In Conversation with Iain De Havilland, Wellness Trailblazer and Founder of NADclinic
Iain De Havilland is the Founder of NADclinic, whose clinics offer specialised NAD+ health & wellness solutions that have been designed to elevate health to a whole new level increasing the body’s own NAD+ levels.
NAD stands for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide and is a natural co-enzyme that energises, structures, and repairs every cell in the body. NAD+ turns nutrients into energy and drives crucial metabolic processes by regulating cellular function. By shifting electrons from one molecule to another, NAD+ helps us generate energy within our cells and regulate the circadian rhythm that manages our sleep/wake cycle. As people age, NAD+ declines resulting in decreased energy and cognitive function, metabolic disease and frailty – this is where supplementation comes into play.
With a passion in holistic health and wellness innovation, as well as optimising human performance, Iain’s journey began when he was first introduced to NAD+ as an alternative therapy for burnout and alcohol detox at a rehabilitation he co-founded in Spain. Spending much time in South Africa and the US researching NAD+, Iain discovered a myriad of other health benefits provided by NAD+. Through his own research, Iain focused on better understanding cellular optimisation, including personalising longevity protocols and reversing the physical effects of ageing. Subsequently, Iain teamed up with the original South African pioneers of NAD+ IV, launching NADclinic in 2018.
Today the footprint has grown exponentially, with an expansive clinical partnership network in Europe, as well as several GMP production facilities. Further plans for NADclinic and products are to launch in the GCC, Asian and US markets, such as the launch into the first Intuisse Spa. Our editor spoke to Iain to understand the revolutionary nature of NAD+ and NADclinics.
Iain De Havilland, Founder & CEO of NADclinic
Could you explain for our readers what NAD+ is and why it's considered crucial for cellular health and metabolism?
NAD+ is short for Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which is a coenzyme of niacin (also known as vitamin B3). It is one of the fundamental molecules that makes life possible as it is a crucial building block for ATP, which is the cellular energy molecule that all cells need in order to function. No living cell, either plant, animal or human can exist without it. In Fact its as critical for life as oxygen, without any NAD+ you would be dead in around 40 seconds. In Metabolism, NAD is involved in the breakdown of glucose and fatty acid oxidation for energy. NAD is known as a naturally occurring Co-Enzyme with responsibility for a whole host of critical physiological functions in addition to converting nutrients into ATP, such as DNA repair and maintenance and maintaining stability and integrity of cellular function that prevents mutations that can lead to cancer and other chronic diseases.
What are some of the most compelling pieces of scientific evidence or research studies that support the use of NAD+ therapy in promoting health and longevity?
The earliest studies and evidence of NAD+ benefit go back to the late 1950s and early 60s, when it was used very successfully in both the treatment of alcoholism and mental illnesses like schizophrenia (Hoffer et al 1954, O’Holleren 1961). From these early uses, it was discovered that it’s mechanism of action was to increase mitochondrial energy production, which over our lifespan deteriorates due to oxidative stress. By boosting energy production via increasing NAD+ levels, it was found that many of the effects of oxidative stress and subsequent aging could be slowed down (Fang et al 2017) and chronic degenerative diseases ameliorated (Gadol et al 2019, Abdellatif et al 2021).
How does NAD+ therapy compare to other anti-aging or wellness therapies currently available? What makes it stand out or unique?
In my opinion NAD+ is the Gold-Standard when it comes to longevity and wellness and optimising human performance, in comparison to other anti-aging and wellness therapies. It is perhaps most directly influential in energy metabolism which is the fundamental currency for our wellbeing. As with Vitamin C and glutathione, which are very important antioxidants, NAD+ also mitigates oxidative stress and is fundamental in cell and DNA repair.
Are there any other therapies or lifestyle interventions that you recommend in conjunction with NAD+ to maximize health outcomes?
Of course, a balanced diet and regular excercise are the obvious lifestyle interventions to support NAD+ supplementation. We also work closely with a some of the leading cryotherapy and WellTech companies in the world which offer excellent combinations with NAD+ therapy. We also highly recommend Ozone Therapy and regular diagnostic testing.
The NADclinic flagship is located in the heart of the Harley Street Medical District, one of the most prestigious private medical districts in the world.
From your perspective, what has been the most transformative impact of NAD+ therapies on patients' health and well-being, based on the feedback and results observed at NADclinic?
There are so many.. In terms of wellness obviously the Longevity, human performance and massive improvements in sleep cycles and focus/concentration. In terms of actually supporting illness or desease we have had amzing results with Long Covid sufferers, patients with Parkinson desease also experience tremendous results. We also see amazing results with clients who struggle with addiction that can include Alcohol, prescription meds and also cessation of long term smoking and food addiction.
NADclinic places a strong emphasis on personalised health solutions. Can you share how advances in diagnostics and personalisation have shaped the therapies and treatments offered by NADclinic?
Biochemical individuality was a relatively novel concept in medicine back in the 80s and 90s. In today’s world, it is now recognised as best practice in medicine and the wellness sphere. The Achilles heel of diagnostics up until recently has been how cumbersome blood tests were to administer. With the advances in blood spot technology, there is much less need for lengthy blood draws and line ups at labs to get it done. In order to tailor treatments to individuals, the more detailed information about a patient can be collected, the greater the efficacy of treatment and health outcome there is. NADclinic always try to emphasise the need for diagnostics or a full set of bloods, so that our medical experts have a full and transparent baseline to work with our clients in order to expertly and effectively marry up outcomes.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in advancing NAD+ therapy, whether from a scientific, regulatory, or public awareness perspective?
Anything new in science and medicine, is always treated first with scepticism, then possibly attacked by the orthodoxy before grudgingly being accepted and embraced. In today’s pharmaceutically driven medical sphere, this is the biggest hurdle as there are many emerging drugs that big pharma wants to introduce in the absence of competition. However, although you can drug a body into submission, you can’t drug it into health. Only natural substances can.
With the global health landscape constantly evolving, how does NADclinic stay ahead in terms of innovation and responding to new health trends and demands?
By having top clinicians, scientists and a forward-looking group of innovators as part of our health & R&D team. Curiosity and a strong drive to know “why” and “how” we is how stay ahead of the curve of new health trends and demands. NADclinic Group are renowned globally for the quality of our products, we are available in over 40 countries and across 5 continents. We are fortunate to work with some of the best know hospitality and clinical groups in the world. We achieve this success and consistent exponential growth over the past few years by always making sure that we are the most innovative brand in our sector.