The Science of NAD+
NAD+ is a Fundamental Building Block of Cellular Metabolism
NAD+ is a coenzyme naturally found in every cell of your body, playing essential roles in cellular metabolism and DNA repair. Our cells use NAD+ like a form of energy currency during metabolic processes, helping to convert food and nutrients into the energy our cells need to function. NAD+ is essential for the function of mitochondria, the cellular machinery for energy production, and enzymes such as sirtuins and PARPs.
Because of this, NAD+ helps cells perform maintenance on their DNA, helps our bodies regulate immune responses and inflammation, and helps our systems be resilient to stress, all processes that are vital for healthy aging.
NAD+ Levels Decrease with Age
Our cells are constantly producing, using, and recycling NAD+ in order to function. However, as we age our overall NAD+ levels decline¹. Measurements from human skin suggest that by the time we're in our 50s, our NAD+ levels can be less than half of what they were when we were born², and measurements from human liver showed a 30% reduction in NAD+ levels between age 45 and 60³. NAD+ measurements in the brain also observed a decrease in NAD+ levels over the lifespan⁴.
As NAD+ levels drop with age, our cells and their mitochondria become less efficient, and many pathways, including inflammatory and cellular repair pathways, become dysregulated⁵. This decline is believed to be a key contributor to age-related issues like fatigue, cognitive decline, and increased susceptibility to disease⁶, especially metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders⁷.
Nicotinamide Effectively Supplements NAD+ Levels
NAD+ is a large molecule and is poorly absorbed by the gut. Nicotinamide is an NAD+ precursor, a molecule that the body can easily convert into NAD+⁸, and is absorbed much more efficiently from oral supplements⁹.
Clinical trials have shown that nicotinamide taken orally is both well-tolerated⁹, and effectively boosts NAD+ levels¹⁰. Studies of oral nicotinamide supplementation has even found support for positive health outcomes such as reducing risk for skin cancer¹¹.
NAD+ Supplements Support Healthy Bodies and Healthy Aging
By boosting NAD+ levels, supplements can improve cellular health and renewal, help restore mitochondrial function, and enhance cellular energy production, all of which can support potentially slowing down or even reversing some aspects of aging.
Learn more about the role of NAD+ in cardiovascular health, inflammation, and other body systems.
Read the Research
1. The Plasma NAD+ Metabolome Is Dysregulated in “Normal” Aging
2. Age-Associated Changes In Oxidative Stress and NAD+ Metabolism In Human Tissue
3. Hepatic NAD+ deficiency as a therapeutic target for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in ageing
6. NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing
7. The Role of NAD+ in Regenerative Medicine
8. Quantitative Analysis of NAD Synthesis-Breakdown Fluxes
10. Nicotinamide suppresses hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients
11. A Phase 3 Randomized Trial of Nicotinamide for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention