NAD Therapy and Anti-Aging: What You Need to Know Before You Try It
In recent years, NAD therapy has gained traction as a promising treatment in the anti-aging and biohacking world. With claims of increased energy, improved brain function, and enhanced cellular repair, it’s no surprise that NAD has become a buzzword in wellness circles.
But beneath the hype, there’s an important conversation that often gets overlooked, is NAD therapy safe for everyone?
According to Dr. Khanh Nguyen, a regenerative medicine expert and physician, the answer isn’t so simple. In fact, she does not advocate for the widespread use of NAD therapy, especially in individuals with a history or risk of cancer.
Here’s a closer look at what NAD therapy is, why it’s become popular, and what Dr. Khanh believes you need to know before considering it for anti-aging or wellness purposes.
What Is NAD Therapy?
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme present in every cell in the body. It plays a vital role in:
- Converting food into usable energy (ATP)
- Supporting DNA repair and cellular regeneration
- Activating sirtuins—proteins associated with longevity
- Regulating immune and inflammatory responses
As we age, our natural NAD levels decline, which is thought to contribute to signs of aging such as fatigue, cognitive decline, and slower recovery. NAD therapy aims to replenish NAD+ levels through intravenous (IV) infusions, injections, or oral precursors like NMN or NR.
Commonly marketed benefits of NAD therapy include:
- Increased energy and stamina
- Enhanced cognitive performance
- Support for metabolism and weight management
- Improved skin quality and cellular repair
- Anti-aging effects at the cellular level
While these claims are appealing, Dr. Nguyen urges caution, especially for individuals with undiagnosed or high-risk conditions.
Why Dr. Nguyen Does Not Recommend NAD Therapy for Everyone
In her recent educational video, Dr. Khanh Nguyen explains that NAD therapy may not be appropriate or safe for everyone, despite its potential benefits.
Her main concern? Cancer.
“While NAD is great for normal cellular repair, it can also enhance the growth of abnormal or cancerous cells. And that’s the last thing we want,” Dr. Nguyen says.
How NAD May Influence Cancer Risk
Cancer cells are characterized by their ability to grow and divide rapidly. Because NAD plays a role in cell energy and repair, increased NAD levels could support cancer cell survival and proliferation in some individuals.
Research has shown:
- Some cancers overexpress enzymes that boost NAD production to fuel tumor growth.
- High NAD levels can promote the activity of proteins that help cancer cells resist treatment and oxidative stress.
- Certain genetic mutations (e.g., MYC-driven cancers) are associated with high NAD demands.
These findings suggest that while NAD is essential for healthy cells, it may also fuel disease progression under the wrong circumstances.
When to Be Cautious About NAD Therapy
Dr. Nguyen recommends taking the following steps before considering NAD therapy:
1. Assess Your Risk Profile
If you have a personal or family history of cancer, or if you carry a genetic predisposition (such as BRCA mutations), NAD therapy may increase your risk of accelerating abnormal cell growth. Always consult a physician first.
2. Get Routine Health Screenings
Annual physicals, cancer screenings, and lab work are essential to ensure you are a suitable candidate for any regenerative treatment, including NAD therapy. Do not assume wellness treatments are risk-free just because they are trending.
3. Demand a Personalized Treatment Plan
There is no one-size-fits-all solution in anti-aging medicine. What works for one person could be harmful for another. Your therapy plan should be based on personalized diagnostics, including blood panels, genetic testing, and metabolic markers.
“NAD therapy is powerful,” Dr. Khanh says, “but with power comes responsibility. Use it only if it’s right for you, and only under the care of a knowledgeable provider.”
Who Might Benefit from NAD Therapy?
Although Dr. Nguyen does not recommend NAD therapy for the general population, she acknowledges that it may be useful in specific clinical cases, including:
- Patients with diagnosed NAD+ depletion
- Individuals with chronic fatigue or mitochondrial dysfunction
- Carefully monitored regenerative or detoxification protocols under medical supervision
However, these cases should be the exception, not the rule, and always conducted with full awareness of the risks involved.
NAD Therapy and Anti-Aging: Final Thoughts
While NAD therapy may hold promise in anti-aging medicine, it is not without risk. Boosting NAD+ levels may sound like a smart strategy for energy and longevity, but the potential to accelerate abnormal or cancerous cells makes it a therapy that requires careful screening and expert oversight.
Dr. Khanh Nguyen is not an advocate of NAD therapy for the general public. She encourages individuals to ask better questions, not just “What can NAD do for me?” but “Should I be increasing NAD at all?”
Summary: What to Know Before Trying NAD Therapy
- NAD therapy may support energy, brain health, and anti-aging—but only in the right context.
- Cancer risk is a serious concern when raising NAD levels indiscriminately.
- Dr. Khanh does not recommend NAD therapy without personalized screening and physician guidance.
- Always consult your doctor before starting NAD therapy or any biohacking treatment.
Sources
- Covarrubias AJ, Perrone R, Grozio A, Verdin E. “NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing.” Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 2021.
- Chini EN et al. “Targeting NAD metabolism in cancer: progress and opportunities.” Trends in Cancer, 2022.
- Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA. “Therapeutic potential of NAD-boosting molecules: the in vivo evidence.” Cell Metabolism, 2018.
Disclaimer
This blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or therapy, including NAD therapy.
Statements in this post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This blog follows FTC guidelines on transparency, health claims, and disclosure.
