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Quote of the day:

“You are never too old to become younger!”

– Mae West

NAD

What is it?

NAD (short for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a complex molecule that is found in every cell in our bodies. It plays an important role in various cellular processes, including metabolism and energy production. NAD helps our cells turn the food we eat into energy that we need to function and stay alive. If you did not have NAD, you would die in 30 seconds.

NAD acts as an electron carrier and can move electrons back and forth between its oxidized and reduced forms (NAD+ and NADH). This fundamental process is what generates most of the energy our cells need to carry out their functions. NAD is also important for repairing DNA. Over time, our DNA can become damaged due to various factors such as exposure to UV radiation, toxins, or just normal wear and tear. NAD helps to repair this damage, which is important for keeping our cells healthy.

NAD helps with healthy aging, controls insulin levels, helps liver function, controls blood sugar, metabolic syndrome, and better mitochondria function.

If you want to learn about the biology and science here are videos, books, and podcasts I recommend.

• The Human Upgrade Podcast with Dave Asprey & Dr. Nichola Conlon

• Dave Asprey book: Superhuman

• Mark Hyman Youtube video Masterclass

• Huberman Labs with Dr David Sinclair

Why does it matter?

NAD+ is a molecule that is crucial for mitochondrial maintenance and gene regulation in aging. Aging can cause damage to DNA, and the body must continually repair it, making NAD+ critical to this process. Unfortunately, NAD levels decrease exponentially as we age, with a 90% decrease from age 0-90. This decline in NAD is concerning, as it is involved in many key functions, including the activation of longevity proteins in the body.

The decline in NAD+ levels as we age has been linked to various age-related diseases and conditions including accelerated aging, metabolic disorders, heart disease, and neurodegeneration. However, researchers believe that boosting NAD+ levels could help to slow down the aging process and improve overall health. Replenishing NAD+ levels has been shown to have anti-aging effects in animal models, with promising results in reversing age-related diseases and increasing lifespan and healthspan in humans. Because of this, NAD+ has become an area of great interest in the field of anti-aging research.

There is a lot of research around ways to boost NAD+ levels in the body, such as through supplementation with precursors like NR and NMN, to potentially slow down the aging process and improve health outcomes. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are two types of molecules that serve as precursors (building blocks) for the production of NAD+.

How to add into your daily routine?

Increasing NAD+ levels can be achieved naturally through a healthy diet and exercise but supplementing with NAD+ has been shown to provide several potential benefits for our health and well-being.

1. Supplementation with NAD+ precursors: Certain compounds can be taken as supplements that can increase the body's production of NAD+. For example, nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are precursors of NAD+ that have been shown to increase NAD+ levels in the body. Link to what I take.

2. Caloric restriction & Fasting: Intermittent fasting or calorie restriction has been shown to increase NAD+ levels.

3. Exercise: Exercise has been shown to stimulate the production of NAD+.

4. Reducing exposure to environmental stressors: Reducing exposure to toxins and oxidative stress can help preserve NAD+ levels in the body.

5. Heat therapy: Spending time in saunas, hot tubs, and heated pools may also increase production of NAD+.

Here is more information from the brand TruNiagen (which is what I take) on how supplementing for NAD works. In summary, supplementing with NAD+ is not as effective as the precursor supplements NR and NMN. NR is a form of vitamin B3 that is naturally present in milk and other foods. When NR is ingested, it is metabolized by the body and converted into NAD+, in this pathway, NR is first converted to NMN, which is then converted to NAD+.

Both NR and NMN have been shown to be effective in increasing NAD+ levels in various tissues and organs in animals and humans. While more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of NR and NMN supplementation, these molecules show promise as a way to support healthy aging and improve overall health.

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