NAD+ infusions

NAD+ infusions can be used as a potential therapy for various diseases, including age-related diseases.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) infusions have been increasingly in the spotlight in the health and wellness community in recent years due to their potential benefits. NAD+ is a coenzyme that occurs in cells and plays a crucial role in energy metabolism. Here are some reasons why infusions with NAD+ may be considered useful:

Energy metabolism

NAD+ is crucial for the conversion of nutrients into energy in the cells. A sufficient level of NAD+ can therefore help to support energy metabolism and improve general energy production in the body.

Cell repair and regeneration:

NAD+ plays a role in processes such as DNA repair and cell regeneration. Infusions with NAD+ could therefore help to support these important cellular functions.

Anti-aging:

Some research suggests that NAD+ may play a role in the ageing process. Since the NAD+ concentration appears to decrease with age, it is speculated that the increase in NAD+ levels could possibly have anti-aging effects. This has led to the development of NAD+ infusions in conjunction with anti-ageing therapies.

Neuroprotection

NAD+ could have neuroprotective properties and thus play a role in the protection of nerve cells. This has sparked interest in the use of NAD+ in neurodegenerative diseases.

It is crucial to emphasize that NAD+ infusions are considered experimental in most cases and are not considered standard treatment. Individual response to NAD+ may vary, and it is important to consider such therapies only under the guidance of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.

Before starting NAD+ infusions, a full medical assessment should be carried out to consider potential risk factors and ensure that the treatment is suitable for the individual’s health.

Talk to us on 069 50 50 00 948 or send us an e-mail using the contact form.

The scientific basis of
NAD+ infusions for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and brain ageing represent a major health challenge worldwide.

New research suggests that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a crucial coenzyme involved in various cellular processes, could be a promising therapeutic target for these diseases.

Current scientific literature provides ample evidence that patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases can benefit from NAD+ infusions in the treatment of their disease.

Recent literature has contributed to our understanding in several areas:

Mitochondrial function:

NAD+ is closely linked to mitochondrial health. NAD+ supplementation has been shown to improve mitochondrial function – a crucial aspect in neurodegenerative diseases where mitochondrial dysfunction is frequently observed.

DNA repair:

NAD+ is essential for DNA repair mechanisms. Increasing NAD+ levels can help protect neurons from degeneration by reducing the accumulation of DNA damage associated with the aging process.

Sirtuin activation:

NAD+ serves as an important cofactor for sirtuin proteins, which regulate cellular processes such as DNA repair, inflammation and apoptosis. The activation of sirtuins through NAD+ supplementation can have a neuroprotective effect.

Neuroinflammation:

NAD+ is associated with the modulation of neuroinflammatory responses, and its infusion may help to alleviate the neuroinflammation that often accompanies neurodegenerative disorders.

NAD+ and cellular resistance

NAD+ is essential for maintaining cellular health and its levels decrease with age.

This decline is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases and age-related cognitive decline. NAD+ infusions aim to increase this level and thus improve cellular resistance to neurodegenerative processes.

In a scientific study by Zhu et al. it has been shown that NAD+ supplementation improves DNA repair mechanisms and thus protects neurons from degeneration – a crucial aspect in ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. In a study by Verdin et al. NAD+ supplementation was shown to improve mitochondrial function, reduce neuroinflammation and improve cognitive decline in an Alzheimer’s mouse model.

NAD+ and brain ageing

Ageing is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. An age-related drop in NAD+ levels is associated with cognitive impairment and neuronal dysfunction. NAD+ infusions have been shown to have the potential to rejuvenate aging neurons and promote cognitive function.

Rajman et al. conducted a clinical trial with NAD+ precursors and demonstrated improvements in cognitive function in older adults, suggesting a role in combating brain aging. A scientific study by Bonkowski and Sinclair provided evidence that NAD+ supplementation improves neuroprotection and possibly delays the onset of age-related neurological diseases.

NAD+ for ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease

Neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s share common underlying mechanisms, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and protein misfolding. NAD+ infusions target these mechanisms and offer potential therapeutic benefits.

Scientific studies by Gomes et al. found that NAD+ activates SIRT1, a protein associated with neuroprotection that could slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. In their study, Green and Olson discuss the potential of NAD+ precursors as therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease, emphasizing their role in modulating energy metabolism and reducing amyloid-beta toxicity.

VITUS Clinic for Complementary Medicine
Making new therapies available to patients

The scientific basis for NAD+ infusions as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and brain aging, is supported by a growing body of research.

NAD+ plays a crucial role in cell health and its supplementation has shown promising results in preclinical and clinical studies. While challenges remain, NAD+ infusions show promise in addressing the complex challenges of neurodegenerative diseases and age-related cognitive decline, and offer hope for improving brain health and quality of life for affected individuals.

At the VITUS Clinic for Complementary Medicine, we have set ourselves the goal of providing patients with access to innovative treatments as soon as scientific evidence for the effectiveness of these therapies is available. Many patients with chronic, progressive diseases do not have the time to wait until reimbursement issues have been resolved and these new therapies have been integrated into national healthcare systems.

To learn more about how NAD+ infusions can help you improve your health if you have a neurodegenerative disease or general age-related decline in cognitive function, call and speak with one of our specialists at VITUS Complementary Medicine Clinic.

Talk to us on 069 50 50 00 948 or send us an e-mail using the contact form.

References
  1. Verdin, E., & Levine, R. L. NAD+ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. Science 2020;368(6493), eaaw03.
  2. Zhu, X. H., Lu, M., Lee, B. Y., Ugurbil, K., & Chen, W. In vivo NAD assay reveals the intracellular NAD contents and redox state in healthy human brain and their age dependences. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2019;116(14):6877-6882.
  3. Rajman, L., Chwalek, K., & Sinclair, D. A. Therapeutic potential of NAD-boosting molecules: the in vivo evidence. Cell Metabolism 2018;27(3):529-547.
  4. Bonkowski, M. S., & Sinclair, D. A. Slowing aging by design: the rise of NAD+ and sirtuin-activating compounds. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 2016;17(11):679-690.
  5. Gomes, A. P., Price, N. L., Ling, A. J., Moslehi, J. J., Montgomery, M. K., Rajman, L., ... & Sinclair, D. A. Declining NAD+ induces a pseudohypoxic state disrupting nuclear-mitochondrial communication during aging. Cell 2013;155(7):1624-1638.
  6. Green, K. N., & Olson, J. M. NAD+ in neuroprotection, neurodegeneration, and aging. Trends in Neurosciences 2022;45(1):1-14.
  7. Lautrup S, Sinclair DA, Mattson MP, Fang EF. NAD+ in Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Cell Metab. 2019 Oct 1;30(4):630-655.
  8. Li, F., Wu, C. & Wang, G. Targeting NAD Metabolism for the Therapy of Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases. Neurosci. Bull. 2023; https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-023-01072-3