Unlike Mounjaro and Ozempic, NAD+ injections and supplements can support weight loss while offering anti-ageing benefits for the mind and body. Here, writer Iris Goldsztajn looks at the science and talks to the experts.
Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Kendall Jenner have been raving about NAD+ IVs over the past few months.
NAD+ supplementation and skincare is often associated with anti-ageing benefits, but more and more people are seeking it out in order to support their weight-management and weight-loss journey.
We take a closer look at the benefits of NAD+ IVs, their potential for promoting weight loss and everything else you need to know if you’re considering supplementing with this essential compound.
What is NAD+?
NAD+ is a compound that’s naturally produced by our bodies. “NAD+ [nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide] is a vital coenzyme found in every cell of the body,” says Alice Henshaw, the founder and medical director of Harley Street Injectables, a London clinic which offers NAD+ IVs.
“It plays a crucial role in energy production by helping convert nutrients into cellular energy, and it’s also key in regulating cellular processes like DNA repair, mitochondrial function and inflammation.”
Professor Mohammed Al-Jumaily, a consultant neurosurgeon at Jorja Healthcare Group, says NAD+ is an “essential metabolite” — a substance that’s central to metabolism — and explains our natural levels of NAD+ decline with age, which can lead to age-related conditions.
How does NAD+ supplementation support weight loss?
NAD+ supplementation shows potential for supporting weight management, but it’s not a miracle weight-loss jab.
“NAD+ doesn’t directly cause weight loss, but it can support the body in key areas that help manage weight — like improving metabolic efficiency, reducing fatigue (which encourages physical activity) and supporting better sleep and hormonal balance,” says Alice.
In other words, NAD+ supports your metabolism and can encourage you to become more active by helping you have more energy, which in turn can lead to weight loss.
Claire-Louise Catterall, a nurse and founder of Aesthetically Perfect Skin, also notes that NAD+ IVs can improve insulin sensitivity, a claim that’s supported by research including one study from 2021 and another study from 2023. In simple terms, insulin sensitivity is the body’s ability to process glucose effectively, and low sensitivity (AKA insulin resistance) is often correlated with overweight, according to Diabetes UK.
Meanwhile, Professor Al-Jumaily references a scientific review that found that NAD+ precursor supplementation lowered research subjects’s BMI. NAD+ precursors are molecules that the body can potentially use to create NAD+.
Alice also notes that, to the extent that NAD+ supplementation can support weight management, it’s only one tool to have in your arsenal: a healthy diet, regular exercise and stress management can all help to maximise the benefits of NAD+ (as well as support your overall health).
What are the other benefits of NAD+ IVs for anti-ageing and mental health?
Because NAD+ levels decline with age, supplementing with it or its precursors (like NMN or NR) may have significant anti-ageing benefits.
Alice says: “Supplementing with NAD+ may support energy levels, cognitive function, and cellular repair. It’s also being researched for its potential in slowing the effects of ageing, improving metabolic function, and supporting mood regulation.”
One 2022 review found that NAD+ supplementation showed promise for preventing cognitive decline.
A 2020 study showed that NAD+ plays a vital role in regulating energy levels, and noted that NAD+ deficiency contributes to a range of diseases such as ‘metabolic diseases, cancer, aging and neurodegeneration disorders’.
On the mood front, a 2020 study found that supplementation with the NAD+ precursor NMN improved depression symptoms in mice.
However, Alice adds that more research is needed in order for us to better understand the potential benefits of NAD+ supplementation.
Are there any side effects to NAD+ IVs?
NAD+ IVs are usually well tolerated, so a majority of people should be able to undergo the treatment in a licensed medical clinic or medispa with few or no side effects.
“Some people may experience mild nausea, dizziness, or flushing during IV administration — this is usually temporary and can be managed by adjusting the infusion rate,” says Alice.
Claire-Louise cautions that those with liver issues, cancers or undergoing chemotherapy shouldn’t book in for an NAD+ IV because of the treatment’s role in cell growth, unless advised otherwise by their doctor. “Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult a healthcare provider first,” she says.
Do you have to get NAD+ through an IV?
A quick web search for NAD+ supplementation will show you that, as well as through in-office IVs, it’s also available as capsules, patches, or at-home injections.
While Professor Al-Jumaily explains that more research is needed to truly establish whether IVs are more effective than the alternatives, both Alice and Claire-Louise would recommend IVs over capsules or patches if you’re looking for more noticeable effects.
“IV NAD+ delivery is more immediate and bioavailable than capsules or patches because it bypasses digestion and goes straight into the bloodstream,” says Claire-Louise. “This allows for higher concentrations and quicker effects, which is why IVs are often used in clinical or detox settings.”
With that in mind, IV treatments can be expensive, and heading to a clinic for it every few weeks can be impractical. Claire-Louise recommends supplementing with NAD+ precursors instead, if you’re not willing to invest all that time and money.
“Oral supplements like NMN or NR are more practical for daily use and still raise NAD+ levels over time, though less efficiently than IVs,” she says. “Patches are newer and less studied, with variable absorption rates.”
You can buy NAD+ precursor capsules from reputable brands online or in health shops — Claire-Louise says to look for third-party testing and GMP certification.
In terms of dosage, try starting as low as you can and seeing how you feel. Depending on your tolerance and goals, you can gradually build up to 500-1,000mg of NMN or NR daily. However, in all cases, it’s always a good idea to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
