Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide

NAD+: A Molecule Crucial For Your Health

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or NAD+ is a crucial coenzyme found in every cell in the body, involved in many processes including energy metabolism, cell signaling, and DNA maintenance and repair.1, 2, 3

Why is NAD+ so important for your body?

The role of NAD+ in health is critical because it is central to the process of energy production in cells and acts as a regulator of cell signaling and DNA repair mechanisms. Having adequate levels of NAD+ is associated with better cellular health and function, slower aging, and a healthier metabolism. However, NAD+ levels decline with age, which makes it a target for interventions aimed at promoting healthspan and combating age-related diseases.3

How to maintain good levels of NAD+?

While there are different strategies to increase NAD+ levels in the body, such as exercise and dietary modifications, supplementation with NAD+ precursors like nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has been shown to be effective. NR in particular has been suggested to be a potent NAD+ booster, capable of potentially reversing certain aspects of aging and improving metabolic health.1, 2, 3

For those considering supplementation, it’s generally recommended to aim for a daily dose of up to 1,000 mg of NR to raise NAD+ levels. It's suggested that this can be accompanied by a methyl donor like choline or SAMe to support the metabolic pathways involved in NAD+ synthesis.1

However, potential users should exercise caution, as not all purported benefits of NAD+ supplementation have been conclusively proven in humans. For instance, some human studies have failed to show a significant impact on NAD+ concentrations in muscle tissue or mitochondrial function after supplementation with nicotinamide riboside.3, 4

Let’s sum up

In summary, NAD+ is a vital molecule with wide-ranging effects on cellular health, energy metabolism, and longevity. Strategies to maintain or increase NAD+ levels include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and potentially supplementation with NAD+ precursors like NR. Nonetheless, while promising, these interventions are not magic bullets, and supplementation should be approached with due consideration of the existing scientific evidence and potential individual variations in response.

References

• 1) Cheating Death  
  The new science of living longer and better
  Book | 2023 | Dr. Rand McClain

• 2) Young Forever  
  The secrets to living your longest, healthiest life (The Dr. Hyman Library, 11)
  Book | 2023 | Dr. Mark Hyman

• 3) Defy Aging  
  A beginner's guide to the new science of longer life and better health
  Book | 2021 | Beth Bennett

• 4) Eat for Energy  
  How to beat fatigue, supercharge your mitochondria, and unlock all-day energy
  Book | 2022 | Ari Whitten, Alex Leaf, M.S.