What Is NAD+ Therapy and Why Are People Talking About It?

Written by Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C — Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Elevate Health and Wellness, serving patients across the Gulf Coast in Gautier, MS and Foley, AL.

What Is NAD+?

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every living cell. It plays a central role in cellular energy production, DNA repair, gene expression, and the regulation of circadian rhythms. Without adequate NAD+, your cells cannot produce energy efficiently — and that inefficiency affects virtually every system in your body.

Here's the problem: NAD+ levels decline naturally with age. Research published in Cell Metabolism shows that NAD+ levels drop by approximately 50% between young adulthood and middle age. This decline is now understood to be one of the key cellular drivers of the aging process — and a contributing factor to fatigue, cognitive decline, and reduced cellular repair capacity.

What Does NAD+ Therapy Support?

NAD+ therapy involves replenishing the body's declining NAD+ levels through injection or IV infusion. Clinical and preclinical research supports its role in enhancing mitochondrial function, supporting DNA repair mechanisms, improving cognitive clarity and mental focus, reducing cellular inflammation, and supporting neurological recovery. It is important to note that NAD+ therapy is a supportive metabolic intervention — not a cure or treatment for specific diseases.

What the Research Shows

Research from the National Institutes of Health and publications in journals including Nature, Science, and Cell Metabolism have established NAD+ as a critical regulator of longevity pathways including sirtuins and PARPs. Early human clinical trials have shown promising results for cognitive support, energy restoration, and addiction recovery. The field is evolving rapidly and larger human trials are ongoing.

Who May Benefit at Elevate?

Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C evaluates each patient individually before recommending NAD+ therapy. Patients who most commonly benefit include those experiencing significant brain fog or cognitive decline, individuals in recovery from addiction or neurological stress, patients with chronic fatigue that has not responded to other interventions, and those seeking support for healthy aging and cellular optimization.

Interested in NAD+ therapy? Visit our Peptide Therapy and NAD+ page to learn more and schedule your consultation.

Sources: Cell Metabolism. NAD+ Decline with Aging. cell.com. | NIH. NAD+ in Aging and Disease. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. | Nature. NAD+ Metabolism. nature.com.

This article is written by Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of Elevate Health and Wellness. Information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalized care.