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NAD+ 101: Everything You Need to Know

Lesley Harris avatar
Written by Lesley Harris
Updated this week

What is NAD+? If you’ve been feeling more tired or foggy than usual, a quick search might have brought you to this three-character buzzword.

NAD+ is a naturally occurring coenzyme your body uses to support energy production and core cellular functions. It’s often marketed as the modern-day “fountain of youth,” but at Willow, we take a different approach—simple, doctor-led care to support energy, mental clarity, and recovery during GLP-1 treatment.

Here’s everything you need to know about NAD+ and how it can support you during GLP-1 treatment.


What Is NAD+?

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a naturally occurring chemical found in every cell of your body. It’s a coenzyme the body depends on to turn the food you eat into energy, support cellular repair, and contribute to healthy cognitive and mood function.

NAD+ supports everyday functions that influence how you feel, including:

  • Steady, youthful energy

  • Sharper focus and clearer thinking

  • More day-to-day motivation

  • Recovery from physical and emotional stress

NAD+ levels naturally decline with age and often begin to drop more noticeably around age 30-35. Stress, illness, and metabolic changes can accelerate this decline. Low NAD+ levels may contribute to fatigue, decreased mental clarity, or a lack of motivation. Replenishing NAD+ can help the body regain balance and maintain clearer, steadier energy throughout the day.

Have questions about NAD+?
Log in to the patient portal to message your Willow doctor about whether NAD+ is a good fit for you.


How NAD+ Works in the Body

NAD+ is essential for helping your cells create ATP, the body's primary form of energy. It supports electron transport inside the mitochondria, where energy production takes place.

NAD+ plays a role in:

  • Healthy metabolic function

  • Cellular repair and recovery

  • Mitochondrial performance

  • Stress and inflammatory responses

  • Cognitive function and mood

When NAD+ levels are low, cells produce energy less efficiently. This can feel like slower mornings, reduced motivation, dips in clarity, or afternoon slumps. Restoring NAD+ levels helps rebuild the cellular foundation needed to feel energized and mentally sharp.


NAD+ Benefits Explained

By supporting the body's natural energy pathways, NAD+ may help you feel clearer, steadier, and more present throughout the day. Many people describe:

  • Steady, jitter-free energy

  • Clearer thinking with less brain fog

  • A brighter, more balanced mood

  • Greater recovery from stress, exercise, or late nights

Many patients describe NAD+ as something that helps them feel more like themselves again. These shifts reflect how NAD+ supports core cellular processes that influence how you feel, think, and move through your day. This foundation of support is particularly relevant for people using GLP-1 medications.


How NAD+ Supports GLP-1 Users

For patients using GLP-1 medications, NAD+ can offer especially meaningful support. GLP-1 treatment often reduces appetite and calorie intake, which means the body must operate with less fuel. During this adjustment, some patients may feel more tired than usual, less motivated, or not as mentally sharp.

NAD+ helps support this transition by:

  • Converting nutrients into usable fuel

  • Improving mitochondrial efficiency

  • Supporting clarity, focus, and mood

Because NAD+ levels naturally decline with age and may drop further during metabolic change, replenishing them can make this phase feel smoother and more manageable. Many GLP-1 patients describe improvements after adding NAD+, including:

  • Feeling refreshed and mentally present

  • Less daytime fatigue

  • A clearer, more stable mood

  • A return to familiar clarity and capability

There is also early evidence suggesting that healthy NAD+ levels may help the body respond more efficiently to GLP-1 treatment, supporting steadier progress during both weight loss and maintenance.

Want to add NAD+ to your plan?


A Personal Note From Dr. Green

As a dual board-certified physician, Willow’s Chief Medical Officer, and a GLP-1 patient, I’m always paying attention to how treatments feel in real life. When I started noticing shifts in my energy and focus on GLP-1s, I added NAD+ to my routine to support my day-to-day well-being.

The difference was meaningful. I felt clearer, more energized, and more lifted. NAD+ worked seamlessly alongside my GLP-1 medication, helping me stay focused and consistent. When two treatments support each other so seamlessly, it stands out.

That experience is a big part of why we decided to bring NAD+ to our Willow patients. I hope it supports you in the same impactful ways it has supported me.

Dr. Michael Green

MD, OB/GYN, Family Medicine


How Willow’s NAD+ Treatment Works

If you decide to add NAD+ to your program, Willow offers treatment exclusive to our GLP-1 patients. Your treatment includes:

  • Prescription-grade NAD+ you won’t find in the supplement aisles

  • Free two-day shipping

  • Unlimited support from a US-licensed physician

  • 24/7 messaging with Willow’s Care Team

The injection is administered the same way as your GLP-1 medication, making it simple and familiar to incorporate. Your Willow physician can help determine whether NAD+ is a good fit for your goals and routine.


How to Know if NAD+ Is Working

Many patients feel a quick lift in energy and clarity within hours of an NAD+ injection, with improvements building steadily over time.

Early signs may include:

  • Clearer thinking

  • A brighter or steadier mood

  • Easier mornings

  • Feeling more present and focused

Longer-term signs may include:

  • More stable daily energy

  • Increased clarity or motivation

  • Better recovery from stress, exercise, or late nights

  • Feeling more like yourself again

Everyone responds differently, and the timeline can vary. A series of treatments is often needed to build optimal levels and maintain longer-lasting benefits. Your Willow physician can help you track your progress and adjust your plan as needed.


How NAD+ Fits Into a Healthy Routine

NAD+ works best as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for foundational habits. Many people find their routines feel easier when their energy and clarity are steady.

Helpful habits include:

  • Drinking water consistently

  • Eating balanced meals that fit your GLP-1 plan

  • Prioritizing restful sleep

  • Regular movement, especially strength or resistance training

NAD+ can help these habits feel more doable, giving you the steadiness you need to move through your weight-loss or maintenance journey with confidence.


Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add NAD+ to my treatment plan?

Currently, NAD+ is only available for Willow patients. Click here to add NAD+ to your treatment plan or reach out to your Willow doctor.

Why should GLP-1 patients consider NAD+?

Many GLP-1 patients look for added support as their bodies adapt to treatment. NAD+ plays a key role in core cellular processes like energy production, metabolic function, and repair, which is why some patients choose to include it to help maintain clarity, steadiness, and overall resilience throughout their treatment.

How do I take NAD+?

NAD+ is taken 3x per week as a small subcutaneous injection. Similar to your GLP-1 medication, the process is quick and easy. You can find step-by-step instructions here.

How long will it take to feel the benefits?

Many patients feel an initial lift in clarity and energy within hours of their NAD+ injection. As NAD+ levels continue to rise with ongoing treatment, improvements in focus, mood, and recovery tend to become more noticeable. A series of treatments is usually recommended to build a stable baseline and support longer-lasting benefits.

How are NAD+ injections different from supplements?

Over-the-counter NAD+ supplements are broken down in the digestive system, which limits how much your body can absorb. Willow’s prescription-strength injections bypass digestion and deliver NAD+ more directly and reliably. Many patients find this provides steadier, more noticeable support than supplements.

Are there side effects with NAD+ injections?

Most people tolerate NAD+ injections well. Mild side effects can include redness or soreness at the injection site, brief flushing, fatigue, or a mild headache. Your Willow physician will review your health history and help guide you through the experience. Full details can be found in our Patient Safety Information.

How much does NAD+ cost?

You can add NAD+ to your Willow treatment plan for $199/month.

Have more questions?

Reach out to Willow's Care Team at [email protected] or message your Willow physician anytime through the patient portal.


Willow’s Clinical Approach

NAD+ at Willow is guided by clarity, clinical support, and a focus on helping you feel like yourself again. We prioritize safe, evidence-informed care that supports steady, natural-feeling energy throughout your GLP-1 journey.

Your body deserves care that is both safe and effective. If you're curious about whether NAD+ could support your treatment, your Willow physician is here to help.

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