NAD+ IV Therapy
NAD IV therapy has been used since the 1960s as a medical treatment that supports the body’s functioning and significantly reduces withdrawal symptoms from numerous types of drugs and alcohol.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a coenzyme that exists in all of the body’s living cells and is essential for cell function, along with being involved in most of the body’s metabolic processes. NAD IV therapy involves infusing the oxidized form of the coenzyme, known as NAD+, directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous line.
This delivers the benefits of the NAD+ infusion to the body immediately so it can take effect faster than through other means, such as when medication is ingested orally. Studies show that this treatment can greatly support both mental and physical health.
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Shakthi (Shuk-thee) means Strength, Empowerment, and Agent of Change.
Frequently Asked Questions
We value the importance of the relationship between the doctor and the patient. That is why Dr. Jyothi Rao has taken the time to answer some of the most commonly asked questions at Shakthi Health & Wellness. View our FAQ page here.
What To Expect
Meet Our Doctors
Our team is composed of board certified medical doctors who are highly knowledgeable in the practice of IV therapies. Our Direct Primary Care model provides patients with in depth consults with each appointment without the restrictions of time limits and jumping through insurance hoops.
Jyothi Rao
MD, ABAAHP, FAARFM
Dr. Jyothi Rao has been practicing medicine for over 20 years. She received her Doctorate of Medicine (MD) from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed her internship and residency at the prestigious New England Medical Center (Tufts) in Boston. Before opening Shakthi Health & Wellness Center, Dr. Rao practiced medicine in New York and Maryland.
Sudhir Rao
MD, ABAAHP
Dr. Sudhir Rao obtained his Medical Doctorate from St. George's University School of Medicine, and is the founder of Pain and Spine Specialists. Despite Dr. Rao's years of training focusing on traditional medicine, he developed a strong interest in Functional and Integrative Medicine to treat chronic illness with alternative methods after a personal experience with limitations in traditional medicine.
NAD IV Therapy Treatment
The body’s ability to heal itself naturally starts to decline with age, as the levels of NAD in the cells decrease. Lifestyle factors also contribute to the decline of NAD in the cells, such as stress, poor diet, medication, alcohol, etc. Adding NAD back into the body boosts the cell's ability to do its job properly and aids in the addiction recovery process.
Receiving NAD IV therapy is fairly simple and the patient’s healthcare provider should be able to answer any questions patients may have about the procedure. IV stands for intravenous and involves having a needle injected directly into a vein to deliver the fluids. This is how the infusion hits the bloodstream so quickly and takes effect at a much faster rate than medication that is taken orally.
For those who have never received any type of IV drip therapy before, there is no need to worry. It is a very relaxing process as patients are allowed to lay back while they receive treatment and do anything they like, such as reading a book, being on a laptop, eating, and drinking. Patients are in control the whole time and additional supplements may be added to the infusion in some cases.
Once patients have been determined to be a good candidate for NAD+ IV therapy they will come into the office so a highly qualified staff member will administer the IV drip. Generally, patients will be seated in a chair and the site of the injection will be cleaned with alcohol or a disinfectant solution. The IV will then be inserted into the vein and should be given somewhere in the arm, usually with patients being allowed to choose which arm it is administered to.
The infusion will take multiple hours to complete, with the first visit taking the longest, but patients should start to feel the effects immediately and the results can last for several days. Patients receiving NAD IV therapy to help treat addiction will most likely need a course of daily infusions for a couple of weeks, but treatment plans do vary per person and their individual needs.
After the initial treatment plan is completed, patients may come in for additional infusions on a less frequent basis to aid in reducing the chances of relapse. NAD IV therapy is a safe and effective treatment with no known adverse side effects.
How Addiction Affects Your Body and Mind
Addiction can be a very complex issue to address. It is an addiction that has a significant impact not only on your life but on your body and brain as well. As your addiction continues to grow and your body is inundated with this toxicity it changes the way your brain works. Because it has a significant effect on your brain it, therefore, begins to affect other systems in your body as well.
The effects of addiction on your body and mind can herald long-term damage. The brain itself is the core reason that addiction has such an effect on your body. It is the most important organ in your body as it helps not only the functioning of key systems within your body but also your emotions and personality.
Addiction impacts the brain on a plethora of different levels. In essence, the chemicals that are brought into your body via whatever your drug of choice is beginning to make chemical changes in your brain. Drugs or alcohol will cause your brain to release waves of dopamine which is the pleasure drug.
On top of the effects of drugs and alcohol on the brain’s production of neurotransmitters and other chemicals, there are physiological changes that come. The toxins that are present in the drugs or alcohol that are the root of your addiction impact both your internal and external body. Internally the major organs that are used to filter out toxins like the kidney and liver get inundated with these toxins and begin to function improperly.
This could cause severe problems with your heart and other organs because these filters are meant to remove toxins that if allowed to get to these could cause cancers and other fatal issues. But it isn't only the internal body that is affected as we said. Addiction can cause external changes as well. You may find yourself gaining weight or losing hair. Also, it has an impact on your skin health And many other areas like your teeth and nails.
How NAD IV Therapy Treats Addiction
It has been shown that those who repeatedly consume drugs and alcohol, particularly in cases of addiction, will produce lower levels of NAD. The body will then struggle to receive the energy it needs, and brain functioning will begin to decline, among other issues.
While it is important to know that NAD+ IV therapy is not a cure for addiction, as there is no cure currently, it can be a very useful resource for the recovery process in several key ways. NAD+ IV therapy helps the body detox by flushing out all of the harmful substances from the body while replenishing NAD in the cells for better cognitive and physical functioning.
Once the substances, either drugs or alcohol, are no longer in the system then the body and the brain have the chance to recover and heal as much as possible from the negative effects of the substances.
NAD+ infusion therapy can reduce the symptoms and pain of withdrawal this way and lower the chances that the patient will experience cravings for any substances, which can be very difficult to resist and is a large part of why people relapse.
Other Benefits of NAD IV Therapy
Since the NAD coenzyme is involved in so many metabolic functions there is a myriad of benefits of having NAD+ IV therapy, alongside helping with the effects of addiction and the recovery process. Here are some of the major benefits:
- Supports Brain Health: NAD+ aids the cells in resisting stress, which supports better memory, mental clarity, mood, concentration, and neurological function. NAD can also help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, as the coenzyme elevates mood and energy levels.
- Anti-Aging Properties: NAD plays a part in the production of Sir2p, which is involved in the aging process. NAD also protects DNA, which can be damaged over time, and the coenzyme reduces inflammation which contributes to damaged DNA. This can reduce signs of aging.
- Improves Athletic Performance: With heightened energy levels and cognitive function then athletic performance can also improve as a result. Research also supports the concept that NAD can play a part in muscle development, along with muscle repair, so people can build stronger muscles and increase muscle mass during workouts.
- Provides Pain Management: The anti-inflammatory nature of NAD+ can also reduce inflammation associated with pain, such as chronic pain, to offer some measure of relief.
Potential Side Effects of NAD IV Therapy
In order to make sure our patients understand everything about this therapy we want to also discuss the potential side effects that you may experience utilizing this IV treatment. Many people during the infusion have experienced nausea, cramping, muscle fatigue, and brain fog. This can be addressed though most often by slowing the drip itself.
Get Started
If you are interested in learning more about IV Therapy benefits, treatments and packages, or would like to schedule an appointment with our office, CALL Shakthi Health and Wellness Center today! Speak with our dedicated staff to schedule your consultation with Dr. Jyothi Rao and begin optimizing your body’s vitality. Call (301) 703-5067 and speak to our direct primary care staff today!
About Us
We believe in practicing medicine that focuses on whole body health. As integrative medicine doctors we focus our on root cause of your condition with comprehensive treatments that actually heal the body rather than just masking the symptoms of your illness.
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Patient Testimonials
Patient Testimonials
I started by seeing Dr. Sudhir Rao for my Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome. I had an accident in July 2010 that caused nerve damage in my ankle. After treatments and surgery, it spread up the entire left side of my body. The only way to describe how you feel is by saying you’re a human pinball machine ? you just never know where the pain is going to be that minute. I had asked about acupuncture because someone had told me that it worked for them. I was at the point of trying anything to lessen the pain because it was getting worse every day.
- Susan Doyle
I am actually a relatively healthy 50-year-old woman. I try to eat well and exercise, but I (like many) felt the creep of age in the form a subtle pounds and decreasing energy. Dr. Rao helped point me in the direction of the correct detox program for me (Core Restore!) as well as the supplements I needed to boost my metabolism and increase my energy! I still need to eat what works for me and avoid the things that don't, and I still have to exercise every day, but my clothes fit better and I have more energy!!
- Shakthi Patients
I came to see Dr. Rao with symptoms of chronic fatigue, abdominal pains, depression, and weight gain. I had seen a couple other doctors and they had found that I had very high inflammation levels and over 15 food allergies/sensitivities. They wanted me to just take prescription drugs, but I wanted more than a quick fix. I wanted my health and my life back! When I scheduled the appointment, I was surprised how by helpful Kelly was on the phone. I didn’t know the details of my insurance coverage and Kelly offered to call my insurance for me. I’ve never had anyone at a doctor’s office do that before.
- Anna Smoot
After visiting the Shakthi website and reading other patient testimonials, I was curious about the wide variety of treatments that were available. I have a very slow metabolism, was fatigued, had insomnia, back pain, and just didn’t feel as well as I wanted to in general. I had more allergic reactions and respiratory issues in the preceding months before coming to see Dr. Jyothi Rao. I had completed three courses of prednisone while under the treatment of my traditional doctor and was fed up with that cycle and was looking for another path.
- Debbie Helman
I was given the gift of Dr. Rao's primary care for Christmas in 2016. I didn?t take advantage of it until March of 2017. My mindset at the time was negative. I had heard about changing eating habits and I felt that I liked the foods I was eating and I was nearly 70, so why change now? After meeting with Dr. Rao and hearing her suggestions, I said I would take it one small step at a time and see what happens.
- Linda J.
I was in the worst shape of my life with depression and anxiety. I had given up. Shakthi provided me with a manageable plan that included supplements, diet, and an exercise program that has transformed my body and given me a new outlook on life. Perhaps the most surprising outcome was learning how to be healthy and have a good relationship with my body. I am now more productive, energetic, and focused. The fog that had been clouding my thoughts has lifted.
- Shakthi Patient
What To Expect
How Treatment Works
Our doctors and staff take time to get invested in your health and well-being. We've taken a step back from mainstream medicine and are challenging the norm. Everyone's healthcare needs are different. You are different. We believe patients shouldn't settle. Our practice is not a revolving door. We listen, and most importantly, we hear you.
Appointments
Appointments are conducted on an as-needed basis. Patients can expect appointments to be more thorough and focused on their needs. As direct primary care doctors, we see a limited number of patients which means each of our patients receives dedicated care without the concern of being “rushed” our of an appointment.
Diagnostic Testing
We offer patients scientifically backed health assessments to better understand the root causes of their health conditions. We evaluate any disruptions to your health and body to develop effective wellness plans to optimize your vitality. To learn more about the specific tests we offer visit this page here.
Costs Involved
Patients receive personalized and tailored care in exchange for a flat fee. Overall cost will be discussed during your initial consultation. Each subsequent appointment will not need to be individually paid for. All patients receive unlimited access to their physicians which leads to better overall health and wellness.
