From hot flashes and poor sleep to low energy and memory blips, symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can heave through several aspects of health. Tackling these starts at the molecular level – which is why we offer NAD+ IV therapy at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC).
Scientists are suggesting that cellular energy can influence how this ‘change of life’ can manifest and persist. NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a key molecule that can potentially help with symptom management, bridging metabolic health, aging biology, stress response, and hormonal functions.
Understanding the molecule further can disclose why perimenopausal/menopausal women might experience shifts in energy, cognition, and stress resilience. We explain further in this article, as well as how to optimize NAD+ levels in our IV Lounge.
What NAD+ is and Why It Matters for Women in Midlife
NAD is a coenzyme found in all living cells and its job is to spur cellular energy production. In the mitochondria, NAD helps convert nutrients into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the body’s working supply of energy currency. NAD is also critical for regulating:
- DNA repair
- Cellular stress responses
- The activation of sirtuin proteins (these proteins are linked to cellular aging, gene expression, metabolism, and inflammation)
- Neurotransmitter balance
With age, NAD+ levels naturally wane – and this can begin as soon as our 30s. Women entering perimenopause and menopause often face this decline with hormonal fluctuations; in turn, this can drive unwanted stress, impacting the mind and body.
Perimenopause is the chapter that leads up to menopause, and this ‘story’ can persist for several years. Through this transition, hormone production is erratic, with estrogen and progesterone fluctuating up and down. This impacts your sleep, mood stability, metabolic rate, mental clarity, and fatigue. When the female body already lacks NAD+, it can potentially intensify:
- Declines in energy metabolism: Low estrogen levels alter mitochondrial functioning and dwindle energy production. As we explained, NAD+ is beneficial for synthesizing ATP, so when NAD levels fall short, so does your energy output! Due to both hormonal and molecular changes, fatigue tends to be a marker of perimenopause.
- Reductions in stress resilience: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which helps control your stress responses, is sensitive during hormonal transitions. NAD⁺ supports specific sirtuins that are known to modulate stress and inflammation. Low NAD⁺ means you lose efficiency in buffering stress, which can worsen irritability and sleep problems.
- Cognitive decline: Your brain cells need loads of energy, so waning NAD+ can impair memory and mental clarity, contributing to bouts of brain fog. Ideal NAD amounts may be beneficial for fostering brain functioning, DNA repair, and antioxidant defenses.
- Weight fluctuations: Menopause can change your cellular metabolism and body composition. NAD⁺ is connected to pathways that regulate insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism; when NAD⁺ is insufficient, your body has trouble capably switching between burning carbohydrates and fats for energy – potentially leading to weight gain and wonky blood sugar levels.
If you’re interested in taking NAD, supplements can be discussed with a functional health provider. It would actually be advantageous to get your NAD treatments customized – this would help avoid over-supplementation, while promoting healing from within.
Functional and integrative health care strategies for NAD optimization
There are various ways to enhance your NAD intake. A functional medicine doctor can prescribe NAD precursors supplements, such as tryptophan, nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). These compounds can raise NAD⁺ levels indirectly, providing you with ‘building blocks’ that the body can transform into NAD⁺.
But for some people, the oral route can be limited – for example, bioavailability can be inconsistent if you already have a digestive condition, meaning your body might not absorb the full intended dose. And due to hormonal changes during menopause, it’s not uncommon for nutrient absorption to become less efficient in the female body. So, if you want peace of mind in upping your NAD intake, IV therapy can be prescribed.
Did you know…
That some fods contain NAD+? These options include turkey, whole grains, and select fruits and vegetables. Click here to read our functional medicine article on NAD-boosting foods to try.
NAD IV therapy is directly administered into your bloodstream with an intravenous catheter. It allows for cells to absorb NAD readily, helping to speed up support for energy metabolism, DNA repair, and stress regulation – with fewer conversion steps. When your NAD+ IV drip dose is tailored by a functional IV therapist, it aims to target your biological needs only. This dosage is only unique to you! So, for women struggling with menopausal symptoms, nutritional and/or NAD IV drips can be arranged to address your profound symptoms.
Keep in mind, NAD+ precursors and drip treatments are not ‘cures’ – they are recommended as complementary treatments. Functional medicine takes lifestyle, hormone balancing, nutrition and stress management into consideration, so NAD+ and other nutritional supplements should be integrated into a healthy daily practice. The goal is not just to achieve symptom relief – it’s also to improve resilience, metabolic health, and vitality as you shift into menopause.
Suggested reading: Toronto NAD IV Therapy Approach to Aging: Should you Take NAD in your 40s?
Revive NAD+ Levels for Stress Relief, Menopause, Athletic Performance, and More
You are capable of enriching your mind and body – let’s help you navigate that inner power with personalized care from the TFMC! Our goal is to tackle the root of your health issues to support bodily balance and help prevent chronic conditions from forming.
Our health practices are in line with the functional medicine model. This formal framework addresses the patient as a unique entity – you are not compared to other individuals, and all treatments, including IV therapy services, are adapted for your body only. To match therapies with your needs, functional medicine testing is offered. These comprehensive tests can be eye-opening for understanding why cellular aging, gut dysbiosis, oxidative stress, and nutrient deficiencies are happening in your body. Test results are used to tailor your treatment plan, which may mix conventional medicine with custom vitamin supplementation, botanical and naturopathic medicine, nutritional IV infusions, bioidentical hormone therapy, acupuncture, and more. As we share space with Supernatural Yorkville, you also have access to several longevity-related tools, including sessions in the innovative RE:SET treatment chairs, lymph drainage treatments, cryotherapy, and HBOT.
NAD infusion therapy and intramuscular injections are overseen in our IV Lounge. An initial consult is required for determining risks/allergies to IV fluids and to personalize doses. NAD IV therapy services can be administered as stand-alone treatments or combined with additional IV drips, such as those containing high-dose vitamin C! In conjunction with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and additional functional therapies, nutritional IV drips may be supportive for health enhancements.
Right now, we’re accepting new patients for NAD IV therapy in our Toronto IV Lounge – this is your chance to revive mental clarity naturally. Simply click here to book your initial consult with our functional naturopathic clinic.
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
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Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – (416) 968-6961" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.
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