NAD is a potent coenzyme derived from Vitamin B3 (niacin) that aids in the creation of energy required for healthy cell activity. When NAD levels go beyond a certain threshold, the body’s cells begin to malfunction. This is particularly detrimental to brain cells, which require a great deal of energy to operate optimally.
1. NAD+ Helps in Seizures.
It was demonstrated in a paper published in Brain Research that the levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in mice dramatically decrease during seizures and epileptogenesis. The hippocampus, which is connected to learning and memory, showed an increase in levels and activity of an enzyme that degrades NAD+ called CD38, which correlates with the drop in NAD+ levels. Furthermore, altered NAD+ and CD38 levels are associated to dysregulated calcium transmission, which is essential for brain cell excitability and may explain epileptogenesis. These findings suggest that CD38-induced cell calcium increase may be a significant damage-causing event in epilepsy and provide targets for building an effective therapeutic strategy.
2. NAD+ Can Help In Blood Circulation to Brain.
The brain’s many important functions need a constant blood flow. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) causes lesions in brain areas with fatty sheaths surrounding nerves termed white matter CCH-induced white matter lesions have been linked to age-related neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Treatment and prevention of CCH can help prevent cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Nanjing Medical University published a study in Frontiers in Neurology that proved that NAM therapy improves cognitive performance, decreases depressive-like behaviors, and preserves white matter integrity in CCH mice. If the NAM therapy for CCH can be translated to humans, it may be possible to delay or prevent the onset of age-related disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
3. NAD+ Lowers Risks Of Alzheimer’s.
Yu and colleagues from the University of Cambridge report in Cell Death & Disease that dietary supplementation with nicotinamide, a precursor to a molecule critical for metabolic health and aging known as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), suppressed neurodegeneration in a fly model of Alzheimer’s disease. Then, using data from the UK Biobank, the British study team demonstrated that the same effects were also observed in humans. Vitamin B supplementation — which contains nicotinamide — was associated with a decreased incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.
4. NAD+ Improves Cognitive functions.
Anomalies in energy metabolism have been linked to the onset of early AD (Alzheimer’s). In a recent study, 18 male mice were given 30 mg/kg NAD+ intraperitoneally every other day for 4 weeks. NAD+ supplementation alleviated cognitive decline symptoms in these animals and restored NAD+, SIRT1, ATP, and other metabolites levels.
5. NAD+ Reduces Parkinson’s Symptoms.
A study done for the improvement of Parkinson’s disease employing NADH as a new therapy in 34 individuals with Parkinson’s disease involved intravenous delivery of the coenzyme. All patients showed a clinically positive outcome. 21 patients (61.7%) exhibited very excellent (greater than 30%) improvement in disability, 13 patients (38.3%) moderate (up to 30%). The daily “on phases” of patients might be enhanced from 2 to 9 hours by administering NADH.
6. Intravenous Therapy Of NAD.
Some ways NAD IV treatment can improve brain health include:
- Restores Neurotransmitter Balance. Restoring optimal NAD levels decreases or eliminates cravings for addictive substances including alcohol, caffeine, and recreational drugs.
- Faster Recovery from Hangovers. NAD IV infusions rehydrate brain cells, improve brain function, and relieve hangover weariness and headaches.
- Increased Concentration. It enhances the metabolic energy supplied to brain cells, allowing for improved performance and longer attention.
- Improved Mood. Increasing NAD levels protects against daily stress-induced mental and emotional weariness.
- Greater Mental Clarity. Increasing NAD levels in brain cells have been proven to counteract some of the detrimental consequences of aging. Many patients equate NAD IV treatment to discovering the spring of youth and experiencing the improved mental performance.
