What if ageing isn’t just an unstoppable decline of our body but a process we can definitively slow down? This question is driving many researchers to study the pace of our natural ageing process and whether there’s more going on under the surface than we initially believed. Much of that study revolves around a peculiar molecule called NAD+. Short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, it exists in all the cells of our body. The thing that has grabbed the attention of scientists, though, is that NAD+ levels in our bodies drop as we grow older.
Considering its role in our bodily functions, there’s reason to believe that understanding this molecule can unlock new approaches to slow our ageing process, potentially. While that sounds incredible on paper, let us first unpack what exactly NAD+ is and then examine why it is stirring such excitement in the scientific community.
Why are scientists paying so much attention to NAD+?
NAD+ influences many parts of our ageing process. Not only does a drop in NAD+ affect our energy reserves, but it also has links to conditions such as increased inflammation, slower muscle repair, and even reduced brain function.
At a basic level, NAD+ serves as a support molecule for all the cells in our body. Emerging evidence also links it with improved immune health, suggesting its decline may contribute to increased vulnerability to infections with age. One of this molecule’s most essential roles, however, is to keep sirtuins functioning. Nicknamed “longevity regulators” of the body, these proteins oversee our mitochondrial health and stress responses. When the NAD+ levels decrease, the proteins in our body also become weaker.
What’s interesting to many scientists, as numerous studies also show, is that increasing NAD+ levels in the bodies of laboratory animals has demonstrated improvements in sirtuins, increased DNA repair capacity, enhanced metabolism, increased endurance, and potential for slowing down the ageing process altogether.
How can you increase your NAD+ levels?
Activities such as high-intensity exercise, time-restricted eating, and even cold exposure have all been shown to stimulate the body’s production of NAD+. These habits activate specific biological stress responses that prompt the body to become more efficient in self-repair, which includes generating NAD+. Some experts also recommend reducing alcohol intake and avoiding excessive sun exposure, both of which are believed to deplete NAD+ stores over time. But if you’re looking for something with a direct effect, this is where NAD+ supplementation comes into play. The two popular approaches to increasing NAD+ are either via oral NAD+ precursors or direct NAD+ IV drips.
The former approach, however, comes with a problem. Oral NAD+ supplements take a long time to do their job. Not only that but a good portion of the active compound is lost during digestion, leaving only a fraction available for your cells. Hence, many experts now consider NAD+ IV infusions to be a superior option. IV therapy introduces NAD+ directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gut entirely. This allows for a faster, more complete uptake by the body.
What are the benefits of NAD+ IV infusion?
When you look at all the early clinical observations and anecdotal accounts, you can observe significant improvements in mental alertness, recovery time, physical stamina, and even mood balance. What makes the molecule so attractive isn’t just its role in biological mechanics but how tangibly it appears to support healthy ageing. From busy professionals battling burnout to older adults looking to maintain vitality, more and more people are turning to NAD+ as a core part of their wellness and longevity routines. The growing consensus among specialists is that even as more data rolls in, the early signs are promising, and NAD+ could be the key to living a better life.
What should you consider before trying NAD+ IV therapy?
NAD+ therapy needs to be approached with a certain thoughtfulness. The first thing to consider is cost. Sessions for NAD+ can range anywhere from £100 to over £300, depending on the dosage and if you’ve added additional supplements into the mix. The rule of thumb here is to look for a longevity clinic in London that offers both personalised regimens and package deals.
In terms of frequency, some people opt for a loading phase that goes from week to week, followed by maintenance sessions once every few weeks or months. Your clinic of choice will most likely monitor your response actively during the first few sessions to help tailor the dosage and prevent side effects, such as nausea or lightheadedness, which some individuals may experience.
Perhaps the most crucial advice we can share is that, while NAD+ is naturally produced in our bodies, introducing high concentrations intravenously does warrant medical oversight. It’s best to consult with a qualified practitioner who is familiar with your medical history before beginning treatment, especially if you have pre-existing conditions or are on medications that could interact with the therapy.
What does the future hold for NAD+?
While further research will help us better understand the entirety of the secrets held by NAD+, the researchers are already seeing encouraging results in real-world settings. Its multifaceted role in maintaining cellular health, energy metabolism, and DNA repair makes it one of the most exciting frontiers in the science of ageing. Several biotech companies are already developing NAD+-targeted therapeutics aimed at treating age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular degeneration. Additionally, with NAD+ IV therapy becoming more accessible through longevity clinics, the pathway to optimising our later years, if not outright delaying them, has become increasingly tangible. But for now, let’s embrace NAD+ less as a way to chase eternal youth and more as a potentially perfect way of supporting our body’s natural ability to thrive.