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Holistic Therapies Worth Researching, Part 2: LDN, NAD+, Chelation, Coffee Enemas, Castor Oil Packs, and Grounding
Six holistic therapies with devoted followings: low-dose naltrexone, NAD+, EDTA chelation, coffee enemas, castor oil packs, and grounding. Why people choose each, what the research shows, and what to know before you start.
MK Wellness InsightsFounded by Danielle Cordova, Cypress, TX
The second part of our holistic therapies series covers six options people ask us about often. Some have growing clinical research behind them, and some are rooted in long traditions of holistic practice. For each, here's why people choose it, what the research shows, and what to know before you start. Browse the full series in Holistic Health, Both Sides.
This is education, not medical advice, and it includes no doses on purpose.
Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
What it is. Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication used at standard doses for addiction. Low-dose naltrexone uses a small fraction of that dose, prescribed off-label, and it's become one of the most valued tools in functional and integrative medicine, especially for autoimmune conditions and chronic pain.
Why people choose it. At low doses, naltrexone briefly blocks opioid receptors, which prompts the body to increase its own endorphins, natural chemicals involved in pain relief and immune balance. It also appears to calm overactive immune cells in the nervous system. It's inexpensive, gentle, and well tolerated, and many people with autoimmune conditions describe it as life-changing.
What the research shows. Clinical trials have reported benefits for fibromyalgia pain (including studies at Stanford), Crohn's disease, and quality of life in multiple sclerosis. Research continues to grow.
What to know before you start. It requires a prescription, so work with an integrative or functional physician. Vivid dreams or trouble sleeping are common at first. It can't be combined with opioid pain medications.
NAD+
What it is. NAD+ is a molecule every cell needs to make energy and repair DNA. Levels decline with age, so people support it through IV infusions or supplements the body converts to NAD+, called NR and NMN.
Why people choose it. NAD+ sits at the center of mitochondrial energy and the enzymes linked to repair and healthy aging. Many people report more energy, mental clarity, and resilience after NAD+ therapy, and it's a cornerstone of many longevity programs.
What the research shows. Animal studies show benefits for metabolism, muscle, and aging. In people, NR and NMN reliably raise NAD+ levels and are well tolerated, and clinical research on outcomes is growing. Our article on mitochondrial health covers the bigger picture.
What to know before you start. IV NAD+ can cause chest tightness, nausea, or flushing if infused too quickly, so an experienced provider matters. Supplements are generally well tolerated.
EDTA Chelation Therapy
What it is. Chelation uses EDTA, given by IV, to bind metals so the body can excrete them. It's FDA-approved for lead poisoning, and integrative physicians also use it for heavy metal burden and cardiovascular health.
Why people choose it. Heavy metals like lead and cadmium accumulate over a lifetime and are linked to inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Chelation is used to reduce that burden, and many patients report feeling better afterward.
What the research shows. The large Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT), published in 2013, found that people who'd had a heart attack and received chelation had fewer future cardiovascular events, with the strongest benefit in people with diabetes. A follow-up trial in people with diabetes, TACT2, reported in 2024 and did not find the same benefit, so research continues.
What to know before you start. Chelation must be given by a trained physician, since the wrong form or dose can dangerously lower calcium, and it can also remove essential minerals, which should be replenished.
Coffee Enemas
What it is. A coffee enema introduces brewed, cooled coffee into the colon. It's best known from Gerson therapy, developed in the 1930s, and remains part of many holistic detox programs.
Why people choose it. Practitioners use coffee enemas to stimulate the liver and gallbladder to release bile and support detoxification. Animal research has found that compounds in coffee increase glutathione S-transferase, a key detox enzyme. Many people describe feeling lighter, clearer, and more energized afterward.
What the research shows. Most of the support comes from the Gerson tradition and clinical experience, along with the animal research on coffee compounds.
What to know before you start. Always use coffee cooled to body temperature, since hot coffee can burn. Frequent use can affect electrolytes, so balance minerals. Avoid them with bowel disease, heart conditions, or pregnancy, and learn from an experienced practitioner. Our 5 daily detox habits cover everyday ways to support the same pathways.
Castor Oil Packs
What it is. A cloth soaked in castor oil is placed on the skin, usually over the abdomen or liver area, often with gentle heat. It's a classic naturopathic practice.
Why people choose it. Castor oil's main component, ricinoleic acid, has anti-inflammatory properties. People use castor oil packs to support digestion, liver health, lymph flow, and relaxation, and the evening ritual of resting with warmth is restorative in itself.
What the research shows. A study in older adults found castor oil packs eased constipation symptoms, and research on ricinoleic acid supports its anti-inflammatory effects.
What to know before you start. Very low risk for most people. Do a skin test first, avoid broken skin, and avoid during pregnancy.
Grounding (Earthing)
What it is. Grounding means direct skin contact with the earth, like walking barefoot on grass, sand, or soil, or using conductive mats indoors.
Why people choose it. The earth carries a natural electrical charge, and grounding is thought to let the body take in free electrons that may help calm inflammation and rebalance the nervous system. It's free, simple, and reconnects people with nature.
What the research shows. Studies have reported improvements in sleep, cortisol rhythms, inflammation markers, blood flow, and muscle soreness. Time outdoors, sunlight, and nature exposure also have well-documented benefits for stress and mood.
What to know before you start. Very low risk outdoors. With indoor grounding products, follow the manufacturer's instructions. It pairs naturally with nervous system support.
MK Wellness services are non-medical and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. MK Wellness does not offer or administer LDN, NAD+ IVs, chelation, or enemas. This article is general education sharing practitioners' perspectives and the published research, deliberately without doses, and is not medical advice. Explore these therapies with a qualified practitioner, especially if you take medications, are pregnant, or have a medical condition.
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About MK Wellness
MK Wellness was founded by Danielle Cordova after years of searching for real answers for her own family. Our Insights follow The MK Way: root cause over symptoms, the whole body as one system, and honest reporting on what the evidence does and doesn't show. This article is for general education, not medical advice.
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