What is NAD+?

In the conversation surrounding longevity, healthy aging, and wellness, talk surrounding NAD+ is rising. But what is it? What does NAD+ mean? Who is affected by NAD+ and what should we watch out for?

NAD+ is a co-enzyme the body uses during cellular energy production. It’s a critical component the mitochondria—the powerhouse of a cell—needs to properly function. Scientists have begun to understand NAD+ levels and where they affect immune support, cognitive function, DNA repair, metabolic regulation, and more.

As our understanding of NAD+ grows, so too does our ability to harness its power for longevity, cognitive health, and optimal health.

Understanding NAD+

NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Its primary function is to transfer electrons between cellular molecules, driving production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the central energy of the cell. It’s also part of the citric acid cycle, the electron transport chain, and glycolysis.

Two forms of Vitamin B3 make up NAD+. They are nicotinamide and nicotinic acid. Both are synthesized naturally in the body and are responsible for metabolic chemical reactions at the cellular level as well as cellular communication.

NAD+ is a cell regenerator as well, and this vital co-enzyme has a multitude of functions within the body aside from energy production. The benefits of NAD+ for longevity cannot be understated.

The Functions of NAD+ in the Body

Energy Production

NAD+’s main purpose is electron transfer between molecules of the cell. This produces ATP, the cell’s energy currency, which the mitochondria uses to function and power the cell.

DNA Repair

NAD+ is a critical catalyst for repairing DNA, as it’s a substrate for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), particularly PARP1, PARP2, and PARP3. In the context of age-related diseases and neurodegeneration, NAD+ supplementation has been shown to positively impact DNA repair and affect telomere function, which plays a role in the health and longevity of cells.

Cell Signaling for Sirtuin Activation

Sirtuins are the enzymes involved in gene expression, metabolism, stress response, and aging. NAD+ is a substrate in which sirtuins are activated. 

Sirtuins are an important family of proteins with significant cellular functions, including mitochondrial biogenesis, cellular stress resistance, inflammatory responses, circadian rhythm regulation, and other areas of the aging process.

NAD+, activating sirtuins through its function as a substrate, helps regulate gene expression and supports cellular homeostasis. NAD+ longevity and metabolic health shows a lot of promise for future research.

Oxidative Stress Response

NAD+ protects cells against oxidative damage, which contributes to aging at the cellular level. By helping cells cope with oxidative challenges, NAD+ builds antioxidant defense mechanisms to manage oxidative stress.

Metabolic Regulation

Another important function is regulating metabolic homeostasis. NAD+ lies at the heart of metabolism, and influences enzymes involved in glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism to regulate metabolic function and nutrient utilization. The yeast sirtuin, which is considered the longevity protein, is dependent on NAD+ for its lifespan-promoting effects.

Circadian Rhythms

The same study has shown that healthy circadian rhythms are influenced by increasing NAD+ levels, which can then also activate sirtuins. This creates a cyclical improvement contributing to DNA repair, which plays a related role in longevity.

Neuroprotection

NAD+ supports brain health and has the potential to slow age-related cognitive decline. Multiple NAD+ dependent enzymes are part of synaptic plasticity and neuronal stress resistance. Recent research has shown understanding NAD+ related neuronal resilience may lead to new approaches for the treatment of a range of neurological disorders.

How Can I Get More NAD+?

Dietary Changes

Foods rich in NAD+ precursors— niacin, nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)—will boost NAD+ levels to some degree:

• Sources of Niacin: beef liver, chicken or turkey breast, tuna (particularly yellowfin), salmon, avocados, nuts and seeds, brown rice, barley, green peas.
• Sources of NR: kefir, kombucha, milk (at least 3 glasses per day), brewer’s yeast,
• Sources of NMN: certain mushrooms, edamame, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, and shrimp.

Lifestyle Changes

Along with dietary modifications, intermittent fasting has been linked to improved NAD+ levels. As a substrate for sirtuin activation, and the identification of the longevity protein Sir2 being NAD+ dependent, boosting NAD+ levels is a powerful method for metabolic transformation and longevity. You should speak to a healthcare professional for guidance on this approach.

Because studies show elevated oxidative stress can deplete NAD+ levels, the opposite is true. Stress management techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can maintain NAD+ levels.

Physical exertion can boost NAD+ levels and NAMPT, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, a key skeletal muscle enzyme. Because NAD+ is linked to cellular energy production, and exercise increases energy demand, physical stimuli improves NAD+ and NAMPT levels for skeletal muscle maintenance and function, and limits age-related muscle decline.

Obeying Circadian Rhythms

As part of NAD homeostasis, NAD+ levels cycle with the body’s circadian rhythm. Matching the natural sleep-wake cycle optimizes NAD+ production just as sleep disruption can negatively impact NAD+ levels.

Supplements

NAD+ supplements can boost levels more directly than diet and lifestyle modifications. Choosing high-quality supplementation through reputable providers like EllieMD can help you increase NAD+ in therapeutic amounts to enhance longevity and optimize overall health and wellness. We offer a NAD+ injection in two tiers for targeted dosing or NAD+ nasal spray for a different medication uptake method.

Infusion Therapy

Intravenous NAD+ therapy is often used to treat chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and certain neurodegenerative diseases. NAD+ infusions deliver the coenzyme through an IV directly into the bloodstream or into specific areas of the body for immediate uptake and benefits.

Infusion therapy is performed in medical facilities or clinics with specialized equipment and licensed medical personnel.

Red Light Therapy

Exposing the body to low-level red light is shown to stimulate mitochondria, the energy-producing powerhouse of the cell. Red light therapy can indirectly increase NAD+ levels, and is often prescribed for chronic pain, skin conditions, and wound healing.

Red light therapy is performed in a medical setting with licensed medical professionals.

Do NAD+ Supplements Have Side Effects?

Because NAD+ is a coenzyme naturally produced in the body, people frequently experience very few side effects. Those who are sensitive to an increase in NAD+ in their system may respond with mild side effects, such as headaches, fatigue, skin flushing, vertigo, nausea, and some digestive discomfort. Side effects are often temporary and diminish over time.

How Long Before I Can Feel Results?

Many EllieMD clients describe feeling immediate results with NAD+ supplementation, thanks to our quick uptake methods of administration. Effects are rapid, with increased energy, boosted mood, and greater mental clarity within a few minutes to a few hours after the injection or using the spray.

For more information, visit our product pages for the NAD+ injection or the NAD+ nasal spray to get started!