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 can be boosted through supplementation, including injections, with a typical dosage of 500-1000mg per session, as supported by the espen micronutrient guideline 1. The main functions of Niacin, which is converted into NAD in the body, include helping to convert nutrients into energy, create cholesterol and fats, create and repair DNA, and exert antioxidant effects, as stated in the espen micronutrient guideline 1. Some key points to consider about NAD injections include:
- The typical dosage ranges from 500-1000mg per session, often administered over 1-4 hours depending on the protocol, with treatment courses of 1-10 sessions, and maintenance sessions recommended every 1-3 months.
- NAD+ injections are used to potentially boost energy levels, improve cognitive function, support cellular repair, and aid in addiction recovery, based on the scientific rationale that NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, and replenishing these levels may help restore optimal cellular function, as supported by the espen micronutrient guideline 1.
- While some preliminary research shows promise, NAD+ injections are considered experimental with limited large-scale clinical trials supporting their efficacy, and side effects may include flushing, headache, chest tightness, and discomfort at the injection site, as noted in the context of the espen micronutrient guideline 1. It's essential to note that these treatments should only be administered by qualified healthcare providers in appropriate clinical settings, and the espen micronutrient guideline 1 provides a foundation for understanding the role of NAD in the body. Key aspects of NAD supplementation, including injections, are:
- Niacin is obtained in the diet from a variety of whole and processed foods, with highest contents in fortified packaged foods, meat, poultry, red fish such as tuna and salmon, lesser amounts in nuts, legumes and seeds, as stated in the espen micronutrient guideline 1.
- Niacin can be synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan in the liver, with 1 mg nicotinamide equivalent to 1 NE (niacin equivalent), and parenteral nutrition doses are 40 mg/day, as supported by the espen micronutrient guideline 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Definition and Function of NAD
- Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential pyridine nucleotide cofactor present in cells, involved in various biological processes such as oxidative phosphorylation, DNA repair, and gene expression 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- NAD+ plays a critical role in energy production pathways, including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation 4.
- It serves as a substrate for ADP-ribosylation and deacetylation by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) and sirtuins, respectively, regulating energy metabolism, DNA damage repair, gene expression, and stress response 4.
NAD+ Supplementation and Therapeutic Targets
- Supplementation with NADH and precursors has been shown to be well tolerated and associated with clinical benefits such as decreased anxiety, improved muscle insulin sensitivity, and increased quality of life 2.
- NAD+ metabolism is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and retinal degenerative diseases, and maintaining appropriate NAD+ levels is important for mitochondrial function 3, 4.
- Enhancing NAD+ availability has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for age-associated degenerative diseases, with NAD+ precursors such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) showing promise in preclinical studies 5, 6.
Safety and Efficacy of NAD+ Supplementation
- The oral administration of NADH has been associated with an increase in general quality of life and improvement in health parameters, with a low incidence of side effects 2.
- However, potential risks of raising NAD+ levels include the accumulation of putative toxic metabolites, tumorigenesis, and promotion of cellular senescence, highlighting the need for further studies to establish the long-term safety and efficacy of NAD+ supplementation 6.