History of NAD+

What is NAD+?

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) is a molecule found in all living cells. NAD exists in two forms: NAD+ and NADH. NAD+ is the more reactive form of NAD. NAD+ often reduces to NADH during a variety of different biochemical reactions. NAD+ plays a key role in countless biological processes, not only within individual cells, but also between cells to aid cell-to-cell communication. In addition, NAD plays an absolutely vital role in metabolism for every living organism.

History of NAD+

NAD+ was first documented by two British biochemists in 1906 while researching alcohol fermentation. The many biological functions of NAD+ were continually uncovered over the next century. In recent decades, NAD+ has been researched within a medical context, which has led to the recognition of NAD+ IV therapy. Much is known about NAD+, however scientists are still learning more about its role in the brain, some claiming that NAD+ may be a novel neurotransmitter (See Mutafova-Yambolieva et al.; Hwang et al.; and, Yamboliev et al.).

NAD+ IV Infusions

Paula Norris Mestayer pioneered and popularized the therapeutic use of intravenous infusions of NAD+ in the United States. As of now, Mestayer has been administering NAD+ infusions for more than 20 years and consistently advocates for the medical and therapeutic benefits of her practice. She first began administering NAD+ infusions as a treatment for addiction, after seeing miraculous results with members of her own family. Through this, Mestayer helped many people overcome addiction, however, over time, she found that NAD+ infusions were also able to effectively treat a variety of mental health conditions and neurodegenerative diseases. Thanks to Mestayer’s decades of work, many are now aware of the therapeutic effects of NAD+.

Potential Benefits of NAD+ Infusions

• Anti-Aging Effects (Reduced Symptoms of Aging)

  • Improved Mitochondrial Functioning

  • Promotes Cell Growth

  • Increased Energy

  • Reduces Inflammation

  • Aids Metabolism

  • Prolongs Lifespan

• Treatment for Age-Related and Neurodegenerative Diseases

  • Parkinson’s Disease

  • Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Multiple Sclerosis

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

  • Mitochondrial Dysfunction

• Treatment for Mental Health Disorders

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • PTSD

  • Chronic Stress

  • Chronic Fatigue

• Addiction Treatment

  • Minimizes Withdrawal Symptoms and Cravings

  • Improves Physical and Mental Health

Scholarly Articles used to publish this article on NAD+ Therapy

NAD+ Therapy in Age-related Degenerative Disorders: a Benefit/Risk Analysis. Meta-analysis of 147 articles regarding NAD+ and aging/neurodegenerative disorders found that NAD+ therapy is an effective treatment for many age-related disorders associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired mitochondrial function. More research is needed to determine long-term efficacy and toxicity.

Declining NAD+ Induces a Pseudohypoxic State Disrupting Nuclear-Mitochondrial Communication During Aging. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a symptom of aging. The researchers observed mitochondrial dysfunction as a result of decreased nuclear NAD+. The researchers also found that raising NAD+ levels in old mice resulted in dramatically improved mitochondrial activity, like that of a young mouse.

NAD+ in Aging, Metabolism, and Neurodegeneration. NAD+ concentrations change during aging. Modulation of NAD+ concentrations can improve health and increase lifespan. Supplementation of NAD+ and related precursors may be an effective treatment for age-related and neurodegenerative disorders.

A Case of Parkinson’s Disease Symptom Reduction with Intravenous NAD+. Two factors that contribute to cell death related to Parkinson’s disease are improper cellular metabolism and impaired mitochondrial functionality. NAD+ plays an integral role in both cellular metabolism and mitochondrial functionality. The researchers documented a man with Parkinson’s disease during 8 consecutive NAD+ IV infusions. By the end of treatment, the patient was nearly asymptomatic; hand tremors and visual hallucinations greatly decreased. With NAD+ aftercare, the patient was able to completely stop taking Parkinson’s-related medications.

NAD+ in COVID-19 and Viral Infections. NAD+ has been documented to have antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects in mice and humans. NAD+ concentrations are lower in older individuals and in COVID-19 patients, when compared with healthy individuals. Drugs related to NAD+ activity may have desirable antiviral and/or anti-inflammatory properties, which may be used to treat patients with COVID-19.

A Pilot Study Investigating Changes in the Human Plasma and Urine NAD+ Metabolome During a 6 Hour Intravenous Infusion of NAD+. Previous research has suggested NAD+ infusions can help with neurodegenerative conditions and the aging process, but no research has investigated how NAD+ infusions actually affect levels of NAD+ in the body. The researchers measured concentrations of NAD+ in plasma and urine over the course of a 6 hour infusion. The researchers found that NAD+ concentrations in plasma were not higher than normal until 2 hours into the infusion; NAD+ concentrations in urine were not higher than normal until 6 hours into the infusion. These results suggest that NAD+ infusions are fully bioavailable for the first two hours.

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