What is NAD+?
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in all living organisms. It is an essential molecule involved in various important processes and it plays a vital role in energy balance, promotion, and enhancement of cells, among other functions.
NAD+ has also been linked to potential benefits for improved mental clarity, athletic performance, deep sleep and longevity, which has generated significant interest in the field of health and wellness
NAD+ works as a transporter to carry electrons from one molecule to another within the cells of our body to help carry out various reactions. NAD+ and its counterpart, NADH, are vital in generating energy to power the many actions necessary for cell survival.
NAD is a key component of many physiological processes:
- Oxidative reactions. The transfer of electrons to and from other molecules to power reactions in the body.
- Enzyme activities. A necessary molecule for enzymes responsible for cell metabolism and the production of molecules used to maintain the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm).
- Cellular functions. That includes DNA repair, protein modifications, and immune cell function.
Researchers have found that we produce less NAD as we age. The depletion of NAD in mice has been connected to age-related conditions, like cognitive decline, cancer, and sarcopenia, which is the loss of skeletal mass and strength.
As a result, researchers have been studying the benefits of NAD supplements to determine if they can help prevent or reverse age-related conditions and prolong healthy lifespans. At the moment, it's unclear whether supplementing NAD or one of its precursors, NMN, is the best way to address the decline in NAD+ common with aging.
NAD supplement benefits
NAD has been in the news for decades because of its potential to support human longevity. Here are the five main potential benefits of NAD+ that scientists have found some evidence for thus far.
1. Slows down aging
There is no 'miracle drug' that can stop the aging process. However, NAD supplements may alter cellular processes that lead to physical and cognitive decline. Scientists have observed that a reduction in NAD+ levels in the body is linked to age-related disorders.
However, NAD+ supplements have only shown success in slowing down the aging process in mice — not in humans. The best way to boost NAD levels in humans is still unclear.
2. Increases energy
NAD appears to help deliver energy to the cells to improve their function. This, in turn, may help the body improve and sustain athletic performance by boosting energy levels, metabolism, and circulation. NAD is also believed to help protect muscles from degradation over time and allow the cellular processes that assist in muscle recovery after workouts.
3. Improves cognitive function
Reduced levels of NAD appear to be linked to neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This could be partly due to its role in protecting neurons (nerve cells). While most of this research has occurred in mice and rats thus far, researchers believe that NAD supplementation may play a similar role in decreasing the nerve-related inflammation associated with cognitive impairment in humans as well.
4. Reduces cholesterol
Both NAD+ and the NAD precursor, niacin, have been shown to have a beneficial effect on cholesterol. Specifically, niacin has been shown to lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol (AKA 'good cholesterol'). Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is crucial for lowering your risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.
5. Reduces cancer risk
NAD plays a critical role in cellular health, and the proposed benefits of increasing NAD levels may include the prevention, treatment, and arrest of certain types of cancer.
However, researchers have recently shown that NAD's role in cancer may be more complicated, and the energy boost it gives to cells could even enhance the uncontrolled cell growth that characterizes cancer.
More research is required to determine how NAD can target and destroy cancer cells and how it might encourage their growth under certain circumstances.
6. Improves sleep-wake cycle
Fluctuations in NAD+ are thought to play an important role in maintaining the circadian rhythm, and as peak levels decrease due to aging, the sleep-wake cycle is negatively affected. Sleep-wake abnormalities have been associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and heart disease in human studies.
Researchers have shown mice with sleep-wake cycle disturbances to have lower levels of NAD+ and are more likely to develop age-related disorders. However, more research is needed to determine if these findings will translate to humans.
7. Reduces inflammation
NAD+ may play a critical role in helping the body reduce inflammatory mediators and reduce the damaging effects of chronic inflammation. There is a growing body of research showing the benefits of NAD+ in reducing inflammation in various research studies involving mice.
Continued research is needed to determine if these benefits are also seen in humans and what effect NAD+ has on inflammation.
How you can effectively increase NAD levels
There are many different ways to increase the body's NAD+ levels, which can range from the use of supplements to natural methods. The following sections will discuss the various options available for increasing NAD+ levels.
