NAD+ - Optimizing the Aging Process
Aging is part of living. There is no way to stop aging - but we can take strides to maintain our freedom. By taking care of our bodies and our minds - we can sustain our mental clarity, maintain our ability to move freely, and maximize our energy as we get older and continue to enjoy life!
One tool for maintaining our vitality as we age is NAD+ (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) - a coenzyme that functions as the central regulator of our metabolism. NAD+ is central to biological functioning and metabolic processes - it even repairs DNA. Simply put, we would not be able to live without this coenzyme.
NAD+ - A KEY FOCUS OF THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
It has been proven that NAD+ declines as we age. This is the reason that the scientific community is especially focused on this topic - researching its relevance to age-related diseases.
A review of NAD+ was recently published by the FDA’s Pharmacy Compounding Committee - shedding further light on its functionality and treatment outcomes. This review explains that NAD+ has been used since the late 1960s in IV form to significantly lessen withdrawal from alcohol and a variety of drugs. Additionally, in this report, the FDA features several clinical cases demonstrating significant improvements for patients suffering from drug and alcohol abuse as well as depression and concluded that NAD+ is a promising solution for other ailments including benzodiazepine dependence and prescription drug abuse (i.e. Adderal and opioids).
For example, a 2016 study found that mice and worms with degenerative muscles had improved muscle function when supplemented with NAD+ precursors. A 2017 study demonstrated that mice supplemented with an NAD+ precursor experienced an increase in DNA damage repair. A 2018 study found that mice with NAD+ precursor supplementation demonstrated improved cognitive function, pointing to signs of therapeutic potential for Alzheimer’s disease.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NAD+
So what does all of this mean to you? We all age and most of us understand that taking care of our bodies - regular exercise, a healthy diet, plenty of sleep - is critical to aging well. However, enhancing your NAD+ may prove to be another means of ensuring your health is optimized as you get older.
NAD+ IS IMPORTANT FOR A NUMBER OF KEY FUNCTIONS:
It plays a key role in the conversion of fuels, fats, protein, and carbs into energy.
It’s an important nutrient building block for the maintenance of our mitochondria (the powerhouse of our cells). The efficacy of mitochondria declines as we age and NAD+ can prevent this deterioration.
A healthy level of NAD+ has been demonstrated to enhance energy, regulate weight gain, and diminish brain fog.
NAD+ not only repairs our DNA, but it also protects our DNA from damage (including oxygen stress and sunlight damage).
It maintains our blood glucose levels - making our bodies more highly resilient as we age.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS
In addition to its effectiveness in aiding the aging process, NAD+ appears to be helpful in treating various ailments. For example, the Mayo Clinic is studying its relation to concussions. According to a report about a study tracking NAD levels in football players, “NAD is essential for cellular health and energy conversion, and lower levels of the vital enzyme are associated with concussions as the brains taps its supplies to deal with them.”
Researchers are also studying NAD+ levels in relation to substance abuse. It has been determined that the excessive use of drugs and alcohol can deplete the body’s natural stores of NAD+, so reintroducing the enzyme may prove helpful for recovery. Additionally, addiction clinics have been studying the use of NAD+ therapy to aid the cessation of anti-depressants.
NAD+ is also being assessed for its ability to treat people afflicted with Traumatic Brain Injuries. A review by Clinical Pharmacology & Biopharmaceutics concluded that “there is considerable potential for the use of nicotinamide (activated NAD+) to treat TBI and stroke.”
NAD+ TREATMENT
There are several ways to maintain and improve NAD+ levels. Lifestyle interventions like a healthy diet (with a focus on amino acids) and exercise are the best place to start. However, oral NAD+ and IV NAD+ have been found to demonstrate the most profound results. Patients receiving these treatments have appreciated improved energy, mental clarity, and boosted moods.
I have found that IV NAD+ treatment, which provides the highest therapeutic levels, is the most effective. It is produced in a compounding pharmacy and is simply introduced into your system via an IV in the office.
If you’re interested in learning more about NAD+ - here are a few great resources:
This Joe Rogan podcast features David Sinclair, Ph.D., A.O., a Professor in the Department of Genetics and co-director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging at Harvard Medical School. Joe and Dr. Sinclair discuss aging including the benefits of NAD+.
Dr. SInclair features further information on NAD+ in this Harvard Medical School report. Specifically, he discusses his study of “the mechanisms by which the NAD+ level affects DNA repair and looks for therapeutic targets to improve this process.” More specifically, they focus on “delineating the biology of NAD+-depleting and producing enzymes as direct tools to control the NAD+ level in the cells toward increased health span and improved physiological resilience.”
Aging should not be synonymous with decreased vitality. I practice functional and regenerative medicine because I want to help my patients perform better, think faster, and live healthier at any age. And I believe NAD+ can be a powerful tool that empowers people to maintain their freedom as they age.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS - JUST GIVE THE OFFICE A CALL AT 425-598-0607.
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