Do NAD Patches Work?

NAD patches are gaining popularity for their potential health benefits, from boosting energy to supporting brain health and even slowing down some signs of aging. With growing interest in keeping NAD+ levels high, patches offer a convenient, easy-to-use option that may deliver results more effectively than traditional supplements.

This article dives into how NAD patches work, their unique benefits, and how they stack up against other NAD supplements.

Key Takeaways

• NAD Patches provide a steady, slow release of NAD+ through the skin, which may offer higher absorption than oral supplements.
• Potential Benefits include support for heart and brain health, DNA repair, and energy metabolism, though research is ongoing.
• Alternatives like IV infusions and oral supplements each have unique benefits; patches offer a balanced option between convenience and effectiveness.
• Ongoing Research focuses on improving patch formulations, potentially combining NAD+ with other nutrients to enhance health outcomes.

Introduction to NAD and Its Role in Cellular Health 

NAD, short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a molecule found in all living cells. It has two main forms: NAD+ (oxidized) and NADH (reduced). The balance between these two forms affects many essential cellular functions, and NAD is vital for overall cellular health and protection against the harmful effects of stress. 

One of the main functions of NAD is cell metabolism, the conversion of food into energy. NAD+ picks up electrons (negative charges) from molecules in food which turns it into NADH. NADH then transports these electrons to the cell’s mitochondria, where they produce energy in the form of ATP. 

NAD+ interacts with proteins inside cells to carry out several other important biological processes. These include repairing damaged DNA, cell-to-cell communication, and regulating the immune system. 

Understanding the Importance of NAD+ in Aging and Disease

Research shows that NAD+ levels naturally decline with age. This makes cells more susceptible to damage and may be a key factor in the onset of age-related diseases like dementia, cancer, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. 

This connection between NAD and age-related diseases has motivated scientists to explore therapies that target NAD, hoping to slow down or even reverse these conditions.

The Rise of NAD Supplementation

In recent years, there has been growing interest in NAD supplements as people seek ways to counteract the natural decline in NAD+ levels that occurs with aging. Some supplements contain NAD and NAD+, while others contain precursors or “building block” molecules for NAD. These precursors include nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside, and nicotinamide mononucleotide.

Each of these forms has a distinct mechanism for enhancing NAD+ levels in the body and may have slightly different benefits. 

When it comes to different delivery forms of NAD, oral supplements are the most widely available and possibly convenient to use. However, since oral supplements must pass through the digestive system, some NAD or precursors in these tablets may be broken down, potentially reducing their effectiveness.

Alternative delivery methods of NAD include NAD patches, sublingual NAD (tablets that dissolve under the tongue for direct absorption into the bloodstream), and intranasal sprays.

Some clinics also offer IV infusions to deliver NAD+ directly into the bloodstream for fast, potent effects. IV therapy can raise NAD+ levels quickly and may be used for more intensive support, but it’s more expensive, requires professional administration, and isn’t as convenient for everyday use. 

How Do NAD Patches Work?

NAD patches deliver NAD or its precursors into the bloodstream through the skin. This means NAD surpasses the digestive system, where it might break down before being fully absorbed. This theoretically means more of the active ingredient can get inside cells and have benefits.

Many NAD patches are also designed to release NAD+ slowly over several hours. This slow release helps keep levels steady in the body rather than causing quick highs and lows. To use the patch, it is applied to clean skin, usually on areas like the upper arm or back where it can absorb well, and left for a number of hours. 

Potential Benefits of NAD Patches

Heart Disease 

NAD patches may help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and could even aid in treating certain conditions. For example, a study on rats with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) found that restoring NAD+ levels improved heart cell function and reversed symptoms of heart damage.

Research has also suggested that boosting NAD+ could increase blood flow and the growth of new blood vessels, which could protect against diseases caused by a thickening of blood vessels. 

Neurodegenerative Disease 

Studies suggest that NAD patches could reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stress, which is a major contributor to brain cell degeneration in diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s disorder. In an animal experiment, NAD supplementation reversed some of the brain biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease and improved learning and memory. 

However, there is very limited evidence of the usefulness of NAD for human Alzheimer’s patients. Of the two small trials conducted, the evidence for benefits is mixed. 

Cancer Risk 

NAD patches may help prevent mutations and the risk of cancer by supporting DNA repair and function. However, because NAD+ also promotes overall cell health, it can potentially aid in the survival of cancer cells as well. For this reason, reducing NAD+ levels in combination with chemotherapy has been explored as a potential treatment strategy.

May Aid Weight Loss 

NAD patches could help support weight loss and obesity by helping metabolism. In one experiment, NAD supplements reduced weight gain in rats fed a high-fat diet and reversed daily movement disruptions associated with obesity. 

Increased Athletic Performance

Because NAD+ can improve energy production, NAD patches could help increase stamina for exercise. Some NAD supplement companies claim NAD can improve muscle recovery. However, some clinical research suggests that this may not be the case. 

Comparison with Other NAD Supplementation Methods

NAD patches offer a convenient, steady delivery method for NAD supplementation, providing users with a controlled, continuous release of the molecule, without the frequent clinic visits, like IV infusions. Patches may also be more effective than oral supplements without molecules being broken down by the digestive system.  

However, this method may not be the best choice for everyone. Some people may experience skin irritation and allergic reactions, and the cost is generally higher than oral supplements. 

Patches may be best suited for those seeking a low-maintenance option that doesn’t interfere with daily activities. However, for those who need a more intense, rapid NAD boost, IV infusions may be more effective.

Safety Considerations and Side Effects

Short-Term Side Effects

Short-term side effects related to the patches themselves include skin irritation, which is a common issue with transdermal drug delivery systems. Users may experience localized reactions such as redness, itching, or rash at the application site. Long-term repeated use of patches can also cause skin sensitization, where the defense system in the skin becomes more reactive, potentially leading to allergic reactions. 

Common side effects associated with NAD itself include nausea, headaches, vomiting, and dizziness. High doses of NAD have been associated with toxic effects in animal studies, including increased growth of tumors and risk of cancer, and damage to liver cells. However, in human research, repeated low doses of NAD is generally found to be safe. 

Lifestyle and Dietary Factors Affecting NAD Levels

Improving lifestyle and dietary habits is one of the best ways to support NAD levels naturally. Eating foods rich in NAD building blocks—like lean meats, fish, nuts, and leafy greens—can help boost the body’s own production of this important molecule.

Practices like intermittent fasting or simply eating smaller portions can also help increase NAD by activating processes that protect and repair cells. Regular exercise, especially intense workouts, encourages the body to produce more NAD to meet its energy needs.

Good sleep and stress management are equally important for keeping NAD levels steady. Chronic stress and poor sleep can drain NAD by putting extra strain on the body. Ensuring restful sleep and managing stress through activities like mindfulness or spending time outdoors can help maintain NAD+ naturally. 

By focusing on these foundational habits, people can often support their NAD levels effectively without relying solely on supplements or therapies while also improving their overall health.

Future Prospects and Ongoing Research

The future of NAD patch technology is promising, with ongoing research exploring ways to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility. Scientists are investigating how to optimize patch formulations for improved absorption, potentially leading to the development of more effective NAD patches.

Moreover, researchers are exploring the potential benefits of combining NAD with other nutrients and vitamins, which could lead to the development of patches containing NAD along with other molecules. Multivitamin patches, containing several beneficial compounds, are already widely available. 

FAQs

Sources

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/12/19/2396

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7442590

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33882692

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.312498

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6837626

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7277745/#sec3-biomolecules-10-00687