Does Exercise Increase NAD+ Levels?

There is a rising interest in NAD+ and longevity, with more people becoming aware of how they can live a healthier life that optimises their bodies. People who are aware of biohacking and longevity are often eager to know how to increase NAD+ naturally.

Exercise is often recommended as an answer, but how does it actually work?

The short answer is that exercise does help with NAD+ levels, but it has limits. It’s good to know how exercise can help, what types of exercise help and how you can combine it with supplementation for boosted NAD+ levels.

Understanding NAD

NAD+ is the oxidised form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme involved in many cellular processes. It is heavily involved in cellular energy production, helping to produce ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), every cell’s main energy source.

NAD+ is involved in mitochondrial metabolism, DNA-repair-related biology, and metabolic processes.

With all these benefits, the downside is that NAD+ declines as you age. As you age, your body experiences more wear and tear and the demand for NAD+ increases as you become less efficient at producing it. As there is less cellular repair, people can show more obvious signs of ageing, such as wrinkles and fatigue.

Does Exercise Increase NAD+ Levels?

Yes, in a roundabout way.

Exercise temporarily changes cellular energy demand and can influence the NAD+/NADH balance. NADH is used to make ATP, leading to the ratio favouring NAD+. With increased NAD+, you get the activation of sirtuins to enhance your metabolism and improve cell health, which both support exercise.

Exercise has been associated with changes in NAMPT, an enzyme involved in NAD+ metabolism.

NAD+ and Metabolism Adaptation

Muscle contractions during exercise increase energy demand. To combat this metabolic stress, your NAD+ levels can increase in the recovery phase. With regular training, the body adapts in several ways, including changes in muscle metabolism and NAD-related enzymes.

How Different Types of Exercise Affect NAD+

Different types of exercise can impact NAD+ levels in different ways.

Endurance Training

Endurance exercise and NAD+ are linked as the former leads to mitochondrial biogenesis, the increase in mitochondria. This type of training also leads to an increase in demand for ATP and NAD+. Regular endurance exercise means that your body adapts to this demand, improving NAD+ recycling to meet your metabolic needs.

High-Intensity Training

As the NAD+/NADH ratio shifts to meet your energy demands, enzymes such as PARPs and sirtuins are activated. They are key to cellular stress response and repair, supporting endurance and muscle recovery.

Practising high-intensity training can have its benefits, but there are risks if you overdo it. Excessive training can lead to chronic muscle soreness, an increased risk of injury, and chronic fatigue when you don’t give your body time to recover.

Resistance Training

Resistance training will improve your muscle health and metabolic efficiency, supporting metabolic rate and helping you use energy more efficiently.

This type of exercise is associated with NAMPT production, which is key in the NAD+ recycling process.

The Limits of Exercise Alone

No matter how well you live, age-related decline still occurs. Continuing to be active is great, but excessive training without adequate recovery can increase injury risk, fatigue, and physical stress.

Every time you exercise, your body needs NAD+ to repair cells. As you age, your body becomes less efficient at repairing your muscles after workouts. That means that as you get older, recovery becomes even more important, and you need to give your body time to heal between exercises so that you get the benefits of being active.

NAD+ Supplementation vs Exercise – Or Both?

In isolation, exercise and supplementation can help NAD+ levels, but perhaps not as much as you want.

To get the best out of each method, you could consider combining the two. Exercise is the lifestyle foundation that you need to put in place (along with a good diet), whilst supplementation is a targeted intervention, enhancing the naturally boosted NAD+ levels you are producing by living well.

If you take supplements but live a sedentary lifestyle, you’re unlikely to see benefits. No amount of supplementation is a substitute for movement and healthily fuelling your body.

NAD+ supplementation can work in synergy with exercise, as it aims to improve energy levels before or after a workout. What matters is finding a routine that supports your body and health safely.

Who May Benefit Most From Additional NAD+ Support

There are some groups, more than others, that may get more benefit out of getting additional NAD+ into their system.

Adults over 35 to 40 – NAD+ decline with age is inevitable and begins in your mid-30s, with levels potentially reducing by 50% after 40. NAD+ supplementation can help with age-related decline so that you can optimise your body to its actual potential.

High performers and athletes – Regular exercise and activity require more energy. People who exercise regularly may be interested in NAD+ as part of a broader training and recovery routine.

Individuals under chronic stress – Stress is not only bad for your mental health, but your physical health too. NAD+ is involved in cellular processes related to stress responses and oxidative balance in the body. All this can contribute to reducing stress.

Those experiencing fatigue or slow recovery: NAD+ can help with energy production, cellular repair and reducing inflammation to help people who are fatigued have more energy and improve recovery time from illnesses.

How NAD+ AT HOME Complements an Active Lifestyle

Our NAD+ supplements support recovery and cellular repair, helping to boost your energy and aid with exercise. With products such as our NAD Injection Pen, we offer convenient at-home NAD+ therapy that doesn’t break the bank and can slip into your daily routine with ease.

You must remember, though, that NAD+ supplements aren’t a magic bullet. They cannot fight back against unhealthy living and will only enhance the healthy living you should be engaging in. Together with healthy eating and regular exercise, our NAD+ supplements can support an active lifestyle.

Take the First Step Towards Combining Exercise and NAD+ Supplementation Today

Exercise is an essential component of a healthy and active lifestyle. It can boost your physical and mental health and make you realise what you’re capable of. Cellular health is central to exercise, and NAD+ supports your cells in many ways, with supplementation that assists long-term results.

If you are interested in exploring sustainable and balanced longevity strategies, contact us today. You can also take a look at our range of products and start your journey towards a healthier and more active life.