Who actually is into needles, anyway? Some don’t mind it, but some seriously can’t handle a poke, let alone an IV infusion.
While intravenous delivery is obviously the most effective method (we mean—hello—can’t get more direct than into a vein), there are other ways to get NAD+ into our system. And at a lower price tag!
You may be thinking, “Patches, really?” They’re basically just stickers, right?
Well, the organ that is your skin is quite the functional barrier, even for a transformative substance that’s hard to get through your diet—namely, NAD+. We spoke with Interventional and Anti-aging Functional Medicine Specialist and founder of Regen Doctors Dr. Gene Levinstein for some hot intel on this magic cofactor residing in all living cells.
“NAD+ is required for energy production through the metabolism. It helps turn nutrients into energy,” Dr. L begins.
“Without it, life simply would cease to exist. It is a crucial molecule involved in fundamental biological processes like metabolism, cell signaling, cellular energy production, aging, and DNA repair.”
But just like all good things (seemingly), NAD+ decreases with age. This leads to DNA damage, age-related diseases, decreased energy, and lots of other early signs. Thus, by boosting your levels of NAD+, you can slow down the aging process. The reason IV infusions have become so popular for this particular compound is that, unfortunately, pills appear to have very poor absorption rates.
Say hello to transdermal patches.
Dr. L let us know that, currently, NAD+ IV and patch therapy are the two most effective methods for delivering this essential cellular metabolism coenzyme.
He goes on to explain:
“A transcutaneous patch is a more convenient (stick on the patch, and go on about your day) and cost-effective option than IV infusion. It has few or no side effects and requires a minimal time commitment.”
It works by absorbing through the skin layers into the bloodstream. Patches can easily be self-administered at the recommended dosage of one to two times a week. For comfort, place them on areas with minimal hair (like the rib cage, upper arm, or lower back). On average, they can be worn for four or more hours.
Since this isn’t being injected directly into the veins, there are drawbacks that Dr. L breaks down below.
“One of the cons of NAD+ patch therapy is its slower absorption rate compared to IV infusion. Thus, it’s not the best option for a loading dose. Also, results aren’t immediate. You may not notice significant changes for a few weeks.”
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