risk to the health of the participants.

Who Should Consider NAD+ Injection Therapy?

NAD+ injections may benefit individuals experiencing:

• Persistent fatigue or low energy levels

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

• Slowed metabolism or unexplained weight gain

• Signs of premature aging

• Recovery from illness or chronic stress

• Interest in optimizing longevity and wellness

  
  

Important Contraindications: Those with severe liver or kidney disease, active cancer, or known allergies to NAD+ components should avoid this therapy.

What Should You Expect from NAD+ Treatment?

Initial Consultation: A thorough medical evaluation including health history, current medications, and treatment goals.

Customized Protocol: Dosing and frequency tailored to individual needs and response.

Gradual Introduction: Start with 50 mg (0.5 mL) subcutaneously once weekly for 4 weeks to assess tolerance.

Monitoring: Regular follow-ups to track progress and adjust treatment as needed.

How Do NAD+ Injections Compare to IV Therapy?

Injections vs. IV Infusions: In comparison to NAD+ IV, NR IV had a faster infusion time with superior tolerability.

Convenience Factor: NAD+ IV drips also bypass the gut, but you can't DIY an IV. You need to spend several hours at a clinic, tethered to an IV drip to get a similar dose to home injections.

Cost Considerations: NAD+ infusion therapy sessions can run upwards of $1200 per session, and NAD+ injections for home use can cost $425 per month or more through other companies.

What Are the Current Limitations and Future Research Directions?

Research Gaps: To date, there are no large-scale human studies demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of NAD therapy. While preclinical data is promising, more human clinical trials are needed.

Need for Larger Studies: The current evidence base from preclinical research on NAD+ is setting the stage for trials in humans by identifying the points at which intervening in the NAD+ metabolism process seems to be clinically and physiologically relevant.

Future Directions: The assessment of efficacy in well-powered phase 2 and phase 3 trials is urgently awaited in order to draw clear conclusions.

How to Choose a Qualified NAD+ Provider

When considering NAD+ injection therapy:

Medical Supervision Required: NAD+ injections are safe when they are provided as a prescription and administered with the correct dosage.

Verify Credentials: Choose licensed medical professionals with experience in regenerative medicine or anti-aging therapies.

Quality Sourcing: Buying NAD+ injections online—or frankly, buying any supplement on the internet—isn't something to take lightly. The Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate supplements the same way they regulate medications.

Comprehensive Evaluation: Look for providers who conduct thorough medical assessments before treatment.

The Bottom Line: Is NAD+ Right for You?

NAD+ injection therapy represents a promising frontier in regenerative medicine and healthy aging. Based on the human trials conducted to date, NAD pharmacology is a promising treatment strategy that is likely to be safe for human use.

However, despite several decades of active investigation, there is still only suggestive evidence, in the form of a few successful and sufficiently powered clinical trials, for NAD upregulation to be effective for any of the many potential indications where it may benefit patients.

The takeaway: While the research is encouraging and safety profile favorable, NAD+ therapy should be viewed as part of a comprehensive approach to health optimization, not a magic bullet. Work with qualified healthcare providers to determine if this therapy aligns with your health goals and medical history.

Ready to Explore NAD+ Therapy?

At Medical Specialists MN, we combine cutting-edge science with personalized care to help you achieve optimal health. Our experienced team can evaluate whether NAD+ injection therapy is right for your unique situation and health goals.

Located in Edina, MN—serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the greater Twin Cities area.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation:

Phone: (952) 225-5400

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any NAD+ therapy program.