Do you often feel tired? It’s not a trick question; most people feel a bit sleepy from time to time, but here, we’re talking about real tiredness. Like you just don’t have the energy to do the task that’s sitting in front of you. It’s annoying at best and seriously unproductive at worst. Yet, in many cases, there’s a deeper meaning behind it all. This also means there are solutions, and understanding what NAD is, could be the answer.
Yet, before we get there, have you heard of a cellular energy crisis?
Maybe not, so let’s dig a little deeper.
Basically, when your cells don’t produce or even maintain enough energy to do their jobs; several things happen. First, you feel fatigued, sometimes very much so. But there’s other things too, such as muscle weakness, headaches, brain fog, or feeling like you just can’t do much.
There are many reasons why this might happen, but one is because your NAD levels are low.
Now, don’t panic. This happens naturally as we age, but it’s not something to simply accept. Just as we can supplement many things in life, we can also supplement with NAD therapy.
In this guide, we’re going to talk about what you can do to counteract a cellular energy crisis that threatens to throw your day right off course. We’ll also give plenty of information about how Enovone can help turn the situation around, giving you more energy and far less brain fog.
Table of Contents
TL;DR
- Modern lifestyle factors create a perfect storm of reduced NAD that goes far beyond normal aging. This makes therapeutic intervention necessary rather than optional.
- Oral NAD faces significant bioavailability challenges, with most supplements failing to reach sufficient levels to notice a difference.
- Innovative delivery methods including subcutaneous injections, nasal sprays, and transdermal treatments. These offer a more convenient approach to traditional IV infusions.
- Genetic polymorphisms in NAD metabolism pathways determine your individual requirements and response to different approaches. Everyone is different!
- Long-term NAD therapy requires sophisticated cycling protocols to prevent cellular tolerance and maintain effectiveness.
The Cellular Energy Crisis: What’s it All About?
Before we jump into a biology lesson, let’s first talk about what NAD is. Its full name is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, yet you’ll see it shortened to NAD or NAD+ in most cases. It’s a small molecule that’s present in every living cell and its main job is to turn food into energy. It does this by making something called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which turns into the cell’s main energy source. Think of it like a battery for your cells and you won’t be far wrong.
The problem is that NAD depletes as we age, and because of our lifestyles. For instance, things like blue light exposure, environmental toxins, and chronic inflammation all hijack our NAD levels and cause us to feel less than our best selves. And life’s too short for that, right?
But, before we start talking about NAD therapy and what it entails, it’s useful to understand more. After all, it’s your body.
Let’s dive in.
NAD therapy helps boost cellular function and boosts ATP production.
The Depletion Cascade: How Modern Life Sabotages NAD Production
We’ve mentioned that over time, NAD levels naturally decline, but let’s explore more about the things that cause this to happen a little earlier than expected. There are many things in your local environment that don’t combine well with NAD. Basically, these things love to attack your NAD levels, leading to cellular overload and energy reduction.
One problematic thing is blue light. When you use your phone, tablet, or laptop, you’re exposed to blue light. While its effects aren’t generally noticeable, it’s sneaking in there. Blue light exposure disrupts the NAD synthesis process. But there’s more – chronic inflammation. Our modern lifestyles often lead to increased inflammation and that causes a world of problems when left unchecked. By mentioning it here, it’s unsurprising that it affects NAD production too.
The biggest issue is that the disruption happens faster than your body can replenish its natural NAD stores. The answer? NAD therapy to put back what’s lost.
Check out the table below for a bit more information on what is so troubling for NAD and what it does.
NAD Depletion Factor | Mechanism of Action | Severity Level | Recovery Time Without Intervention |
Blue Light Exposure | CLOCK gene disruption | High | 6-12 weeks |
Chronic Inflammation | PARP enzyme activation | Very High | 3-6 months |
Environmental Toxins | Detox pathway overload | Moderate | 4-8 weeks |
Sleep Disruption | Circadian rhythm interference | High | 8-16 weeks |
Processed Foods | Metabolic pathway stress | Moderate | 2-4 weeks |
The Circadian Disruption Factor
You’ve no doubt heard of the body clock, but its scientific name is the circadian rhythm. Within this, we have CLOCK genes, which help to control your body clock and keep it in check. When CLOCK genes are disrupted, it can drastically affect sleep, leaving you feeling less than rested the next morning.
Of course, there’s lots of things you can do to try and restore circadian rhythm, but none of them affect NAD production. No matter how many times you fluff your pillow, set an ambient temperature in your bedroom, or remove the TV, your NAD levels won’t change. That’s when you need to think about replacing what’s been lost through NAD therapy.
The Inflammatory Load Multiplier
We mentioned chronic inflammation a little earlier, but what causes that? Well, there are many medical reasons, but there are also some sneaky things we don’t often think about. Factors like processed foods, stress, and environmental toxins all lead to increased inflammation that plays havoc on your body. It also depletes your NAD levels.
The Bioavailability Paradox: Why Oral NAD Often Falls Short
The supplement industry is certainly booming, and it seems like there’s a tablet for everything. Yet with NAD, the oral route isn’t the best way forward. One of the main benefits of NAD therapy via NAD+ injection, IV infusion, topical application, or nasal sprays is that it gets to work quickly. With oral means, it’s a lot slower and doesn’t have the same effect.
You might be wondering why, so let’s explore this a little more.
The First-Pass Metabolism Bottleneck
Oral NAD treatment faces a few hurdles on its way, including first-pass in the liver. This means when the substance meets the liver and it starts to be broken down by the organ. At this point, it loses some of its potency because competing enzymes can divert the compound away from where it’s supposed to go. It effectively causes a bottleneck, reducing the benefits of NAD for some people.
Of course everyone is different, but in general, even high doses of oral NAD therapy can miss the mark.
The Tissue-Specific Uptake Challenge
The human body is a complicated beast, and different tissues take on NAD therapy much faster than others. The problem with oral supplementation is that it might not reach the tissues that need it the most. For instance, brain and muscle tissues are often slow to react to oral NAD supplementation.
The Therapeutic Window: When NAD Therapy Becomes Medically Necessary
Whether you’re considering NAD for energy, brain fog, or another symptom, it’s important to know the point at which it’s the most necessary. There comes a time when lifestyle changes may not do anything anymore, and that’s the time to consider NAD therapy.
The Metabolic Flexibility Assessment
If you notice a loss of metabolic flexibility, it says your NAD levels are depleted. You’re probably asking what that means and how it feels.
Basically, metabolic flexibility is your body’s ability to switch between burning either carbs or fat for energy depending on the circumstances. When it can’t do that very well, you might notice weight gain, low energy, and problems with controlling your blood sugar. This manifests as energy crashes between your meals, trouble exercising or recovering afterwards, and generally feeling quite tired after you’ve eaten.
The Delivery Revolution: Beyond Traditional Administration Methods
We’ve talked about the fact that NAD treatment is available in several different administration methods. We also know that oral supplementation isn’t the most effective. So, what’s the alternative?
The benefits of NAD go far beyond increased energy, boosting longevity and vitality.
NAD Injections and IV Infusion
One of the most commonly used forms of NAD therapy is via injection. This can be either an at-home self-injection, or through an IV infusion.
There are differences between the two, and it’s important to consider each one carefully to fit your needs.
Subcutaneous injections, meaning the NAD is injected just under the skin, is a cost-effective and convenient approach. It’s normal to be a little nervous when starting on NAD injections; not everyone enjoys needles, let alone injecting themselves. However, it’s extremely easy. At Enovone, we offer a world of help and guidance here, including videos and support right from the start.
NAD treatment via injection is one of the fastest ways for it to absorb into your bloodstream. That means you’ll notice its effects much faster too.
On the other hand, IV infusion involves attending a clinic or health setting to have NAD slowly injected into your body over a period of a few hours. This is a more expensive option and it obviously takes more time.
Transdermal and Nasal Delivery Innovation
If needles aren’t for you, how about nasal spray or face cream? You might assume that because it’s not injected, NAD isn’t super-effective this way, but it’s surprising just how well it performs.
NAD nasal spray is administered through the nostrils and from there it absorbs quickly into the bloodstream, getting to work. The same situation applies to face cream, which absorbs through the skin and heads into your bloodstream.
The Personalization Imperative
At Enovone, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to NAD therapy. Why should there be? You’re unique, and your treatment plan should be the same!
That’s why we focus heavily on personalization. When you contact us to say that you’re keen on NAD treatment, we ask you to fill in a questionnaire. That will tell us if you are suitable for treatment or not. We’re all about your safety, after all.
If we decide you’re good to go ahead, we’ll refer you to one of our board-certified doctors who will then tailor your treatment to your specific needs. The reason this step is so important is because by doing that, you’ll get the greatest benefit targeted toward your aims.
Genetic Polymorphisms and NAD Metabolism
Let’s talk about genetic polymorphisms. It sounds complicated, doesn’t it? Well, it is but it’s easily explained.
There are different genetic variations in your enzymes and these are involved in NAD production and how it’s used by your body. This can determine your NAD requirements and your response. For instance, something called PARP gene variation can affect how well your DNA repairs itself. It also concerns itself with how fast NAD is consumed.
We can also talk about the NAMPT enzyme and how efficient that is. Different variations of this enzyme can cause jams in NAD recycling, and that requires its own treatment strategy.
These situations vary from person to person, and tailoring your NAD treatment means you’ll overcome bottlenecks and get the greatest benefit.
To expand your understanding, see the table below. This all goes a long way to explaining why there can never be a standard NAD regimen, and why it needs to be tailored to you only.
Genetic Variant | Impact on NAD Metabolism | Recommended Therapy Approach | Dosage Adjustment |
PARP1 High Activity | 200-400% increased consumption | Direct NAD + antioxidants | 3-5x standard dose |
NAMPT Low Efficiency | 40-60% reduced recycling | Bypass precursors, direct NAD | 2-3x standard dose |
NRK1/2 Variants | Impaired precursor conversion | Alternative delivery methods | Route modification |
SIRT1 Polymorphisms | Altered cellular response | Timing optimization | Schedule adjustment |
The Resistance Phenomenon: Understanding and Overcoming NAD Therapy Plateaus
If you’ve ever been on a weight loss plan, or simply tried to lose a few pounds in general, you’ll understand the concept of a plateau. This is where everything you’re trying to do just stops. It’s annoying. It’s all going so well, you’re noticing the benefits of NAD treatment, and then nothing. You don’t feel any different.
Don’t panic or assume it’s not working. What you’re experiencing is actually very normal.
When you’ve been using NAD therapy for a long time, cells adapt and it can give less effects than before. It doesn’t mean there’s no hope; it just means you need to switch up your strategy a little. At this point, one of our doctors will be able to help with reaching a new regimen arrangement, kick-starting the effects once more.
It might mean strategically cycling your NAD treatment, or using sensitization protocols to prevent tolerance. It varies from person to person, and that’s why we’re all about personalizing your plan.
Let’s dig into these strategies a little more.
Cellular Tolerance Mechanisms
We’ve talked about the fact that when you’re using NAD therapy for a long time, your body gets used to it and stops responding quite so enthusiastically. Yes, it’s irritating, but that’s biology!
What is actually happening is a homeostatic response. In this, your cells stop regulating their own production pathways quite so much. This is because they’re dependent on the NAD you’re providing via nasal spray, cream, or injection. At this point, it’s just about giving your cells a bit of a shake; reminding them of their jobs. Strategies include taking a therapy break, or using sensitization protocols.
Receptor Sensitivity Modulation
When we mention sensitization protocols, we’re talking about adjusting the dose or timing of your NAD therapy. This is one way to maintain the benefits of NAD over the long-term. Structured cycling under your doctor’s guidance is one suggestion here. This can help prevent tolerance and keep your cells responding how they should.
Enzymatic Pathway Adaptation
When you increase availability of NAD, your body’s NAD-consuming enzymes upregulate. The problem here is that it starts a pattern where you’ll need a higher dose to maintain the benefits you’ve noticed so far. This is obviously not what you want. However, cycling is one way to prevent that.
Strategic Cycling and Sensitization Protocols
We’ve talked about cycling, so what exactly is this?
First things first – remember to always consult your doctor before changing your dose or regimen. We’re always available to answer your questions and advise on your NAD treatment, so remember to reach out if you have any concerns!
However, to prevent tolerance, cycling strategies often become necessary, helping to preserve your natural NAD production abilities. There are a few ways to do this, and we’ll explore those in this section.
Pulsed Therapy Architectures
The first option is called pulsed therapy. This means alternating between high-intensity therapy for a period of time, followed by a recovery phase. This helps to maintain the long-term benefits of NAD, while also ensuring that your natural cellular activity adapts in kind.
While you should discuss cycling with your doctor, the checklist below gives some useful hints on how it works and what they may advise.
NAD Therapy Cycling Protocol Checklist:
- ☐ Establish baseline NAD levels before starting therapy
- ☐ Monitor biomarkers every 2 weeks during active phases
- ☐ Implement 6-8 week high-intensity periods
- ☐ Schedule 2-4 week recovery breaks
- ☐ Use endogenous NAD support during breaks
- ☐ Vary delivery methods between cycles
- ☐ Track receptor sensitivity markers
- ☐ Adjust dosing based on tolerance indicators
- ☐ Document energy and cognitive responses
- ☐ Plan long-term cycling calendar
Synergistic Compound Rotation
Another way to prevent NAD tolerance is to rotate between different NAD precursors and delivery methods. Yet, this isn’t always the most desired route for many. It’s likely that you’ll choose your NAD delivery method based on your preferences. For instance, you might not like needles, but there’s a nasal spray. Or perhaps you just find injections much more convenient.
Choosing your NAD delivery method is as unique as the person you are.
However, rotating between nasal, subcutaneous, and transdermal routes can help to prevent your body getting too used to a particular method. It can also help maintain therapeutic benefits longer.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what NAD treatment is helps unlock a world of benefits.
So, what is NAD therapy to you? Is it a way to get more energy? Reduce brain fog? Or do you have another benefit in mind? The truth is, every person is different, and every person’s reason for considering NAD therapy is also unique. And that’s okay!
The most important thing is to learn as much about it as possible so you can make an informed decision about your health.
In a world full of supplements, lotions, and potions, it’s clear that NAD treatment stands out. It’s not just treatment specific symptoms that are troubling you. It’s also about supporting your long-term health and overall longevity. Yet, it’s not a simple route forward; it involves learning about your body, listening to it, and following a route that feels comfortable. Of course, this is all done with a highly experienced doctor behind the scenes.
At Enovone, we know you are an individual who deserves a personalized approach. You might not respond to the same treatment plan as your neighbor, and they’ll probably respond completely differently to their friend. We’re all so different, and that’s what makes us wonderful, including how our bodies work underneath our skin. Boosting your cellular energy levels takes time and effort, but it’s more than worth it!
Maybe you’ve heard about NAD from someone you know, or perhaps you’ve only just learned about it today. Either way, your next step is easy. Reach out to us and learn even more. Our treatments are safe, convenient, and cost-effective. Our single aim is to help you feel like the very best version of yourself. After all, you deserve to sparkle!