From the Guidelines
NAD injection is a form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide supplementation, where NAD is a coenzyme found in all living cells, playing a crucial role in cellular metabolism and energy production, and its levels naturally decline with age. According to the espen micronutrient guideline 1, Niacin is a collective term for nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, and all tissues in the body convert absorbed niacin into its main metabolically active form, the coenzyme NAD. The guideline highlights that more than 400 enzymes require NAD to catalyze reactions in the body, which is more than for any other vitamin-derived coenzyme 1.
Some key points to consider about NAD injections include:
- NAD+ levels decline with age, leading to interest in supplementation for potential anti-aging and health benefits
- The injections are typically administered by healthcare professionals in clinical settings, with dosages ranging from 500-1000mg per session
- Treatment protocols vary but often involve initial loading doses followed by maintenance sessions
- Potential benefits claimed include increased energy, improved cognitive function, and cellular repair
- Side effects may include flushing, fatigue, headache, or discomfort at the injection site
It's essential to note that while NAD+ is essential for cellular function, the scientific evidence for therapeutic benefits from injections is still emerging, and these treatments can be expensive, typically costing $200-800 per session, and are generally not covered by insurance as they're considered experimental or complementary medicine 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Definition of NAD
- Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme found in all living cells, serving as a critical coenzyme for enzymes that fuel reduction-oxidation reactions 2.
- NAD+ is an essential pyridine nucleotide cofactor that is present in cells and in several important biological processes, including oxidative phosphorylation and production of adenosine triphosphate, DNA repair, calcium-dependent secondary messenger and gene expression 3.
Role of NAD in the Body
- NAD+ participates in redox reactions and NAD+-dependent signaling processes, which involve the cleavage of NAD+ coupled to posttranslational modifications of proteins or the production of second messengers 4.
- NAD+ regulates energy metabolism, DNA damage repair, gene expression, and stress response, and is critical for mitochondrial function 5.
- Mitochondrial NAD+ plays a critical role in energy production pathways, including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation 5.
NAD Supplementation and Therapeutic Targets
- Supplementation with NAD+ precursors may represent a new therapeutic opportunity for aging and its associated disorders, particularly neurodegenerative diseases 2.
- NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), can play important protective roles in several diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and retinal degenerative diseases 6.
- Enhancing NAD+ levels can profoundly reduce oxidative cell damage in catabolic tissue, including the brain, and promotion of intracellular NAD+ anabolism represents a promising therapeutic strategy for age-associated degenerative diseases 6.
Safety and Effectiveness of NAD Supplementation
- The oral administration of NADH can be associated with an increase in general quality of life and improvement on health parameters, such as a decrease in anxiety, maximum heart rate, inflammatory cytokines in serum, and cerebrospinal fluid 3.
- NADH supplementation is safe and has a low incidence of side effects, with the most common side effects being muscle pain, nervous disorders, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and headaches 3.