 NAD+ has become one of the most talked about nutrients in the world of wellness, longevity and performance. Interest in NAD+ therapy has grown rapidly as more people look for ways to support their energy levels, mental clarity and overall wellbeing. If you often feel tired, mentally foggy, stressed, run down or simply not quite yourself, you may have come across discussions about NAD+ and wondered what all the excitement is about. So, what exactly is NAD+, and why are so many people interested in it? NAD+ stands for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide. It is a naturally occurring coenzyme found in every cell of the body and is essential for life. One of its most important roles is helping the mitochondria produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the energy source used by every cell in the body. NAD+ is also involved in processes associated with: • Energy production • Cellular maintenance • DNA repair • Brain function • Metabolism • Mitochondrial health • Healthy ageing NAD+ plays a role in many of the systems that help us feel energised, focused and resilient. People often seek NAD+ therapy when they are looking to support: • Energy and vitality • Mental clarity and focus • Recovery from periods of stress or burnout • Healthy ageing goals • Exercise recovery and performance • General wellbeing • Overall resilience and vitality
Why Are People Interested in NAD+ Therapy? Because NAD+ is involved in cellular energy production and repair, it has attracted considerable attention from researchers studying ageing, metabolism and cellular health. Research in this area continues to evolve, but interest in NAD+ has grown significantly among both healthcare practitioners and individuals taking a proactive approach to their health. What Is NAD+ Therapy? NAD+ therapy involves administering NAD+ directly into the body, either through intramuscular (IM) injections or intravenous (IV) infusions. The aim is to increase the availability of NAD+ within the body and support the many cellular processes that rely upon it. NAD+ Injections and IV TherapyNAD+ can be administered through either injections or IV infusions. Both methods are used in clinical practice. However, many practitioners choose to begin with injections before considering IV therapy. This is because some individuals can experience temporary side effects during or after NAD+ IV therapy, particularly when receiving larger amounts over a short period of time. These may include nausea, headaches, flushing, dizziness or a feeling of chest tightness. IM injections are often used as a gentler introduction to NAD+ therapy and may be associated with fewer side effects for some individuals. For many people, starting with injections allows them to assess how they respond before progressing to IV therapy if appropriate.
How Long Might Effects Last? The duration of any perceived effects varies from person to person. Some individuals choose occasional treatments, while others prefer a more regular maintenance approach depending on their goals and practitioner recommendations. Typical Injection Schedule A commonly used introductory schedule is: • One injection per week for four weeks Followed by: • One injection per month for maintenance Protocols may vary according to individual circumstances and practitioner guidance. Possible Side Effects NAD+ therapy is generally well tolerated, although side effects can occur. Potential side effects may include: • Discomfort at the injection site • Redness or swelling at the injection site • Headache • Nausea • Fatigue • Dizziness • Flushing or a warm sensation More significant reactions are uncommon but can occur. Anyone considering NAD+ therapy should undergo appropriate screening beforehand. Who May Need Additional Assessment? NAD+ therapy may not be suitable for everyone. Additional assessment may be required for individuals with: • Liver disease • Kidney disease • Significant cardiovascular conditions • Active cancer • Autoimmune conditions • Active infections • Certain mental health conditions • Low blood pressure NAD+ therapy is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to limited safety data.
Could NAD+ Therapy Be Worth Exploring?
NAD+ is one of the body's most important molecules, playing a central role in cellular energy production and many of the processes that help keep our cells functioning efficiently. As interest in healthy ageing, resilience and long term wellbeing continues to grow, NAD+ therapy is becoming an increasingly popular option for those looking to support their health proactively. If you would like to learn more about NAD+ therapy or discuss whether they may be suitable for you, please get in touch.
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Do you feel like your body has changed but nobody can quite explain why? Perhaps you're exhausted despite sleeping, struggling with weight gain around your middle, waking at 3am, feeling anxious for no obvious reason, snapping at your family, suffering with PMS, heavy periods, low libido, hot flushes, brain fog or simply feeling like you've lost yourself. One of the most common things I hear from clients is: "My blood tests came back normal, but I know something isn't right." This is where advanced hormone testing can be incredibly helpful.  At the Thrive Clinic, I offer DUTCH hormone testing, one of the most comprehensive, non-invasive (it uses urine) hormone tests currently available. It helps us look beyond whether your hormone levels are simply "normal" and instead explore how your body is actually producing, using and breaking down those hormones. What Is The DUTCH Hormone Test? DUTCH stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones. It is an easy-to-complete home test that measures sex hormones, stress hormones and hormone metabolites using a series of dried urine samples collected throughout the day. Unlike a single blood test that captures one moment in time, the DUTCH test provides a much broader picture of what's happening behind the scenes. It looks not only at your hormone levels but also at how your body processes those hormones. From a naturopathic perspective, this is incredibly valuable because symptoms often arise not simply because a hormone is high or low, but because the body is struggling to regulate, metabolise or clear hormones efficiently. What Can The DUTCH Test Measure? Depending on the test selected, the DUTCH can assess: • Oestrogen and its metabolites • Progesterone • Testosterone and androgens • Cortisol and cortisone • DHEA • Melatonin • Hormone detoxification pathways • Organic acid markers linked to nutrient status • Oxidative stress markers • Certain markers related to gut health and microbial balance This allows us to build a much clearer picture of what may be contributing to symptoms. Who Might Benefit From DUTCH Testing? DUTCH testing may be helpful if you are experiencing:
It can also be extremely useful for women who are already using HRT or natural hormone support and want a deeper understanding of how their body is responding.
Why I Like The DUTCH Test As both a naturopath, functional medicine practitioner and nutritional therapist, I am always interested in finding the root cause rather than simply masking symptoms. Hormone issues rarely exist in isolation. Your stress levels affect your hormones. Your gut health affects your hormones. Your nutrient status affects your hormones. Your liver's ability to detoxify and clear hormones affects your hormones. The DUTCH test allows us to explore these interconnected systems and identify patterns that may not show up on standard testing. For example, two women may have very similar oestrogen levels. One feels fantastic while the other suffers from headaches, breast tenderness, heavy periods and mood swings. Often the difference lies in how those hormones are being metabolised and cleared from the body and this is where DUTCH testing can provide valuable clues. The Different DUTCH Tests Available DUTCH Complete £280 The DUTCH Complete is the most popular option. It provides a detailed assessment of sex hormones, cortisol patterns, adrenal function and hormone metabolites. It also includes valuable markers relating to nutrient status, oxidative stress, melatonin and hormone metabolism. This is often the best choice for women struggling with fatigue, PMS, perimenopause, menopause, stress-related symptoms, weight gain, sleep issues and hormone imbalance. DUTCH Cycle Mapping £355 Hormones fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. Cycle Mapping measures hormones across the month, allowing us to see the rise and fall of oestrogen and progesterone throughout your cycle. This can be particularly useful for: • PMS • PMDD • Irregular cycles • Fertility concerns • Suspected ovulation issues • Unexplained hormone symptoms despite normal blood tests It provides a much more detailed picture of what is happening across the entire cycle rather than on a single day. DUTCH Complete with Cycle Mapping £465 This combines both tests for the most comprehensive hormone assessment available. It provides detailed information on hormone production, hormone metabolism, adrenal function, cortisol patterns and how hormones fluctuate throughout your cycle. For complex cases, this often gives the deepest insight into why symptoms are occurring. Do I Need A Consultation? No. Many people simply want access to high-quality functional testing. You can purchase any of the DUTCH tests directly without booking a consultation. Your test kit will be delivered to your home with full instructions and can be completed in your own time. If you would like help interpreting your results and creating a personalised nutrition and naturopathic plan, you can book a consultation separately, but this is entirely optional. Ready To Get Answers? If you've been told everything is normal but you still don't feel like yourself, the DUTCH hormone test can provide a much deeper understanding of what may be happening beneath the surface. Whether you're navigating PMS, perimenopause, menopause, fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, fertility challenges or simply want to understand your hormones better, this test can provide valuable insight into your body's unique hormone story. Because sometimes the missing piece isn't that your hormones are normal, It's understanding what your body is actually doing with them. A Guide to Food Intolerance Testing, SIBO Testing, Stool Testing and DUTCH Hormone Testing One of the most common things I hear is: "I know something isn't right but I don't know where to start." Perhaps you've been struggling with bloating, digestive issues, headaches, skin problems, fatigue, hormonal symptoms or unexplained health concerns for months or even years. Maybe you've tried changing your diet, taking supplements or searching online but you're still left wondering why you feel the way you do. Testing can often provide the missing pieces of the puzzle.
Food Allergy and Food Intolerance Testing - for Bloating, IBS and Skin Problems Do you ever feel like your body is reacting to something you're eating but you can't work out what? Food related symptoms can be surprisingly varied. Some people experience bloating and digestive discomfort. Others struggle with eczema, headaches, sinus issues, fatigue, joint pain or brain fog.  The challenge is that food intolerances are often delayed. You might eat something today and not experience symptoms until tomorrow or even the next day. That can make it almost impossible to identify trigger foods through observation alone. The test I offer measures IgG antibodies using a simple finger prick blood sample that is collected at home and posted to the laboratory. Your blood is analysed against a wide range of foods and the report highlights any foods that may be triggering an immune response. Many people ask about hair testing for food intolerances because they have seen these tests advertised online. Hair testing can be a useful tool for assessing mineral imbalances and toxic metal exposure but it is not considered a reliable method of identifying food intolerances. For food intolerance testing, a blood sample provides a much more relevant assessment. This test may be worth considering if you experience: • Bloating after meals • IBS symptoms • Eczema or skin flare ups • Headaches and migraines • Sinus congestion • Fatigue • Brain fog • Joint aches • Symptoms that seem to worsen after particular foods If you frequently find yourself wondering whether food is contributing to your symptoms, this can be a very useful place to start. SIBO Lactulose Breath Testing - for Bloating, Wind and IBS Symptoms If your main complaint is bloating, this is often the test people wish they had discovered sooner. Many people with SIBO tell me they wake up with a fairly flat stomach but look six months pregnant by the evening. Others experience excessive wind, belching, constipation, diarrhoea or ongoing IBS symptoms that never seem to fully resolve.
The test uses lactulose, a non digestible sugar solution. After drinking the lactulose solution you collect a series of breath samples over a few hours. The laboratory then measures hydrogen and methane gases within each sample. If bacteria are fermenting the lactulose within the small intestine, the gases produced can be detected in your breath. The pattern of those gases helps determine whether SIBO may be present.
This test is particularly useful if you experience: • Significant bloating • Excessive wind • Belching • Constipation • Diarrhoea • IBS symptoms • Abdominal discomfort • Food sensitivities Whilst stool testing looks mainly at what is happening within the large intestine, SIBO testing focuses on the small intestine. If bloating is your biggest complaint, this is often the more appropriate place to start. Comprehensive Stool Testing- for Gut Health, Digestive Problems and Parasites Sometimes digestive symptoms need a deeper investigation. Perhaps you've been diagnosed with IBS but have never really understood why. Maybe you experience reflux, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain or ongoing digestive symptoms that don't seem to fit neatly into a box. Comprehensive stool testing provides a detailed picture of what is happening within the gut. The collection process is straightforward and completed at home before being returned directly to the laboratory.  Unlike basic stool tests that look for only a handful of things, comprehensive testing examines multiple aspects of digestive health including: • Beneficial bacteria • Gut microbiome balance • Pathogenic bacteria • Parasites • Yeasts and fungal overgrowth • Digestive function • Pancreatic enzyme production • Inflammation markers • Gut immune activity • Short chain fatty acids • Intestinal health markers
DUTCH Hormone Testing - for hormone imbalances, PMS, Fertility issues, Irregular Periods and Fatigue Hormones influence far more than most people realise. They affect mood, energy, sleep, weight, skin health, libido, fertility and how well we cope with stress. Many people assume hormone testing is only relevant during menopause but hormonal imbalances can affect women at any stage of life.  The DUTCH Test stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones. The samples are collected at home using specially designed collection strips which are then sent to the laboratory for analysis. One of the most popular options available through Thrive is DUTCH Complete combined with Cycle Mapping. One of the limitations of many hormone tests is that they provide a snapshot of a single moment in time. Cycle Mapping allows us to see what hormones are doing throughout the menstrual cycle rather than on just one day. The DUTCH Complete assesses: • Oestrogen • Progesterone • Testosterone • DHEA • Cortisol • Cortisone • Hormone metabolites Cycle Mapping tracks hormone patterns throughout the month and can be particularly useful for women experiencing: • PMS • Painful periods • Heavy periods • Irregular periods • Missing periods • Fertility concerns • Mood changes • Fatigue • Sleep problems • Hormonal acne • Breast tenderness • Low libido • Stress related symptoms These two tests can be combined with the DUTCH complete with Cycle mapping. One of the things I particularly like about DUTCH testing is that it doesn't simply tell us how much hormone is present. It also looks at how hormones are being broken down and metabolised within the body which can provide valuable information that is often missed by standard testing. Which Test Should You Choose? If your symptoms seem connected to foods, food allergy and intolerance testing is often a sensible first step. If your biggest complaint is painful and excessive bloating, wind and IBS type symptoms, SIBO testing may be the better option. If you have long standing digestive problems and want a detailed assessment of gut health, parasites, inflammation and microbiome balance, comprehensive stool testing is usually the most informative. If your concerns revolve around periods, fertility, mood, energy, sleep, stress or hormone balance, DUTCH hormone testing may provide the answers you have been looking for. Testing Hub All tests can be purchased directly through the Thrive Testing Hub without booking a consultation. If you would like help interpreting your results and creating a personalised plan, consultations are available separately. If you are unsure which test is right for you, feel free to get in touch and I will happily point you in the right direction.  |
WelcomeThe contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, dietary supplement, exercise, or other health program. Categories
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Thrive Clinical Nutrition and Naturopathic Health Eve Morley NT NNA. mGNC. Soc Nat. NAP [email protected] Subscribe to my emails GDPR Privacy policy Data Protection Policy Disclaimer |
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