NAD+ Infusions – How Useful Are They Really? And Why NMN May Be a Better Alternative
A longevity trend in Hollywood and science
More and more Hollywood stars, biohackers, and health experts are turning to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) to boost energy, slow cell aging, and optimize health. NAD+ infusions are particularly popular and are offered in exclusive longevity clinics for several hundred to thousands of euros per session.
But how effective are these infusions really? And is there perhaps a better, more practical alternative? The answer may lie in NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) – a natural precursor to NAD+ that has been scientifically proven to enable a sustainable and long-term increase in NAD+ levels.
Why is NAD+ so important for the body?
NAD+ is an essential coenzyme found in every cell and plays a key role in many vital processes:
🔹 Energy production: NAD+ is essential for cellular respiration in the mitochondria—the "powerhouses" of cells. Without NAD+, the body cannot produce ATP (energy).
🔹 DNA repair: It activates enzymes such as sirtuins, which repair damaged DNA and thus slow down cell aging.
🔹 Anti-inflammatory & cell protection: NAD+ helps reduce oxidative stress and fight chronic inflammation.
🔹 Longevity & Anti-Aging: Studies show that higher NAD+ levels are associated with better cellular health and a longer, more vital life.
The problem? With age, NAD+ levels drop dramatically—by as much as 50% in middle age. This contributes to cellular aging, energy loss, and age-related diseases.
NAD+ infusions: Do they really work?
NAD+ infusions are designed to help offset this natural decline by delivering NAD+ directly into the bloodstream. Clinics often offer these infusions as an "energy booster" or "anti-aging drip" —with prices ranging from €300 to €1,000 per session .
But there are some critical points:
❌ Short-term effect: Intravenous NAD+ can raise blood levels in the short term, but this effect only lasts a few hours or days.
❌ Not always optimally bioavailable: Studies show that NAD+ as a molecule may not reach the cells efficiently where it is actually needed.
❌ High costs & time expenditure: Regular infusions are expensive and require doctor visits or hospital stays.
A study by Grant et al. (2019) investigated the effects of intravenously administered NAD+ and found that although an increase in blood NAD+ levels was measurable, it remained unclear how effectively this increase actually improved cellular health ( R ).
NMN – The scientifically proven alternative to NAD+ infusions
Instead of undergoing regular, expensive infusions, there is a much more practical solution: NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide).
Why is NMN the better choice?
✅ Effective, sustainable increase in NAD+ levels: In contrast to direct NAD+ infusions , NMN is efficiently converted into NAD+ in the cells .
✅ Long-term effect: While an infusion only helps for a short time, the effect of NMN lasts continuously as long as it is taken regularly.
✅ Easy to use: No clinic visit, no needles – simply take as powder or capsules.
✅ Cost-effective: One month of NMN costs only a fraction of a single NAD+ infusion.
Scientific studies on NMN
📖 Yoshino et al. (2011): Showed that NMN can increase NAD+ levels in cells and improve mitochondrial function.
📖 Mills et al. (2016): Studies in mice showed that NMN prevents age-related metabolic decline and improves insulin sensitivity.
📖 Grozio et al. (2019): Proved that NMN is actively transported into cells and converted into NAD+.
These and many other studies confirm that NMN is a scientifically sound, long-term solution for increasing NAD+ levels .
Conclusion: Why NMN is the better choice
While NAD+ infusions are a Hollywood trend that promises short-term effects, there is a smarter, scientifically proven solution: NMN .
NMN is even more effective than direct NAD+ because it efficiently enters cells as a precursor to NAD+. Studies have shown that NAD+ as a molecule cannot be easily transported across the cell membrane, whereas NMN is actively taken up into cells via the Slc12a8 transporter and converted directly into NAD+ ( R ). As a result, NMN sustainably increases NAD+ levels and promotes important cellular processes such as energy production, DNA repair, and longevity. Compared to expensive NAD+ infusions, NMN offers a cost-effective, long-lasting, and scientifically proven alternative ( R ) .
So why spend thousands of euros on infusions when you have a daily, convenient and highly effective alternative with beLIVELY NMN ?
