Dr. Alexander Landfield
Board-Certified Neurologist & Medical Director
NAD+ stands at the intersection of longevity science and aesthetic medicine, serving as a critical cofactor in hundreds of metabolic reactions that determine how well your cells function and how gracefully you age. At Rani Beauty Clinic in Renton, WA, Dr. Landfield offers NAD+ injection protocols based on the growing body of research connecting NAD+ levels to cellular health, cognitive function, and biological aging.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide exists in two forms: NAD+ (oxidized) and NADH (reduced). Together they shuttle electrons between metabolic reactions, powering the mitochondrial electron transport chain that produces approximately ninety percent of cellular ATP, the energy currency every cell requires. Without adequate NAD+, mitochondrial function declines, energy production falters, and cells cannot perform their repair and maintenance functions efficiently.
NAD+ levels decline approximately fifty percent between ages forty and sixty. This decline correlates with the acceleration of aging-related changes including reduced cellular energy, impaired DNA repair, increased inflammation, and decreased activation of sirtuins, the longevity-associated enzymes that depend on NAD+ as a substrate.
Sirtuins are a family of seven proteins that regulate critical cellular processes including DNA repair, gene expression, inflammation, and stress response. SIRT1 through SIRT7 each require NAD+ to function. When NAD+ levels fall, sirtuin activity decreases, and the protective mechanisms they regulate become compromised. Restoring NAD+ levels reactivates sirtuin pathways, potentially restoring cellular protective functions.
PARP enzymes, which are the primary DNA repair proteins in the cell, also consume NAD+ as they work. As DNA damage accumulates with age from UV exposure, oxidative stress, and normal metabolic activity, PARP enzymes consume increasing amounts of NAD+ for repair work. This creates a competitive situation where both sirtuins and PARPs compete for a shrinking pool of NAD+, compromising both longevity pathways and repair capacity.
At Rani Beauty Clinic, NAD+ injections deliver the coenzyme directly into the body, bypassing the digestive system for maximum bioavailability. Oral NAD+ supplements face significant degradation in the digestive tract. While oral precursors like NMN and NR can raise NAD+ levels, direct injection provides a more reliable and immediate boost.
The neurological benefits are particularly relevant given Dr. Landfield's expertise. NAD+ supports neuronal energy production, synaptic function, and neuroprotective mechanisms. Patients frequently report improved mental clarity, focus, and cognitive resilience after NAD+ protocols. While these are subjective reports, they align with the established neuroscience of NAD+-dependent brain metabolism.
Skin benefits from NAD+ supplementation reflect improved cellular function. When skin cells have adequate energy and active repair mechanisms, they produce collagen more efficiently, resist oxidative damage better, and maintain their regenerative capacity longer. NAD+ supports the very cellular processes that professional aesthetic treatments stimulate, making it a powerful complement to RF microneedling, Sofwave, and other collagen-building treatments.
Our NAD+ protocol typically begins with a loading phase of weekly injections for four to six weeks, followed by maintenance injections at biweekly or monthly intervals. The specific protocol is individualized based on age, health status, and treatment goals. Many patients combine NAD+ with other wellness injections including glutathione for antioxidant support and B12 for energy metabolism.
The research on NAD+ and aging continues to expand, with ongoing clinical trials investigating its effects on age-related conditions, exercise performance, and metabolic health. While NAD+ is not a fountain of youth, the scientific rationale for maintaining adequate levels as we age is compelling and growing stronger with each new study.
At Rani Beauty Clinic, NAD+ therapy is offered within the context of a comprehensive wellness and aesthetic program, recognizing that cellular health is the foundation upon which all external beauty is built.
