Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide aka NAD+
At Seaside, we pride ourselves for discovering and implementing breakthrough therapeutics in the clinical setting, and we postulate that NAD+ supplementation is the emerging wonder in the world of Anti-Aging and Cognitive Prowess. A great body of evidence coupled with advancements in pharmaceuticals has facilitated our ability and strengthened our confidence in offering intravenous infusion of NAD+ to our patient population. We now have a viable option to restore energy, vitality and mental clarity in the face of physiologic and environmental stressors.
What is NAD+?
NAD+ is synthesized in the cells with NAD+ precursors such as tryptophan, and different forms of Vitamin B3. Tryptophan builds NAD+ de novo through the kynurenine pathway. Tryptophan is also the starting substrate for serotonin and melatonin production (hence why that Thanksgiving turkey made you sleepy).
Vitamin B3 consists of nicotinic acid found in plants and algae, nicotinamide, a by-product of pyridine nucleotide, and nicotinamide riboside found in milk. Fig 1
These vitamins build NAD+ with help of several other factors, including the gut microbiome.
What are the biological roles of NAD+?
Many processes in the body depend on NAD+ including cholesterol synthesis, glutathione generation, DNA repair and gene expression, adaptive stress responses, maintenance of calcium homeostasis, ATP generation and most importantly control of lifespan through the sirtuin pathway.
ENERGY – One way NAD+ controls cellular energy is by serving as a reservoir for hydrogen ions involved in REDOX reactions in the mitochondria. The REDOX reaction produces ATP, the “energy currency” of the body. Without adequate stores of NAD+, this reaction slows down and ATP production declines. Perturbations in mitochondrial function leads to genomic instability which ultimately leads to cell demise.
AGING – In addition to being the regulator of metabolic processes in the body, NAD+ also aides sirtuins, a class of enzymes that regulate our genes and protect the cells from dying prematurely. Sirtuins play a pivotal role in longevity and accelerated aging, and they need an optimal amount of NAD+ to function.
With over 500 processes in the body dependent of adequate concentrations of NAD+, it is no wonder it has become a salient area of research for targeted therapies towards degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and chronic inflammatory conditions.
What reduces NAD+ production?
When the production of NAD+ declines or the consumption is too high, there is an imbalance of supply and demand. The demand may be acute such as excessive DNA damage from free radicals or UV attack, or from chronic inflammatory states. Accumulation of oxidative stress in the aged population also depletes NAD+ stores. High fat diet, deficiency in vitamin B3 or B6 or tryptophan decrease production of NAD+.
What increases NAD+ production?
Caloric restriction, exercise, glucose deprivation, resveratrol, adequate intake of vitamin B3, vitamin B6 and tryptophan, as well as NAD+ precursors such as NMN or NR.
In a seminal paper on NAD+ released in January 2019, the authors postulate that NAD+ supplementation may lead to beneficial effects on brain, cardiac, and renal function under various stressors, and that intravenous administration of NAD+ is the only effective means of clinically increasing system NAD+ levels.1
What is the process of NAD infusion?
NAD comes in an injectable form or diluted in solution for intravenous delivery. The injection may be administered at home intramuscularly with a 25 gauge needle. The intravenous solution contains 400mg of pure NAD+ which is then infused over 2- 2.5 hours. The effects are immediate, and may be repeated every week or every month thereafter. Treatment intervals are yet to be elucidated, and likely will depend on each individual’s response. Adverse effects during the infusion are nausea, shortness of breath, chest tightness and rapid heart rate. These effects subside while receiving the infusion or shortly thereafter.
Candidates most suitable for this procedure are essentially anyone interested in boosting cellular energy metabolism in their body. Those with chronic illness, chronic inflammatory condition, accelerated aging, elderly, athletes, fatigue, addiction may benefit the most from even just one session.
My experience after a single session of intravenous NAD+ was profound. It was like pressing the boost button on my brain. I had an immediate sense of wellbeing, energy, mental clarity, vision enhancement, and a renewed zest for life! Others have described their NAD experience in similar ways:
- Feeling of being grounded
- Improved immune system
- Enhanced energy
- Faster recovery
- Better motivation
- Sharpened senses
The cost is $600 per session and for a limited time, we’re offering first session at $300.
References
- Nady Braidy et al. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling: 2019 Jan 10; 30(2): 251–294.
- Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) Reduces Metabolic Impairment in Male Mouse Offspring from Obese Mothers. David Sinclair et. al. Cells. April 9(4): 791, 2020.
- NAD+ in Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Sinclair, et al. Cell metabolism, October 2019 1;30(4): 630-655.