Interest in NAD+ has surged in recent years. Celebrities, athletes, biohackers, and normal people looking to optimise their health have all pointed out how important NAD+ is in living more healthily.

Many people are interested in this molecule because of its many benefits and how central it is to cellular function and other processes in the body.

Beyond the more eye-catching theories of how NAD+ is linked to looking and feeling younger, this molecule has a key relationship with and an underappreciated and important bodily process: metabolism.

So, how are NAD+ and metabolism linked? Is there scientific evidence to back this up, and can NAD+ supplements help enhance your metabolism?

Let’s dive in.

What is NAD+?

NAD+ is the oxidised version of the molecule Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide. This is a coenzyme that is present in every living cell. Being a coenzyme means that it helps enzymes carry out their functions.

It is key to various processes in the body, including energy production, DNA repair and helping with cellular health and improving longevity.

NAD+ also has anti-inflammatory uses and may help recover from illness and regulate stress and other negative emotions. Its importance to cell health, combating oxidative stress and DNA repair means it is a sought-after supplement when it comes to improving skin health and lessening the obvious signs of ageing.

Our bodies produce NAD+ naturally, so you can help increase your levels through exercising, having a balanced diet and implementing portion control into your life.

Understanding Metabolism

Metabolism is the process of your body turning things you consume, food and drink, into energy. This happens through chemical reactions that take place in your cells; there are two simultaneous processes happening: anabolism and catabolism.

Catabolism – This is the breakdown of larger nutrients (protein, carbohydrates) into smaller, simpler forms that become the fuel for your cells.

Anabolism – This is the opposite, where small molecules change into larger, more complex forms. Important for building muscles, recovering from injuries and storing energy.

Your metabolism never stops and is important to your overall health. A healthy metabolism means that your body is using the energy you are providing with it efficiently—aiding with maintaining a healthy weight and supporting cellular growth.

Some people can naturally have a slower or faster metabolism, but it is never the sole cause for struggling to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Factors such as age, muscle mass, and physical activity will all have an impact on your metabolism.

The Science Behind NAD+ and Metabolism

Metabolic pathways are the sequences that turn molecules into something that can be used for energy by your body. NAD+ is intimately involved in these processes and crucial to their occurring efficiently.

NAD+ is particularly important in energy production and improving energy levels. It does this by boosting the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the molecule that takes energy to where it is needed.

The mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells, produce most of the ATP in your body. NAD+ helps with the transport of electrons and maintaining mitochondrial health.

Other metabolic pathways in which NAD+ is involved include:

Glycolysis – This is the breakdown of sugars into fuel. A study from 2020 has suggested that NAD plays a key role in this metabolic pathway.

Krebs cycle – This is a series of reactions that happen in the mitochondria to produce energy. NAD+ helps with this by accepting electrons and becoming NADH—reduced NAD. This NADH then carries electrons to help produce ATP.

Other studies, such as this one from 2021, have found that NAD+ may be important in regulating energy metabolism and boosted levels could help with metabolic disorders, such as diabetes.

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NAD+ Levels and Ageing

Everyone ages, unfortunately, and this means your body starts to slow down. This happens down to the cellular level, which is why the science backs up that NAD+ levels decrease as you age.

This decline seems to begin after you turn 30 and decreases sharply once you hit your 40s and beyond. It seems this decline occurs due to the natural wear and tear of life. NAD+ is important to so many cellular processes. Other enzymes such as PARPS, CD38 and SARM1 are consuming more and more NAD to keep your body functioning.

Ageing affects metabolism because these enzymes decrease NAMPT activity, which is crucial in synthesising NAD in your body. As NAD synthesis becomes less efficient, your NAD levels decrease. This will affect mitochondrial health and lower your resting metabolic rate—meaning your body becomes less efficient at converting the things you consume into energy when you are not being active.

If you combine this with the fact that people are generally less active as they get older and lose muscle, this all contributes to a slower metabolism in later life.

Can NAD+ Boost Metabolism?

Exploration into the benefits of NAD+ is still in the early stages, as the molecule itself is only just becoming more widely known.

It is a promising beginning though, as some studies seem to support the claims that NAD+ could help with your metabolism. This study from 2015 found that NAD+ may be important in influencing metabolic pathways and can improve the body’s ability to adapt to different energy demands. Another from 2021 suggested that a decrease in NAD+ levels can contribute to metabolic disorders.

Not only supplements could help with boosting NAD+ either, as this study from 2025 has put forward that acute exercise may help boost NAD+ metabolism.

Especially in older people, boosting NAD+ could be seen as a promising therapeutic approach to aiding the metabolism.

With these studies and all the others, it is presented as a given that NAD+ is integral to various processes that aid metabolism. As more studies are done and begin to shift towards human trials, hopefully, more conclusive recommendations for NAD+ treatment will be readily available.

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Support Your Metabolism Naturally

More is being discovered about NAD+ every day, and its role in metabolism is hard to argue with.

Having more NAD+ in your system could help your body function more efficiently. Supplementation, along with diet and exercise, could allow you to be more energetic and help you reach your physical and mental peak.

If you are considering supplementation, you should consult a healthcare professional to ensure you are being safe and responsible.

If you’re looking to improve your skin, boost your energy and reduce pain, then our shop at NAD+ At Home is full of safe and scientifically backed products to help you reach your potential.

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Is There a Link Between NAD+ and Metabolism?