IV NAD+ treatment in Edmonton

Our Clinic is a Leader in IV NAD+ in Edmonton

NAD+ is one of the most commonly administered IV treatments at our office

It's a powerhouse option for energy and mood

DNA repair, longevity and cognition are thought to be enhanced by NAD+ as well

NAD+ can be easily combined with other IVs like the Myers or Glutathione

TruMed makes it easy to access affordable NAD+ in Edmonton 

NAD+: cellular enhancement

Energy & Mood often improve with IV NAD+ Therapy.

We offer Edmonton Vitamin IVs, Drips & Nutrient Infusions.

The search is over - you've found us :)

NAD+ Basics

Our clinic can give both low dose and high dose NAD+ injections. 

We use NAD+ in doses from 250-2000mg.

Our Naturopathic Doctors have a ton of experience with NAD+. We've seen amazing results for fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, athletic performance as well as substance withdrawal in our Edmonton patients.  

NAD+ given intravenously over 3-12 hours can help curb withdrawal from alcohol and opioids.

Our Naturopathic Doctors also add in Vitamins (specifically B1, B3 and Vitamin C) to give even more robust benefits for alcohol withdrawal. We also infuse these NAD+ injections with a large volume of saline to allow for simultaneous rehydration in our Edmonton withdrawal patients.

The reason NAD+ is given IV is that it has poor oral bioavailability. Animal studies have shown that upon oral ingestion, NAD+ is broken down into nicotinamide primarily, but also NR (nicotinomide riboside) before being absorbed. 

NAD+ given over about an hour can provide a massive boost in energy.

We've seen many patients get a boost even before they leave the clinic.

A 2019 trial demonstrated that in the first two hours of a NAD+ IV, that it's rapidly taken up by cells - which is why some patients get an immediate energy boost. 

Typically, the older a client is, the more potential benefit to be had from NAD+ as levels of NAD+ naturally decline with age.

Of course our Naturopaths always do a robust fatigue workup in all our Edmonton patients - assessing Adrenal Health, Thyroid Health, Male Hormones and key energy producing nutrients.

NAD+ is a tool that can be helpful for some of the most stubborn cases of fatigue that were resistant to all other treatments. 

NAD+ has synergy with Hyperbaric Oxygen as the Oxygen provides additional substrate for Oxidative Phosphorylation which is NAD+H dependent. 

NAD+ Biochemistry

NAD+is synthesized via three major pathways, including the de novo (from scratch) kynurenine pathway pathway, the Preiss-Handler pathway, and the salvage pathway.  

Mammals have seven Sirtuins (SIRT1–7) which are found in different subcellular locations and Sirtuins require NAD+ as a cofactor.

SIRT1 is predominantly expressed in neurons. The activity of SIRT1, regulates diverse biological processes related to axonal integrity which catabolize NAD+ to Nicotinamide. 

Dietary uptake of NAD+ precursors, such as the niacin-derived nicotinic acid (NA), nicotinamide (NAM) and nicotinamide riboside (NR), which in mammals are converted into NAD+ through the salvage pathway so we can recommend oral intake of various NAD+ precursors to maintain NAD+ levels after IV NAD+ therapy. 

The kynurenine pathway: tryptophan is converted via two steps to the intermediate kynurenine, which can generate NAD+. 

The Preiss-Handler pathway synthesizes NAD+ from nicotinic acid (NA)

The NAD+ salvage pathway recycles nicotinamide (NAM) and Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) to NAD+.

NAD+ plays an essential role in glycolysis (glucose conversion to pyruvate). During cellular respiration NAD+ is reduced to NAD+H by the enzymes of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid/citric acid (TCA) cycle before being re-oxidized to NAD+ by cytochrome complexes in the mitochondria.

NAD+ (as NAD+H) is also involved in the electron transport chain as an electron donor which is Oxygen dependent and thus is synergistic with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. 

NAD+ can stimulate energy production by replenishing depleted cellular stores of ATP.

NAD+ is involved in serotonin production.

NAD+ as NAD+PH is involved in converting oxidized Glutathione (GSSG) back to reduced Glutathione (via Glutathione reductase). 

By providing NAD+ intravenously with IV therapy we provide additional substrate for ATP production and in some patients this can produce profound increases in energy. 

NAD+ and the Brain

At our clinic our Naturopathic doctors are interested in NAD+ and brain health in our Edmonton patients with neurological disease.

An age-dependent reduction of NAD+ levels in the human brain from healthy volunteers has been demonstrated. In mice, there was a nearly 40% decrease of NAD+ levels in the hippocampus in 10 to 12 month-old mice compared with 1month old mice. 

NAD+ augmentation restores mitochondrial function leading to enhanced neuronal survival and improved cognitive function in premature aging animal models.

Reduced NAD+ levels contribute to most, if not all, of the hallmarks of brain aging and evidence supports a critical role for NAD+ in stem cell rejuvenation and neurogenesis. 

NAD+ augmentation causes induction of autophagy/mitophagy and decreases the elevated levels of reactive oxygen species.

Furthermore, NAD+ plays a critical role in DNA repair through multiple pathways.

NAD+ Research

O’ Hollaren (1961) - Represents the first published data on NAD+ in addictive disorders - we found an article on alcoholism as well as an article on mixed drug use.

Pyridine Nucleotides in the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Problem Drinkers.

In the first article, Dr. O' Hollaren outlines how he used IV NAD+ - NAD+ was given Intravenously to chronic alcoholics in dosages ranging from 300 to 1000 mg.

"Dramatic improvement has followed the administration of Diphosphopyridine Nucleotides to patients suffering from acute and chronic alcoholism.

Evidence has shown that by proper administration in adequate dosage, the coenzyme greatly reduces, and in some cases completely removes the "craving for alcohol" which is responsible for alcohol addiction and which is so characteristic of this disease."

In the second article, Dr. Paul O’ Hollaren had utilized IV NAD+ for the treatment of over 104 cases of addiction to substances  including alcohol as well as heroin, opium, morphine, codeine, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates and tranquilizers.

"The author has successfully utilized [NAD+] in its oxidized form for prevention, alleviation and removal of the acute and chronic symptoms of drug addiction."

In his retrospective case series, IV NAD+ was administered at a dose of 500–1000 mg in 300 cc normal saline daily for 4 days, the as long as withdrawal had subsided, twice per week for a month, followed by a maintenance dose twice per month until addiction was terminated.

"Evidence strongly suggests that complete freedom from craving can be sustained by administration of the coenzyme (NAD+) at proper dosage and intervals."

Dr. William Hitt also expanded on the use of IV NAD+ in the 1990s for a wide range of substances.

Dr. Hitt used four to ten days of IV treatment, combined with an abrupt discontinuation of the substances in question. He used a combination of NAD+, B Vitamins, Vitamin C and amino acids administered over up to 8 hours.

Minimal withdrawal, rapid decrease in cravings, restored clarity, mood, mental function, with impressively low relapse rates.

In Dr. Hitt's research, IV NAD+ is less effective for tobacco and marijuana - which are arguably easier to cease than most other addictive substances anyway.

His findings were presented in 2008 - Significant reductions in cravings, stress, depression and anxiety suggested effectiveness in treating symptoms associated with acute withdrawal and negative affect.

Dr. Susan Broom presented the 2008 results as well as this 2014 study using Brain Restoration Plus (BR+NAD).

Intravenous Administration of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Significantly Reduces Self Report Craving Ratings Associated with Opiate and Alcohol Withdrawal - a pilot study looking at IV NAD+ in 60 patients. 

BR+NAD protocol was comprised of IV infusions of NAD+ as well as vitamins, oral amino acids, NAC and variable as needed medications for an average of 10 consecutive days ranging from 5 to 10 hours daily at a dose range of 500mg-1500mg each day.

Research Continued 

The authors concluded "BR+NAD effectively reduces the number of relapse episodes, as well as severity of drug cravings over a 12-20 month follow up period."

Further data from her group also supported a drop in cravings, and withdrawal.

Dr. Broom also studied IV NAD+ in cognition showing enhanced cognitive function using IV NAD+ over a six to ten day period.

A 2019 study from Grant demonstrated the fate of IV NAD+.

750mg of NAD+ was administered over 6 hours.

The results implied that initially there is rapid uptake of NAD+ when given intravenously.

Lastly, a 2022 study by Blum looked at IV NAD with multi-vitamins, glutathione, alpha lipoic acid and amino acids with regards to cravings.

D-phenylalanine, glycine, glutamine, and Myers cocktail infusions.

The study cohort consisted of highly addicted individuals previously resistant to standard treatment with a failed range of treatment attempts.  

Alcohol, Heroin and Methamphetamine were amongst the highest used.

Substances also included - Spray cans, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Crack, Marijuana and Opiates.

The protocol included ten infusions, given twice weekly over five weeks.

"The significant reductions in cravings, anxiety, and depression followed a linear trend."

NAD+ side effects

When given at a reasonable rate, NAD+ is well tolerated. However, rapid infusions (greater than 4mg/minute) of NAD+ for most patients causes nausea, headaches, chest pressure, and possibly diarrhea (although rare). 

The most common side effect of NAD+ is increased energy!

In 6 years of IV NAD+ administration we have not observed any laboratory abnormalities or toxicities secondary to NAD+.

NAD+ at TruMed 

NAD+ IV Dosing

For fatigue and anti-aging we use smaller doses (around 250-500mg) run over about an hour and support with other oral mitochondrial agents like nicotinamide riboside or NADH (least preferable).

Dosing of NR orally however does not appear to give the same boost we see in patients when NAD+ is given IV. 

IV NAD+ given after Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy would theoretically have an enhanced effect.

For fatigue our Naturopathic Doctors usually recommend an IV once weekly and the benefits tend to accrue and last longer and longer.

Another strategy is to front load the NAD+ - we can give 3-4 days of back to back NAD+ before discontinuing for 2-3 weeks.

For withdrawal patient are usually given 500-1000mg on their first day with descending doses on subsequent days for a total of 3-5 days.

NAD+ is usually given for alcohol or opioid withdrawal but clearly has utility in other substances.

Key nutrients for alcohol withdrawal are B1, B3 and Vitamin C.

Whereas Magnesium, B3 and Vitamin C are key nutrients in Opioid withdrawal alongside NAD+.  

Our Naturopaths usually don't run NAD+ IV Therapy any faster than 1 hour for every 250mg because some patients get fairly severe nausea if NAD+ is given too quickly.

For drug withdrawal, patients can schedule an IV to begin the day after they cease drug intake.

Best results for withdrawal are seen with IVs given 3-5 consecutive days.

Curious about NAD+?

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(780) 757-8378