Recently, NAD has become a buzzword in the wellness space, often referring to supplementation delivered in a variety of forms \u2014 IVs, injections, oral tablets, and more.<\/p>\n
How NAD \u201cWorks\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNAD+ is what fuels our cells to produce energy,\u201d explains Chloe Bates, clinical team lead at Pause Studio<\/a>, a wellness studio in Nashville. \u201cWe were taught in middle school science that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell because they produce ATP, which powers our cells and gives us energy.\u201d<\/p>\n NADH acts as a carrier, feeding the mitochondria to generate ATP \u2014 the \u201cenergy currency\u201d of the cell. The body constantly converts one form of NAD to another<\/a> as part of normal metabolism. <\/p>\n NAD\u2019s Three Primary Functions<\/p>\n Energy production<\/p>\n Nutrients from food\u00a0are broken down and fed into your mitochondria.<\/p>\n NAD picks up high\u2011energy electrons from this process (as NADH) and delivers them to the \u201cpower chain\u201d that makes ATP, your main energy molecule.<\/p>\n Repair and maintenance<\/p>\n Some enzymes that repair DNA or help control inflammation and stress responses need NAD\u207a to work.<\/p>\n As we age or when we\u2019re under stress, we may burn through more NAD\u207a on repair work.<\/p>\n Cellular communication<\/p>\n NAD and its breakdown products act as signals, instructing cells on how to respond to stress, damage, and metabolic changes.<\/p>\n When NAD Levels Are Supported<\/p>\n \u201cWhen NAD levels are properly supported, clients notice greater energy levels and enhanced mental clarity and focus,\u201d explains Chloe of Pause Studio. \u201cNAD is also supportive in anti-aging. It aids in repairing damaged DNA caused by environmental stressors like UV light and increases collagen, elastin, and keratin production \u2014 promoting firmer skin.\u201d<\/p>\n When NAD Levels Decline<\/p>\n Without enough NAD, your cells can\u2019t make energy efficiently or keep up with any repairs needed. As we age, NAD levels tend to fall, and this drop has been linked to tired cells and age\u2011related diseases. It\u2019s no wonder older adults \u2014 and younger people anxious about aging \u2014 are asking about NAD.<\/p>\n \u201cNAD levels naturally begin to decline around age 30, and lifestyle factors such as poor diet, insufficient sleep, and high stress can accelerate that decline. Lower levels can contribute to fatigue, brain fog, slower recovery, and reduced overall resilience,\u201d says Chloe.<\/p>\n We are grateful to all our sponsors:<\/p>\n Melissa Rhodes, owner and Aesthetic NP-C at Ona Skincare<\/a> in Nashville, shares that supplementation with NAD is \u201c\u2026 less about stopping aging and more about supporting how well your body functions as you age. Think of it as helping your cells do their job better, not turning back the clock.\u201d<\/p>\n Melissa stresses that this isn\u2019t a first-line treatment, and she breaks the explanation down like this: <\/p>\n The most appropriate candidates tend to be:<\/p>\n Patients with persistent fatigue or burnout<\/a>, despite solid lifestyle habits<\/p>\n Those navigating perimenopause or midlife metabolic shifts<\/p>\n High-performing individuals feeling a decline in energy, focus, or recovery<\/p>\n Patients already engaged in a comprehensive wellness plan (nutrition, sleep, hormones)<\/p>\n And just as important, who is not an ideal candidate:<\/p>\n Someone looking for a quick fix without lifestyle changes<\/p>\n Patients who haven\u2019t addressed sleep, nutrition, or stress first<\/p>\n Patients with active cancer<\/a> or high risk for cancer\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf the foundation isn\u2019t there, NAD won\u2019t feel like the solution you\u2019re hoping for,\u201d adds Melissa. \u201cWe tend to recommend Niagen, which is an NAD precursor that helps your body produce its own NAD, rather than supplementing NAD, which can cause the body to decrease the production of its own.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Limitations and Cautions<\/p>\n Swallowing NAD (or its precursors) doesn\u2019t magically pour it into your cells, though. The molecule is large and electrically charged, making it difficult to transport across cell membranes. When taken orally, much of it is broken down first in the gut and bloodstream, so many practitioners deliver NAD through IVs or injections. And all agree that human studies around NAD so far have been small-scale or short-term.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very important for patients to understand the limitations of NAD,\u201d cautions Dr. Christopher Sizemore, OB-GYN and Chief Medical Officer for Nashville\u2019s Diana Health<\/a>. \u201cMost of the interest around NAD comes from animal and cellular studies. While the biology of how NAD works is exciting, we don\u2019t yet have strong evidence showing proven clinical outcomes in humans.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhile NAD is essential for cellular energy and declines with age, the evidence supporting supplementation is still emerging. I want patients to make informed decisions rather than assume these products are proven or risk-free,\u201d\u00a0says Heather Craig, Registered Dietitian and owner of HBC Nutrition<\/a>.<\/p>\n We are grateful to all our sponsors:<\/p>\n For some people, NAD treatment may even be dangerous, say Sasha Carroll, RN, and Tara Johnson, NP, peptide specialists at Level Wellness Franklin<\/a>. \u201cContraindications of NAD treatment include active or recent cancer, autoimmune disease, kidney disease, and liver disease \u2026 It is not recommended for those with cancer and these diagnoses due to it acting as a fuel for cellular metabolism and energy production, which can inadvertently accelerate growth and survival of cancer cells.\u201d <\/p>\n Another important factor is the quality and source of your supplements.<\/p>\n \u201cNot all NAD-related products or peptides are created equally. Where they are manufactured, how they are compounded, and whether they are properly tested for purity and sterility matter significantly,\u201d explains Sierra Waine, founder of Society Wellness and Skin Spa<\/a> in Birmingham. <\/p>\n \u201cIn a space that is growing quickly, there can be a wide range in quality, and patients are not always aware of that,\u201d she adds. \u201cI would urge people not to order these things online or from their sister\u2019s friend, who orders them from some unknown source.\u201d<\/p>\n Try the Basics First<\/p>\n While the jury is still out on NAD, every practitioner we spoke to agreed that supporting NAD levels comes down to lifestyle rather than supplementation. Things like \u201cprioritizing consistent, high-quality sleep, eating a balanced diet, staying active, and managing stress,\u201d says Chloe of Pause Studio.<\/p>\n If you notice that, despite prioritizing these lifestyle interventions and getting your annual blood tests and checkups done, you still don\u2019t have the energy you used to, then NAD+ intramuscular or intravenous supplementation may be a good option to discuss with your healthcare providers. <\/p>\n \u201cI encourage patients to consider a monitored short trial of NAD if the other proven interventions are not achieving the desired results,\u201d says Dr. Sizemore.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything should be used thoughtfully, and in moderation alongside medical care, so labs and medical history by a provider remain important,\u201d adds Melissa of Ona Skincare. \u201cThe science around NAD is exciting \u2026 but we\u2019re still in the early stages regarding large-scale human outcomes. Some patients report improved energy, mental clarity, or recovery, but responses vary. We don\u2019t position this as a cure or a guarantee; it\u2019s one tool in a bigger strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n The Bottom Line<\/p>\n Experts say that NAD supplementation is not a universal fix and that more human clinical studies are needed. However, it works for some people and may be worth trying if your symptoms and lifestyle align with the criteria mentioned above. <\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sb-woman-in-doctors-office-iStock-1316521157-900x601.jpg\"\/ "\\"What")
PinIf you\u2019re already engaged in a comprehensive wellness plan that includes sleep, nutrition, and hormone support, and your energy levels are STILL low, NAD is an option your healthcare provider may suggest trying. Image: iStock<\/a><\/p>\n