What if we told you there is a way to naturally boost your cognitive function, sleep quality, energy levels and skin health—all while reducing your risk for degenerative diseases? Restoring NAD⁺ levels in the body can do just that.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is found in every cell in your body, and while this coenzyme is naturally occurring, NAD⁺ levels naturally decrease as you age.
Because it plays a critical role in everything from energy production and DNA repair to the regulation of metabolic processes, the decrease in NAD⁺ over time can lead to symptoms like fatigue, accelerated signs of aging, cognitive impairment and even degenerative diseases.1
Luckily, simple lifestyle changes combined with NAD⁺ IV Therapy, NAD⁺ IM Shot Therapy, Niagen (NR) IV Drip or Niagen (NR) IM Shot Therapy at your local Restore studio can boost NAD⁺ levels in just a few weeks. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of NAD⁺ and natural ways to boost this critical coenzyme.
Why Do NAD⁺ Levels Decline
A drop in cellular NAD⁺ levels is a natural part of growing older.
According to Dr. Rachele Pojednic, Restore’s Chief Science Officer, NAD⁺ in skin cells can drop by 68% between the ages of 30-50. In the brain, NAD⁺ levels can also decline by up to 20% by the time you are 60 years old.
In most people, this process gets more pronounced when they are above the age of 40, but factors like stress, poor sleep, nutrient deficiencies and lifestyle habits can accelerate this decline.4
Natural Ways to Increase NAD⁺ Levels
Increasing your body’s NAD⁺ is not as complicated as you’d think and may provide a variety of lasting physical and mental benefits.
Higher NAD⁺ levels are known to help reduce the physical signs of aging and cognitive decline, provide natural mental health support, improve sleep quality and energy levels, reduce inflammation and the risk of degenerative diseases and even boost metabolism.1,2
You can naturally boost NAD⁺ levels by adopting healthy lifestyle practices, like regular physical activity and a balanced diet. Research suggests that being consistent can go a long way. Here’s how to incorporate them:
Exercise Regularly
Exercise can counteract the natural age-related decline in NAD⁺ levels.2
When you exercise, your body requires more NAD⁺ for energy, which signals it to jump-start the DNA-rebuilding proteins like AMPK and SIRT1 that it needs for recovery.2
This increased demand also activates the NAD⁺ salvage pathway, a recycling system that converts used NAD⁺ back into active NAD⁺. Regular exercise strengthens these pathways, helping the body maintain NAD⁺ levels in the muscles as you age.2
Prioritize Quality Sleep
Our sleep circadian rhythm is closely linked to NAD⁺.2,6
During the day, higher NAD⁺ levels support energy production to keep you alert and active. At night, lower levels shift the body into repair mode, allowing NAD⁺ dependent enzymes like SIRT1 to fix DNA damage and maintain cellular health.2 As such, NAD⁺ levels rise and fall in sync with the body’s internal clock, and sleep disruptions can affect NAD⁺ cycles as well.
Studies show that improved NAD⁺ levels can improve the quality of sleep in adults.6 Conversely, good quality sleep may also aid in maintaining optimal NAD⁺ levels.
Experts recommend aiming for at least seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Investing in quality bedding, blackout curtains or limiting caffeine can help you improve the quality of sleep.
Eat Foods That Support NAD⁺
Our body cannot produce NAD⁺ directly—it converts precursors like Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Nicotinamide, Nicotinamide Riboside and Amino Acids like Tryptophan into NAD⁺ through a series of internal chemical reactions.7 That’s why it’s important to add Vitamin B3–rich foods and protein sources to your diet to help elevate NAD⁺ levels.3
Several other minerals like Magnesium and Phosphate, are essential for facilitating these conversions.8 A deficiency in these may also affect NAD⁺ biosynthesis.
Here’s a handy guide to help you incorporate a variety of nutrient-rich foods that support healthy NAD⁺ levels:
Try Intermittent Fasting (Safely)
Fasting and calorie-restriction have been shown to activate NAD⁺ dependent enzymes like SIRT1.12 Enhancing these enzymes also stimulates the body to replenish and recycle NAD⁺, helping maintain its availability for energy production and cellular repair.2,12
You can avail the benefits of this with intermittent fasting without altering your food intake drastically. Start with a fasting window of 12-16 hours, working your way up only if your body allows. Stay well-hydrated and avoid overdoing it, as excessively long or frequent fasts can lead to fatigue, nutrient deficiencies or other health issues.
Manage Stress and Recovery
Chronic stress and physical exertion raise oxidative stress and inflammation, which can drain NAD⁺ stores and impair effective recovery. At Restore, we offer several science-backed therapies that can seamlessly integrate into your recovery plan:
- Cryotherapy: Whole Body Cryotherapy exposes the body to extremely cold temperatures for up to three minutes, triggering a natural anti-inflammatory response that reduces stress and enhances healing. Cold exposure may also activate NAD⁺ pathways in the liver, helping the body manage energy and fat metabolism naturally.5
- Infrared Sauna: These sessions involve using gentle heat to penetrate tissues. This promotes circulation, reduces inflammation, boosts metabolism and improves mood & sleep—all things that may contribute to optimal NAD⁺ levels.
- Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHbOT): mHbOT delivers enhanced oxygen in a pressurized chamber for better lung absorption. This can reduce inflammation, enhance tissue repair and improve energy & cognitive function. Many clients report benefits similar to those that you may feel with optimal NAD⁺ levels.
Maintain a Healthy Body Weight
A healthy body weight is closely linked with better metabolic health and optimal NAD⁺ and sirtuin levels.2,13
A study of identical twins found that the heavier twin tended to have lower levels of NAD⁺ and sirtuin-related genes in their fat tissue. These reductions were also associated with higher inflammation, insulin resistance and impaired mitochondrial function.13
WHO recommends maintaining a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 25 to reduce the prevalence of obesity disorders.
Better Ways to Boost NAD⁺
Lifestyle changes are great for maintaining NAD⁺ levels, but as you age, you might need an extra boost to see benefits like improved energy levels and radiant skin. Restore’s NAD⁺ Therapies can save the day.
NAD⁺ IV Drip Therapy
With NAD⁺ IV Therapy, an active form of NAD⁺ is injected directly into the bloodstream through an IV inserted into your vein by our onsite Nurse. Intravenous Therapy is directly absorbed into the bloodstream, making it more effective than oral ingestion.
NAD⁺ IM Shot
NAD⁺ can also be injected directly into your gluteal muscle in the form of an NAD⁺ IM Shot, which can be done in a fraction of the time of an IV Drip. The best part? Each NAD+ IM Shot includes a complimentary Cryotherapy prep session, providing you with bonus recovery benefits in under 15 minutes.
NR Add-Ons
Already getting IV Drip Therapy for hydration, immunity or other health benefits from our IV Drip Menu? You can add 125 mg of Niagen (NR) or NAD⁺ to any Restore IV as an optional boost for extra glowing skin and improved energy levels.
Niagen (NR): The Best Way to Boost NAD⁺
Niagen (NR) is an even better way to boost NAD⁺ levels in the body.
As a natural precursor to NAD⁺, it is easily absorbed by the body and utilized better than NAD⁺ alone. It has been shown to increase NAD⁺ levels by about 20% within three hours.
When converted into NAD⁺, this powerful, pharmaceutical-grade form of Nicotinamide Riboside can accelerate various cellular processes—everything from metabolism, energy, cognitive function, muscle recovery, physical performance and cardiovascular health. After sessions, many clients report having reduced inflammation and fatigue with enhanced mental clarity.
For those looking for the benefits in a fraction of the time, Restore offers Niagen IM Shots, a faster way to experience all the benefits that boosting NAD⁺ levels may provide.
From simple lifestyle practices to science-backed therapies like NAD⁺ or Niagen (NR) IV Drip Therapy, it’s never been easier to increase your NAD⁺ levels—and as a result, your overall health and wellness. Ready to feel the benefits?
Book your next appointment today!
FAQs
What are the symptoms of low NAD⁺ levels?
Due to its role in energy regulation and cellular repair, low levels of NAD⁺ can show up as fatigue, slower recovery, brain fog or reduced performance. Signs of premature aging or dull skin can also suggest that you need a boost in NAD⁺ levels.
Can I get enough NAD⁺ from food alone?
Protein-rich foods can help you maintain NAD⁺ levels, but may not suffice in combating the effects of NAD⁺ decline due to age. This, combined with life stressors, can necessitate an additional boost through NAD⁺ Therapies.
How often should I get NAD⁺ Therapy?
Most people can receive up to 3000mg of NAD⁺ monthly. However, it’s recommended to start with a loading dose within seven days before a maintenance dose. The right schedule depends on your goals, lifestyle and how your body responds. Consult our Nurse Practitioners to get personalized advice.
Does Restore’s NAD⁺ Therapy replace natural methods?
Restore Therapies are designed to help you do what you love more with improved performance and recovery—they are not a replacement for healthy lifestyle practices. NAD⁺ Therapy seamlessly complements the natural ways we have discussed here, and we recommend using these methods together for the best results.
Is NAD⁺ IV/IM Therapy safe for everyone?
NAD⁺ Therapy is generally well-tolerated by most adults with minimal side effects. At Restore, children are not eligible for this service. Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding or managing certain medical conditions are required to be evaluated by Restore’s medical team before starting the therapy.
Medical services are provided by an independently-owned physician practice. Some services may require medical clearance and a prescription. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Services, therapies, nutrients and prices may vary per location. The content on our site, blog posts, educational materials, app, promotional newsletters, and any other written content is not intended to replace an evaluation with a qualified healthcare professional and is not intended as medical advice.
