Optimizing vs. Supersizing Your Health

Medically reviewed by Next Health Clinical Director, Jessica Brewer

Striking a Balance in Health Optimization

In the pursuit of health and wellness, the desire to optimize daily routines often leads individuals to explore the latest trends and services promising enhanced well-being. However, it's crucial to discern that optimization doesn't mean supersizing or overdoing it. Going beyond recommended limits can potentially nullify the benefits of certain treatments. In this article, we delve into the distinction between optimization and overdoing it, emphasizing the importance of balance and informed choices in health practices.

The NAD+ IV Trend

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) IV Therapy has gained popularity for its potential to boost energy levels, enhance cognitive function, slow cellular aging, and support overall well-being.

NAD+ is a naturally occurring enzyme in the body that starts to decline around the age of 35, leading to depleted stores in many individuals. NAD+ IV Therapy aims to restore these depleted stores. Our Functional Medicine Experts recommend a protocol known as the Optimal Aging Trifecta, consisting of three NAD+ infusions (300 mg or 750 mg) over seven days. This protocol is designed for optimal results by front-loading the treatment. However, surpassing the recommended supply of NAD+ after this initial phase does not yield additional benefits.

While NAD+ IV Therapy has been shown to lead to a variety of health benefits (such as enhancing energy, improving cognition, and slowing cellular aging), research suggests that exceeding the body's optimal NAD+ levels may not translate to further advantages. This aligns with the concept of "optimizing" rather than "overdoing it" in wellness practices.

Scientific Insights:

• Cellular Saturation: Studies indicate that cells have a limited capacity to absorb NAD+. Once their needs are met, further intake doesn't enhance cellular function and might disrupt cellular processes.
• U-Shaped Curve: Research on NAD+ supplementation shows a "U-shaped curve" relationship between NAD+ levels and health outcomes. Moderate increases are beneficial, but exceeding a certain threshold can have negative consequences.
• Individualized Needs: Optimal NAD+ levels likely vary between individuals based on age, health status, and metabolism, emphasizing the importance of a personalized approach.

How Often Should You Do NAD+ Therapy?

After front-loading with the Optimal Aging Trifecta, our Functional Medicine Experts recommend NAD+ Therapy quarterly for maintenance. Factors such as age, health status, metabolism, and genetics influence the body's utilization of NAD+, making it crucial to consult with our Functional Medicine Providers for personalized recommendations.

Vitamin IV Therapy

Vitamin IV therapy addresses widespread vitamin deficiencies, with approximately 90% of Americans experiencing some level of nutrient insufficiency. This method delivers essential vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream, promising improved energy levels, immune function, and overall well-being.

While the benefits of vitamin IV therapy are evident, striking a balance is crucial. Daily infusions may lead to diminishing returns and potential wastage of valuable nutrients. Scientific evidence emphasizes that the body has a saturation point for certain vitamins, with excess intake becoming redundant.

Scientific Insights:

• Absorption Limits: Scientific evidence suggests that the body has a saturation point for certain vitamins. Once this limit is reached, any excess intake becomes redundant, as the body cannot absorb or utilize the surplus. Examples include:

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid):

• Scientific Limit: The body can handle up to 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day orally. The body's ability to absorb vitamin C diminishes at higher intake levels. Once the saturation point is reached, excess vitamin C is excreted in the urine.
• Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA): The RDA for vitamin C varies by age and sex but up to 2,000 mg may benefit health especially during times of stress and travel.

Vitamin D:

• Scientific Limit: While vitamin D is crucial for bone health and immune function, excessive intake can lead to toxicity. The body's ability to metabolize and utilize vitamin D has limits.  
• ‍Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA): The RDA for vitamin D varies by age, with, for example, 600 IU (International Units) for adults up to 70 years old. For Vitamin D Shots, 10,000 IU weekly is within the recommended dosage.
• Optimal Frequency: Studies indicate that vitamin IV therapy, when administered at optimal frequencies (such as weekly), can effectively address deficiencies and support overall health. However, daily infusions may surpass the body's ability to absorb and utilize the vitamins efficiently. Weekly vitamin IV therapy sessions provide a balanced and effective strategy for optimizing nutrient levels. This frequency aligns with the body's natural processes and its ability to absorb and utilize vitamins efficiently. Regular but spaced-out infusions allow for a steady replenishment of essential nutrients without overwhelming the body's absorption mechanisms.
• Individual Variations: Just as with NAD+ therapy, individualized needs play a crucial role in vitamin optimization. Factors such as age, health status, and metabolic rate can influence the ideal frequency of vitamin IV sessions. A personalized approach ensures that individuals receive the right amount of nutrients without overloading their systems.

Hormone Therapy: Navigating the Delicate Balance

Hormones, the chemical messengers orchestrating various physiological functions, demand a delicate balance within the body. Each hormone contributes uniquely to the intricate system regulating metabolism, energy levels, mood, and reproductive functions. The delicate interplay of these hormones is crucial for sustaining overall health.

Just as an orchestra requires each instrument to be in tune for a harmonious melody, hormones must be in balance for effective and positive functionality. A disruption in this delicate equilibrium can result in a range of symptoms, from fatigue and mood swings to more complex health issues.

Hormone therapy has garnered attention for its potential to address imbalances and alleviate associated symptoms such as weight gain, low energy, hair loss, brain fog, and more. However, the allure of feeling better sometimes tempts individuals to overdo it. It's essential to recognize that, in the realm of hormone therapy, more isn't necessarily better. Over-optimization can lead to adverse effects, disrupting the finely tuned balance that the body naturally seeks.

Risks of Over-Optimization:

• Negative Feedback Mechanisms: Hormonal regulation involves intricate loops, and excessive hormone therapy can trigger negative feedback mechanisms that worsen imbalances.
• Unintended Consequences: Overstimulating hormones may result in side effects such as mood swings, irritability, and severe complications.

Understanding that hormones operate within a delicate balance emphasizes the importance of a thoughtful approach to hormone therapy. Next Health’s Hormone Optimization Program offers precise and individualized interventions through regular testing, ensuring optimized and balanced hormone levels.

Consistency and Variety: Cornerstones of Health Optimization

Achieving optimal health is not about grand gestures but rather the culmination of consistent, daily practices and introducing variety into your routine. These two pillars, consistency and variety, form the bedrock of a holistic approach to health optimization, focusing on sustainable habits and diversified well-being practices.

Consistency: Small Daily Actions Yield Big Results

Consistency is the unsung hero of health optimization, emphasizing the impact of small, daily actions over time. Instead of seeking drastic interventions like excessive NAD+ IVs, prioritize fundamental practices that contribute to overall well-being:

Quality Sleep: Ensure you consistently get adequate and quality sleep. Sleep is crucial for cellular repair and overall health, promoting optimal brain function and immune system support.

Morning Rituals: Start your day with simple yet impactful habits, such as a refreshing cold shower. This not only wakes up your body but also stimulates circulation, setting a positive tone for the day.

Toxin Reduction: Focus on minimizing toxin exposure by adopting simple measures like using air filters to enhance indoor air quality and reducing plastic usage. These everyday changes contribute significantly to long-term health.

Variety: Keep Your Body Guessing

Variety is the spice of life, and it's equally essential for health optimization. Your body adapts to routines, and introducing variety ensures continual challenges and benefits. Embrace diversity in various aspects of your life:

Exercise Routine: Mix up your workouts regularly. The body adapts to repeated movements, and incorporating variety helps target different muscle groups, prevents plateaus, and promotes overall fitness.

Nutrient-Rich Diet: Rotate fruits and vegetables in your diet. Each plant offers a unique set of nutrients, and by diversifying your choices, you maximize the spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body receives.

Mind-Body Practices: Explore various mindfulness and stress-reducing techniques. From meditation and yoga to tai chi, incorporating a variety of mind-body practices helps address different aspects of mental and emotional well-being.

The Synergy of Consistency and Variety

Consistency and variety are not mutually exclusive; they complement each other in creating a robust foundation for health optimization. Consistent daily practices establish a routine that becomes ingrained in your lifestyle, while introducing variety ensures your body continues to adapt, grow, and derive maximum benefits.

By focusing on the small, consistent actions and embracing diversity in your routines, you create a sustainable approach to health that stands the test of time. Remember, health optimization is a journey, not a destination, and finding the right balance between consistency and variety ensures a holistic and enduring commitment to your well-being.

How to Avoid “Over-Doing” It

In embracing the Next Health philosophy of health optimization, it's crucial to adopt a data-driven approach to your well-being. Regularly testing and retesting your biomarkers serve as the compass guiding your journey towards optimal health. Think of it as fine-tuning an instrument for peak performance or meticulously tracking your training progress for athletic achievements. By analyzing concrete data points, you gain insights into the intricacies of your body's functioning, allowing you to make informed decisions that align with your unique needs. This iterative process ensures that your health interventions are precisely tailored, enabling you to see and feel the tangible difference in achieving and maintaining optimal well-being. Embrace the power of data, and let it be the guiding force in your pursuit of a healthier, more vibrant life.

To kickstart this personalized approach, we recommend starting with the Baseline Test, a comprehensive assessment of over 50 biomarkers designed to establish a foundational understanding of your current health status. From there, our Functional Medicine Providers will curate a health optimization plan tailored to your needs, removing any guesswork from your journey. This seamless connection between data-driven insights and personalized guidance empowers you to navigate the path to a healthier, more vibrant life with clarity and purpose.

Looking for guidance in health optimization? Request a complimentary consult here and we will connect you with a Functional Medicine Provider shortly.

Call or text us at: (310) 295-2075

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3143074/

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https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

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https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-dosage#toxicity