More and more people are including NAD—a coenzyme indispensable for the basic functions of the human body—into their dietary supplement regime. But is taking NAD pills the best way to boost its levels? Or should you turn to IV therapy for replenishing your NAD supplies? In the article below, we discuss the pros and cons of the two methods.
What Is NAD?
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a coenzyme that plays a crucial role in many essential biological processes in the body, from supporting healthy cell growth to reversing DNA damage, maintaining muscle function, and promoting a healthier sleep cycle. As a powerful antioxidant, it can also slow down the aging process.
NAD is naturally produced by the body, but its levels gradually decrease with age. This decline can be further accelerated by stress, overeating, poor sleep, and the use of drugs or alcohol. Low levels of NAD can cause a range of health issues, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease.
Benefits of NAD
Maintaining muscle tone and function
NAD is indispensable for muscle development. It provides energy to the muscle cells, ensuring increased strength and endurance. NAD supplementation is effectively used to enhance athletic performance, accelerate muscle recovery, and reduce muscle soreness after a workout.
Aiding healthy cell growth
NAD plays an essential role in cellular respiration. It is used by all types of cells in the body to generate cellular energy and ensure healthy cell growth.
Counteracting cellular damage
Following brain injury or neurodegenerative disease, the mitochondria release free radicals that may cause further damage to the cells. Boosting NAD levels has been shown to reduce cellular damage due to free radical buildup.
Reversing the damage done to the mitochondria
NAD can repair the damage in the mitochondria caused by a range of genetic and environmental factors like pollution, radiation from sunlight and radon, and industrial chemicals. It also enables the brain to function at the optimal level by repairing and reinforcing the activity of neurons and protecting them from further damage.
Slowing down aging
One of the most important benefits of NAD is countering the effects of aging. NAD deficiency is associated with signs of aging like chronic fatigue, depression, stress and anxiety, weakened immune system, sleep issues, memory problems, and more. Increasing NAD levels through supplementation can repair the damage caused by the reduced functioning of the molecule. Moreover, NAD is the key to reversing the dermal signs of aging, for example, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, the loss of skin elasticity, and photoaging due to long-term sun exposure.
Combating age-related diseases
Research has confirmed a direct correlation between NAD levels and cardiovascular and metabolic age-related diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and diabetes. Replenishing NAD levels via supplements has beneficial effects when it comes to combating these diseases.
Improving metabolism
NAD acts as a delivery mechanism in energy creation during metabolic chemical reactions that occur in the body. It plays an important role in the body’s metabolic regulation and energy homeostasis, a balance of the production and consumption of metabolic resources. If your body has adequate levels of NAD and your metabolism is functioning properly, your energy levels will be high. Because boosting metabolism is key to keeping weight under control, increasing NAD levels can also help lose weight.
Setting your body’s circadian rhythm
NAD regulates your body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. If your circadian rhythm is not functioning properly, your sleeping patterns will get disrupted, potentially leading to various health issues, accelerating the aging process, and making you more prone to disease. Taking NAD supplements can help normalize your circadian rhythm and improve your sleep quality.
Pros and Cons of NAD+ Supplements
More people are adding NAD+ to their daily grouping of healthy dietary supplements, but is that the best method? Compared to NAD+ IV therapy, consider these pros and cons before adding these supplements to your daily routine.
Convenience
If your daily grind has you moving around all day, you might prefer the convenience of taking a daily pill. The morning trip to your medicine cabinet takes only a few minutes, and you can quickly move on with your day.
Finding NAD+ supplements is relatively easy, too. Do a bit of online research, then wait two or more days for shipping or drive to the nearest available store.
You do have to be careful during shipping, though, because these supplemental pills are so fragile. Without careful transportation, they’ll degrade from prolonged light and heat exposure, or deteriorate if wet.
Safer for Immunocompromised Individuals
People living with weaker immune systems may prefer long-term use of dietary supplements rather than IV therapy. Nurses administering IV therapy packages put their patients first, instituting comprehensive precautionary measures to prevent any complications. Understandably, some immunocompromised people may prefer dietary supplements to limit their exposure to intravenous care.
Less Effective
Your digestive system doesn’t fully absorb NAD+ supplements, which dilutes any potential benefits. Effectiveness also varies from person to person, depending on your circulatory system, gastric emptying time and body response to the NAD+ supplement.
Cons of NAD Supplements
- The digestive system partially breaks down the nutrients before the cells get a chance to fully absorb NAD supplements. This makes them less effective than intravenous therapy.
- The effectiveness of NAD supplements varies from person to person. It may depend on the factors such as your circulatory system and your body’s response to the supplement.
- There are risks involved in taking high quantities of store-bought supplements as they often contain artificial ingredients.
Pros of NAD IV
- NAD IV therapy is highly effective. It delivers NAD directly into your bloodstream, making it immediately available for your cells with a 100% absorption rate.
- Unlike store-bought oral supplements, the NAD IV solution contains no artificial ingredients. IV treatment is a holistic therapy that uses only naturally occurring chemicals, so that no synthetic or harmful substances will enter your body.
- NAD IV therapy has immediate effects and offers lasting results.
- Getting NAD via intravenous infusion offers many additional benefits. IV formulas are typically based on a normal saline solution that rehydrates your body and flushes out any toxins or free radicals.
- An IV formula can include other vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Adding these essential nutrients to the IV solution will not only enhance the effectiveness of NAD, but also allow you to enjoy additional benefits such as increased energy, mental clarity, improved cognitive function, and overall well-being.
- NAD IV therapy is a safe treatment with very rare and mild side effects like nausea, fatigue, and headache.
Cons of NAD IV
- NAD IV therapy takes longer than simply swallowing a NAD pill. Depending on the type of your treatment, a session can last anywhere from 1.5 to 4 hours.
- IV therapy must be administered by a certified nurse and requires special equipment, including IV poll, catheter, and other supplies.
Most Effective
Unlike NAD+ dietary pills with a low absorption rate, IV therapy treatments provide you with 100% absorption. Infusion therapy delivers NAD+, along with other healthy vitamins, directly into your bloodstream, making it immediately available for your cells to use.
Extra Benefits of IV Therapy
Getting NAD+ delivered via IV therapy rehydrates your body and flushes out any toxins or free radicals. You’ll receive the anti-aging and reparative benefits of NAD+ along with the instant advantages of rehydration, like increased concentration, better memory and more energy.
Plus, Mobile IV Medics provides customizable therapy that allows you to add other nutrients, such as vitamin C, magnesium and extra NAD+.
More Timely
Comfortable NAD+ IV therapy takes anywhere between one to four hours, depending on your treatment and provider. Some providers offer full-service delivery straight to your work or office, saving you time on transportation and allowing you to continue your daily routine.
The process is easy and convenient when you opt for full-service delivery. Once the nurse starts your IV drip, you can get comfortable and continue your day watching TV, reading your favorite book or magazine or tackling work assignments on your device.
Get NAD+ IV Therapy From Mobile IV Medics
DripDok is a fully mobile IV therapy company in Bali, Indonesia, dedicated to giving you concierge-level service and a comfortable experience. We offer various IV treatment packages, including our NAD+ IV Drip Package — an NAD+ infusion treatment paired with an all-inclusive vitamin boost to keep your mind and body feeling refreshed and ready to go.
Our treatments are customizable, too. Optimize your NAD+ infusion with add-ins like:
- Vitamin B complex
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Glutathione
- Magnesium
- MIC and L-carnitine
- Extra NAD+
- Taurine
- Zinc
In addition to high performance and elite peptides such as:
- TB500
- BPC157
- GHK-CU
- Epitalon
- Ipamorelin
- 9-ME-BC
- KEA-100
Contact us or book an appointment online, and we’ll visit your home, office or hotel room within the hour. Our registered nurses will get to know you as they take your vitals and assess the best IV treatment for you. The IV insertion is virtually painless using our topical numbing spray, and our comfortable application makes the rest of the treatment a breeze