Toronto Functional Medicine Centre

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Can Folate Deficiency Influence Aging? An IV Therapy Toronto Discussion

Folate is commonly linked to pregnancy, but did you know it can have a role in healthy aging? At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, our IV Lounge can administer folic acid as IV therapy – and new patients are welcome to book their initial appointment!

Folate – which is also called vitamin B9 or folic acid – drives cellular functions and red blood cell production in the human body. It’s added to prenatal supplements to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus. However, studies have shown that low levels of B9 may be linked to aging obstacles, such as declining cognitive function in older adults.

This article explains how B9 levels can impact aging, the beneficial effects of this nutritional supplement, and details about our vitamin drip therapy treatments.

What Does B9 Have to Do with Aging?

According to a paper from the BMJ: British Medical Journal, folic acid is needed for every life stage; but for seniors in particular, this deficiency may drive impediments to brain function, which can boost the risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Thus, this link between folate deficiency and aging can be significant for some individuals as they age. In fact, High homocysteine has been correlated with Alzheimer’s disease in research, though more studies are needed to confirm a direct causal relationship. In the body, folate is tasked with breaking down

“…[I]nterventions that reduce homocysteine levels, such as folic acid supplementation, have been suggested as potential prevention strategies against Alzheimer’s disease.’

– Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, 2025

homocysteine, which is a type of amino acid. When you lack B9, your body cannot properly break down homocysteine. This can lead to excessive amounts of the amino acid, which can boost your risks for dementia. It’s been thought that supplementing with folic acid could support the conversion of homocysteine into methionine, which may possibly help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Potential Anti-Aging Benefits from Folate Supplementation

If you’re concerned about forming the downsides of aging, taking folate can be considered, especially for supporting cognitive function. It may potentially promote other positive effects, too:

May offer mood support: One of the symptoms of B9 deficiency is depression. Supplementing with B9 could contribute to regulating neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine.
Might contribute to managing cardiovascular health: High homocysteine is linked to heart conditions. Some scientists posit that supplementing with folic acid may reduce cardiovascular disease risks by roughly 20%.
May prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Folate is mandatory for DNA repair and when you lack this vitamin, your eye health can be hindered. In one study on older adults, it was shown that optimal levels of B5, B6 and B9 in their bodies lowered their chances of forming advanced AMD.
Might protect against breast cancer (under certain conditions): According to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in a study of 50,000 women (conducted over time), it was speculated that adequate levels of folate may be beneficial for lowering breast cancer risks; however, only for breast cancer cases linked to alcohol.

Next Steps: Should You Get Intravenous Therapy?

If you’re interested in folic acid for aging, should you take oral vitamins or get IV therapy? This isn’t a simple answer because we’re biologically distinct due to genetics, medical conditions, lifestyle and environmental factors – hence, this calls for a consultation with a functional practitioner.

Absorption issues and nutrient deficiencies can come with aging. For example, “… just as the muscles throughout your body might tire more easily than they did in your 20s and 30s, the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract … can slow down,” explains the University of Michigan. That said, IV therapy in Toronto may be appropriate for optimizing your absorption of nutrients.

IV therapy allows for a rapid delivery of nutrients into the bloodstream, which can be immediately used by the body for healing. Due to the fact that IV nutritional solutions enter the bloodstream only – without touching the digestive tract – you’re guaranteed a full absorption of vitamins without enzymes ‘eating up’ much-needed doses of nutrients. Oral supplements should not be neglected, though – if you consume these regularly while getting IV drips, they can help maximize your nutrient intake.

If you’ve recently noticed lags in your athletic performance, daily energy levels, or weight loss, we can customize your health strategies! Aging can alter various aspects of wellness, but by applying the functional medicine model, we can begin scrutinizing the source of your health issues.

Nourish Your Body with Nutrients in Our IV Lounge Today

A treatment plan from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre can contain a wide range of modalities, combining conventional treatments with hormone optimization therapies, naturopathic and herbal medicines, holistic nutrition, psychotherapy, acupuncture and more. Intravenous treatments are available in our IV Lounge and these can be integrated into your treatment plan as adjuvant therapies. Therapeutic doses of drips are tailored with the principles of functional medicine – this means that each IV drip is unique to each patient’s biological needs only!

When IV drip treatments are combined with healthy habits and additional treatment modalities, they can contribute to health enhancements. Our IV Lounge offers plenty of key nutrients for intravenous therapy, including folic acid, vitamin C, a variety of essential minerals and amino acids, glutathione, IV NAD+, and more. Vitamin drip therapy can also be arranged to target specific health goals, such as supporting tissue repair for physical exertions or boosting collagen levels for skin health recovery.

Note: We prioritize safety in our IV Lounge. Each IV therapy appointment is supervised by our team of naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners and registered nurses. Please don’t hesitate to approach us with comments or concerns – we’re a patient-centred practice, so we encourage you to discover more about your wellness!

Do you need help with understanding your daily supplements? Or are you struggling with chronic symptoms, such as brain fog, digestive issues, or food sensitivities? Request your consult for supportive IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – simply click here to begin!

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media.

References

“Aging and Digestive Health: 6 Factors to Watch For” from the University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine department, posted July 29, 2016, viewed on May 20, 2025.

Araújo, J. R., Martel, F., Borges, N., Araújo, J. M., & Keating, E. (2015). Folates and aging: Role in mild cognitive impairment, dementia and depression. Ageing Research Reviews, 22, 9-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2015.04.005

Corrada, M. M., Kawas, C. H., Hallfrisch, J., Muller, D., & Brookmeyer, R. (2005). Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease with high folate intake: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Alzheimer’s & Dementia : The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, 1(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2005.06.001

Ho, R. C., Cheung, M. W., Fu, E., Win, H. H., Zaw, M. H., Ng, A., & Mak, A. (2011). Is High Homocysteine Level a Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline in Elderly? A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19(7), 607-617. https://doi.org/10.1097/JGP.0b013e3181f17eed

Reynolds, E. H. (2002). Folic acid, ageing, depression, and dementia. BMJ : British Medical Journal, 324(7352), 1512. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.324.7352.1512

J Merle, B. M., Barthes, S., Féart, C., Cougnard-Grégoire, A., Korobelnik, F., Rougier, B., Delyfer, N., & Delcourt, C. (2022). B Vitamins and Incidence of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Alienor Study. Nutrients, 14(14), 2821. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142821

Li Y, Huang T, Zheng Y, Muka T, Troup J, Hu FB. Folic Acid Supplementation and the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Am Heart Assoc. 2016 Aug 15;5(8):e003768. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.116.003768. PMID: 27528407; PMCID: PMC5015297.

Li, M., et al. (2023). Associations between serum folate levels and retinal vein occlusion: A cross-sectional study. BMC Ophthalmology, 23, 369. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-023-03149-z

Smith, A. D., Refsum, H., Bottiglieri, T., Fenech, M., Hooshmand, B., McCaddon, A., Miller, J. W., Rosenberg, I. H., & Obeid, R. (2018). Homocysteine and Dementia: An International Consensus Statement. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. https://doi.org/10.3233_JAD-171042

Tsugane, S., et al. (2022). Dietary intakes of vitamins B5 and B6 and risk of age-related macular degeneration in a Japanese population: the JPHC Study. British Journal of Nutrition, 128(10), 2023–2032. https://doi.org/10.1017/S000711452200205

“Vitamin B9 (Folic acid)” from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, viewed on May 20, 2025.

Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – (416) 968-6961" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.

Sunday, March 15, 2026

How Red Light and PEMF Can Enhance NAD IV Therapy in Toronto

If you’re curious about NAD IV therapy in Toronto or you’ve started getting regular drips, you’re not alone! This innovative treatment has been explored for its potential effects on cognitive function, anti-aging effects, cellular repair and detoxification, and more. But what if we told you that your NAD+ infusion can be combined with other therapies?

At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, patients have opted into merging their NAD IV therapy drips with PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) and red light treatments, which are all available in our clinic. When these Functional medicine–based therapies are combined, they can further target your cellular health – which is exactly where health improvements begin! This combo therapy may be constructive for:

Burnout from stress;
Recovery from an illness, surgery, or exposures to environmental toxins;
Improving athletic/workout performances;
Longevity and anti-aging health goals;
Helping to relieve chronic fatigue, brain fog, or mild cognitive concerns.

In this article, we recap what NAD is, a brief introduction to PEMF and red-light therapies, and the synergistic effects between these three treatments.

Review: What is NAD IV therapy?

NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme – a molecule that spurs chemical reactions in the body – and is found in each cell. It has a role in transforming the food you eat into energy, supporting DNA repair, and preventing premature aging. But as we age or undergo stress and/or toxin exposures, NAD levels can plummet — this can lead to fatigue, sluggish thinking, and aging effects, like memory glitches or skin wrinkles.

NAD can be supplemented orally, sublingually or intravenously. Its intravenous administration has been validated in studies for safely replenishing NAD levels; this is because the nutrient is inserted directly into your bloodstream as a formula, guaranteeing an instant absorption of this ‘helper molecule’. Improvements to mental clarity, athletic recovery, supple skin, and mood stability may potentially result when these IV sessions are combined with healthy living and other functional medicine therapies.

Introduction to PEMF therapy

Did you know that every cell has its own electrical charge? This charge is needed for absorbing nutrients and supporting cellular communication. But over time, it can weaken from excessive inflammation, toxicities or chronic stress.

PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) is a therapy that can address these charges. The treatment takes place in a relaxed setting, where gentle electromagnetic waves are pulsed into your body to stimulate cells – in turn, this method may be beneficial for improving circulation, oxygen delivery throughout the body, and enhancing the body’s reception for NAD absorption. “This treatment concept is far from new,” explains a paper from the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. “In fact, PEMF was introduced as a treatment in the 1970s …, and continues to be an interesting clinical treatment strategy with ongoing new indications.”

Understanding red light therapy for cellular regeneration

Red light therapy is a different remedy that can target cellular functions. With this treatment, you lie under a LED canopy and are provided with eye protection. You’re then exposed to red and near-infrared wavelengths of light, which are directed towards your skin – without causing pain or excessive heat. Studies show that this method can stimulate your cells’ mitochondria (also called the ‘powerhouses’ of cellular energy production). In turn, targeting the mitochondria can boost ATP, which can increase energy levels, collagen production and anti-inflammatory effects.

When combined with NAD+ infusions, red light therapy has the potential to help with recovery enrichment, as NAD gives your mitochondria nourishment and red light helps activate and amplify this process. Together, NAD IV drips and red light therapy can act as natural approaches to youthful-looking skin, daily vitality, and mood stability.

The benefits of combining these therapeutic modalities

So, why think about merging your NAD IV drip with red light and PEMF? Well, optimizing your wellness sessions is likely important to you – after all, you have a busy schedule on your plate! When you take these treatments one after another, it becomes a holistic health care approach that helps the body replenish NAD levels and encourages the support and absorption of nutrients from the IV bag, helping to maximize NAD optimization.

Here’s how the three therapies work together:

PEMF helps with energizing and priming your cells for NAD absorption.
NAD IV infusions deliver NAD into the body to fuel cellular energy.
And finally, red light treatments activate the mitochondria to produce additional ATP.

This synergy aims to recuperate health at the cellular level, assisting energy levels, detoxification and recovery in tandem. These personalized therapies (and more!) are offered by our functional IV clinicians – we invite you to explore our other Toronto-based complementary approaches now.

Request your NAD+ infusion therapy session today

We believe in your natural ability to tackle inflammation, brain fog, chronic pain, and more. This is why we consider your individual health requirements when tailoring health strategies.

Achieving sustainable health outcomes may require some customization, with the possibility of lab testing beyond conventional settings. To access our health care, you do not need a referral to our clinic – you can book an appointment on your own!

Attentive care is taken when we integrate therapies, and due to our background in pharmacognosy, we can responsibly combine treatments and avoid medication interactions. Our functional medicine health team is adept at integrating and adapting Western and naturopathic medicine, holistic nutrition, vitamin injections, herbal remedies (Chinese, Ayurvedic, Amazonian), IV therapy, light pod therapy, and more.

Our IV Lounge is available for patients and our IV therapists can prescribe therapeutic doses just for you. We only use natural ingredients! Our menu includes glutathione cofactors, vitamins A, C, and E, various amino acids, NAD+ and more. Safety measures are always implemented, too – a qualified practitioner (i.e. naturopathic doctor, nurse practitioner, registered nurse) supervises your IV session at all times.

Keep in mind, IV therapy drips are not replacements for healthy eating and exercise – they must be amalgamated with positive lifestyle changes and additional health interventions. We invite you to take advantage of our patient-centred approach today.

Take control of your wellness now to enhance your mental tasks and energy levels. Simply call us to request your consult for NAD IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre.

References

Conlon NJ. The Role of NAD+ in Regenerative Medicine. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022 Oct 1;150(4 Suppl ):41S-48S. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000009673. Epub 2021 Sep 28. PMID: 36170435; PMCID: PMC9512238.

Flatscher, Jonas, et al. “Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF)—Physiological Response and Its Potential in Trauma Treatment.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 14, 2023, p. 11239, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241411239. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Hamblin, Michael R. “Mechanisms and Applications of the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Photobiomodulation.” AIMS Biophysics, vol. 4, no. 3, 2017, pp. 337–361.

Li WH, Seo I, Kim B, Fassih A, Southall MD, Parsa R. Low-level red plus near infrared lights combination induces expressions of collagen and elastin in human skin in vitro. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2021 Jun;43(3):311-320. doi: 10.1111/ics.12698. Epub 2021 May 25. PMID: 33594706.

Rubik, Beverly. “Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields: A Novel Therapy for Health and Wellbeing.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 28, no. 1, 2022, pp. 45–53.

Stewart, Glenn M., et al. “Impact of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Vascular Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Individuals.” The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, vol. 22, no. 6, 2020, p. 1083, https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.13877. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Wunsch, Alexander, and Karsten Matuschka. “A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment in Patient Satisfaction, Reduction of Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Intradermal Collagen Density Increase.” Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, vol. 32, no. 2, 2014, p. 93, https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2013.3616. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Yang X, He H, Ye W, Perry TA, He C. Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Pain, Stiffness, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. Phys Ther. 2020 Jul 19;100(7):1118-1131. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa054. PMID: 32251502.

Ying, W. “Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) and NAD+-Dependent Enzymes in Brain Aging: The Therapeutic Potential of NAD+ Supplementation.” Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, vol. 10, 2018, p. 93.

Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – (416) 968-6961" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.