Here at Nervana Medical, We offer a variety of treatment options to best suit your needs and your budget. We want you to feel your best and we believe that to feel your best, an all modality approach is the best approach; AND you may not always require a high-dose IV drip to get you there. If you can have baseline support with nutraceuticals that support your goals, supplement with high-dose IV push, or IM shots to boost your levels above what oral supplementation alone could do alone. We also have a variety of service lines that may also benefit your overall health as many of these top conditions have a variety of approaches to treatment and can vary in simple/natural to more complex/pharmaceuticals.
RECOMMENDED FOR
General feeling of being run-down
Fatigue
Elevated Oxidative Stress Markers
Low Glutathione Levels/Immunity
Parkinson’s
Surgical Recovery
Injury Healing
Skin Glow
Periods of high physical or emotional stress
Radiation or Chemotherapy Recovery (can be combined with higher dose Vitamin C protocols
Any condition where oxidative stress is a factor like macular degeneration
DMII
Atherosclerosis (thought that the oxidized LDL is what actually causes plaque build up
Fibromyalgia
Diabetic neuropathy
Decreased antioxidant capacity
Aging
Low testosterone/PCOS/ Infertility
Muscle Health/Performance
Thyroid dysfunction
Liver Detoxification/hepatoprotective
Flu/cold/respiratory symptoms/asthma/acute illness
Low energy/ oxidative stress
Alzheimers, Parkinsons
UNDERSTANDING MITOCHONDRIAL IMPORTANCE
Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell. They help turn the energy we take from food into energy that the cell can use. But, there is more to mitochondria than energy production.
Present in nearly all types of human cell, mitochondria are vital to our survival. They generate the majority of our adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell.Mitochondria are also involved in other tasks, such as signaling between cells and cell death, otherwise known as apoptosis.
Mitochondrial support aims to support the function of mitochondria by providing nutrients and cofactors . necessary for energy production.
What are the benefits of mitochondrial support/healthy mitochondria?
Increased energy levels: By supporting the function of mitochondria, the body can produce more energy, leading to increased energy levels and reduced fatigue.
Improved cognitive function: Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to cognitive decline. By supporting the function of mitochondria, mitochondrial support IV therapy may improve cognitive function.
Enhanced exercise performance: Mitochondrial support IV therapy can improve exercise performance by increasing energy production and reducing muscle fatigue.
Improved immune function: Mitochondrial support IV therapy can support the function of immune cells, leading to improved immune function.
UNDERSTANDING OXIDATIVE STRESS
What is oxidative stress?
Oxidative stress is a process that occurs in the body when there is an imbalance between the production of harmful molecules called free radicals and the body's ability to neutralize them with antioxidants. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and cause inflammation, which can lead to various diseases. Oxidative Stress refers to free radicals causing biological damage.
What causes oxidative stress?
Oxidative stress can be caused by a variety of factors including environmental pollutants, unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol consumption,malnutrition, malabsorption issues, insufficient sleep, aging, certain medications, “life”. In addition, the body's natural processes such as metabolism and inflammation can also produce free radicals.
What are the effects of oxidative stress on the body?
Oxidative stress can cause damage to proteins, DNA, and other important molecules in the body, leading to a variety of diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis are a few to name. It can also contribute to the aging process by damaging cells and tissues over time.
How can you reduce oxidative stress?
There are several ways to reduce oxidative stress, including:
Eating a healthy diet that is rich in antioxidants such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.
Limiting exposure to environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and chemicals.
Exercising regularly, which can increase the body's production of antioxidants.
Managing stress, which can reduce inflammation and the production of free radicals.
Taking certain supplements that act as powerful antioxidants.
It's important to note that while antioxidants can help reduce oxidative stress, taking excessive amounts of supplements may not be beneficial and can even be harmful.
In summary, oxidative stress is a natural process that occurs in the body, but excessive levels can lead to various diseases. By adopting a healthy lifestyle and incorporating antioxidant-rich foods and supplements, you can reduce oxidative stress and promote overall health and well-being.
Key IV ingredients to help reduce oxidative stress and support mitochondrial function:
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)
Vitamin C
Glutathione
ALA Alpha Lipoic Acid- Must give B complex when given IV
Magnesium
B12
Taurine
For more information about ANY of these ingredients or for studies/literature review; please don't hesitate to ask!
GLUTATHIONE
General Information
L-glutathione, or simply glutathione, is a powerful antioxidant composed of amino acids cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid. Glutathione has many functions within the body. It is vital to mitochondrial function, necessary for the production of DNA. Its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier means it plays an important role in removing toxins, such as mercury, from the brain and other cells. It is key in supporting immune function, metabolism, forming sperm cells, tissue building and repair, and helping with certain enzyme functions. As a powerful antioxidant, it may help fight the effects of free radicals, which cause oxidative stress, damage healthy cells and contribute to aging and certain degenerative illnesses. Unlike most antioxidants, glutathione can be made within the human liver. Glutathione can be found in every cell of the human body, almost all mammalian tissue and in many foods, including spinach and avocados, but is poorly absorbed by the body when consumed orally. Supplements that can support glutathione production include curcumin, N-acetylcysteine, selenium, silymarin, vitamin C and vitamin E. Glutathione levels in the body naturally decline as we age, but can also be reduced by factors like stress, malnutrition, and environmental toxins. One of the reasons why Glutathione is so important for optimum health is that it’s present in every cell in the body. One way antioxidants like glutathione help maintain good physical health is by neutralizing free radicals, which can cause cellular damage through oxidation. Since glutathione is naturally present within all types of cells, it is in a prime position to do this. It’s considered one of the most important antioxidants in the human body.
Benefits
Aging Process Delay-Physical Performance-Musculoskeletal Support-Mitochondrial Support-Autoimmunity-Ophthalmic Support-Cardiovascular Support-Reproductive / Fertility Support-Dermatologic Support-Hepatic Support-Neurologic Support-Renal Support-Non-insulin Dependent DM-Comorbidities of Obesity.
EnergyAnti-Aging/Neurotransmitter Support:
Promotes efficient ATP production (how our body makes energy)by fighting damage from oxidative stress which may also aid in the anti-aging processes.
Immune Support:
Improves immune function by its antioxidant effect (known as the mother of all antioxidants) and plays a key role in the maintenance and regulation of certain immunological functions, including the activation of lymphocytes and functional activity of natural killer (NK) cells.
Can aid the liver in metabolizing alcohol.
Can reduce the amount of fat stored in the belly.
May help reduce oxidative stress and improve complexion.
May improve immune response.
Helps metabolize toxins and activate enzymes.
Can aid the liver in metabolizing alcohol.
Can reduce the amount of fat stored in the belly.
May help reduce oxidative stress and improve complexion.
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID (ALA)
Alpha-lipoic Acid is an essential fatty acid. It is essential in the production of cellular energy due to its role as a co-factor in the Kreb’s cycle. It is also a powerful free radical scavenger, making it an extremely efficient antioxidant. It also regenerates other antioxidants through the donation of a molecule. Unlike Vitamin C, which is only water soluble, and Vitamin E which is only fat soluble, Alpha-lipoic acid is both a fat and water soluble antioxidant. This unique compound is able to enter all parts of the cell. It is able to penetrate the blood brain barrier and is even able to penetrate nerve cells. It is naturally occurring and is synthesized by the body. It can also be found in certain fruits and vegetables in small amounts. It improves oxygenation in all cells. Can be taken orally, but must be in the R-isomer form for greatest concentration. No difference in the R or S isomer forms when given intravenously.
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide): The “Master of Molecules”
The body’s cells and organ systems depend on an adequate supply of energy to function optimally. The mitochondria, known as the powerhouse of the cell, contain nutrients and enzymes that are important for cellular energy metabolism, including those that convert food to usable energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP functions as the key source of energy for all cells. In order to increase mitochondrial output, there must be adequate fuel supply for combustion and abundant antioxidants to scavenge free radical by-products. Preserving our energy reserves and increasing energy output is a critical part of maintaining optimal health.Lack of sleep, too much stress, poor nutrition, and prescription medications can draw on energy reserves, using them up faster than they can be replenished. Even the vital biologic systems can create an energy deficit that needs to be restored.
N-ACETYLCYSTEINE
N-Acetylcysteine, commonly abbreviated as NAC;NAC is a precursor to glutathione production, one of the body's most important antioxidants. You have probably heard of antioxidants, but few people understand how they work. Antioxidants are naturally found in foods that we eat, such as fruits and vegetables, and also available through supplements and medications.
Antioxidants fight free radicals in our body. Free radicals are important for certain functions, such as fighting infection; however, they are also linked to multiple illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Without antioxidants, free radicals would grow to high levels and quickly cause significant harm and eventually death. Free radical production is increased by things such as air pollution, alcohol use, high blood sugar, viral infections, and more. When free radicals outnumber antioxidants it can lead to a state called oxidative stress, and prolonged oxidative stress has negative consequences to our health.
NAC replenishes glutathione, the master antioxidant, our body is better able to regulate free radicals and promote overall health. In fact, reducing oxidative stress can improve gut health, muscle performance, and even slow the progression of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In addition to these major benefits, NAC has also shown to detoxify our liver and it is commonly used in hospitals to prevent liver damage with patients who have taken toxic levels of Tylenol. It may improve mood health by regulating glutamate, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for sending signals between our brain and the nerves in our body, AND it has been shown to improve infertility, improve testosterone utilization, and even help improve symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Basic Information
NAC is the supplemental form of the amino acid l-cysteine ( a critical amino acid for our health ) NAC aids in replenishing glutathione, which is the most important antioxidant in the body. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals which damage cells and body tissues. NAC is the supplemental form of the amino acid l-cysteine ( a critical amino acid for our health ) NAC aids in replenishing glutathione, which is the most important antioxidant in the body. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals which damage cells and body tissues. N-acetyl-cysteine, or NAC, is derived from the amino acid L-cysteine. Consuming adequate amounts of cysteine is critical to our health. One of the body’s most important antioxidants, glutathione, helps neutralize free radicals that can damage cells and tissues within the body. It is essential for immune health and for fighting off damage at the cellular level. NAC helps to replenish the glutathione in our bodies. It acts as a hepatoprotective agent by restoring hepatic glutathione, serving as a glutathione substitute. Cysteine is an antioxidant found in high-protein foods, such as chicken, turkey, yogurt, cheese, eggs, and legumes. NAC is the supplement form of cysteine. It is used to help many conditions, such as flu, dry eye, and kidney disease. It is used for cough and other lung conditions due to its antioxidant and expectorant properties of loosening the mucus in your airways and reducing the inflammation in your bronchial tubes and lung tissue. It is also used in emergency rooms to treat Tylenol® overdose. NAC helps in the regulation of glutamate, a neurotransmitter responsible for sending signals between the brain and nerves in the body. In conditions such as addiction, NAC may help with withdrawal symptoms and relapse.
Uses
Endocrine ( infertility, androgen support, adrenal support ) Immune health ( liver detoxification, replenishes glutathione levels ) Mood Health ( addictive behavior, psychiatric diseases such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and OCD ) Respiratory health ( mucolytic agent )
Benefits
Endocrine/Thyroid/Energy:
NAC can promote/improve androgen production (i.e. testosterone), accelerates antioxidant activity in the thyroid gland which helps support thyroid conversion/utilization and supports adrenal function. Improves PCOS symptoms and can improve androgen hormone utilization. NAC has also been found to help improve fertility as it plays an important role in germ cell survival.
Immune Health:
NAC is a precursor to glutathione production, glutathione is the body's master antioxidant. It also supports liver detoxification
Mood Health:
It is also thought that N-acetyl cysteine may improve psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder and addictive behaviors as well. NAC helps in the regulation of glutamate, a neurotransmitter responsible for sending signals between the brain and nerves in the body. In conditions, such as addiction, NAC can help decrease withdrawal symptoms and relapse.
Respiratory Health:
NAC can help treat respiratory conditions as well. N-acetylcysteine acts as an antioxidant and expectorant by loosening the mucus in your airways and reducing the inflammation in your bronchial tubes and lung tissue.
Addiction:
NAC is thought to improve symptoms and addiction in patients with cannabis use disorder/cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.
Gut Health:
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder which multiple casual factors can affect it. Human colitis has many similar characteristics to acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis, as a reproducible and simple model. Studies have indicated that some signaling pathways contributing in cell apoptosis and growth, angiogenesis, redoxregulated gene expression, and inflammatory response can be affected by NAC. Therefore, NAC may not only protect against the direct detrimental impacts of oxidants, but also advantageously modify inflammatory events in colitis (34). The beneficial influences of NAC were related to the changes including: Softened colonic injury,. Decreased oxidative stress, Lowered cell apoptosis, Increased recovery of the injured colon, and increased formation of the tight junction.
Muscle Performance:
Investigations showed no effect of NAC on non fatigued muscle, although after three minutes of repetitive contractions, it caused a considerably enhanced force output, up to approximately 15%. This means that NAC can improve muscle performance. This result originated from the fact that oxidative stress plays a causal role in the fatigue process, since NAC is a scavenger of free radicals causing oxidative stress. It has been well reported that infusion of NAC can be effective in enhancing the overall redox status in vivo. It has also been shown that NAC infusion could minimize muscle fatigue.
Parkinson Parkinson disease (PD)
Is a very prevalent neurodegenerative disorder caused by unknown deterioration of cells which generate dopamine in the pars compacta, a part of the substantial nigra located in the midbrain . In terms of pathogenesis, PD appears to be a multifactorial disorder, including environmental factors, acting on genetically vulnerable individuals when they are older. A wide range of both genetic and environmental factors have been proposed as contributing to the initiation and progression of PD, but aging is the single most important risk factor for this disorder and undoubtedly interferes in PD progression through its accumulative oxidative damage, decrease in antioxidant ability and impairment of mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity in the brain . Taking into account that most PD patients experience accumulative oxidative damage, some clinical studies have demonstrated the controversial effect of some antioxidant administrations -such as NAC- on treatment of PD. Some improvements have been reported for systemic administration of NAC in animal models, such as: i. Enhancement of brain level of glutathione, ii. Reduction of oxidative damage-markers, iii. Enhancement of brain synaptic and non-synaptic brain mitochondrial complex I activities, and iv. Protection against dopamine-induced cell death.
Alzheimer disease (AD)
Is known as a multifactorial disease with many abnormalities in physiological, biochemical, and neurochemical point of view. Aging is the major risk factor for AD that coexists with other causes of cognitive decline, particularly vascular dementia. Some factors, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal protein aggregation, metal accumulation, inflammation and excitotoxicity play important roles in AD pathology. Although the relationship between these factors and development of AD is multidirectional, oxidative damage is considered as a common thread linking some of these factors . Results of different studies showed that lipoic acid (LA) and NAC decreased levels of oxidative and apoptotic markers via protection of mitochondrial function. Combination of both LA and NAC maximizes this protective effect suggesting that this may prevent mitochondrial decay associated with aging and age-related disorders such as AD. Antioxidant therapies based on LA and NAC seem promising since they can act on mitochondria, one key source of oxidative stress in aging and neurodegeneration.
Asthma
Is a chronic disorder associated with inflammation and immune cell infiltration of airways. Airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) can be originated from the consistent presence of inflammatory mediators and immune cells in airways. AHR is clinically determined with breathlessness, coughing and wheezing symptoms. Studies showed the preventive effect of NAC antioxidant on the AHR and steroid resistant accumulation of inflammatory cells in the airways of the animal model with acute exacerbation of asthma
If you would like more information, including our literature review of the studies, please do not hesitate to ask for more information.