When it comes to all things health, wellness, and anti-ageing, very few molecules have gained as much attention as NAD+. If you’re looking to improve energy levels, slow ageing, or support overall health, understanding the potential NAD is essential.
But what exactly is NAD, why is it so important for our bodies, and why is everyone in the health and wellness community talking about it?
This article covers everything you need to know about NAD. What it is, how it works, the benefits, how you can potentially boost your levels naturally and the best supplements to try.
What’s NAD+?
NAD ( (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every living cell. It plays a big role in our energy production, DNA repair, and overall cellular function. In other words, without NAD, our bodies wouldn’t be able to function properly.
There’s two main functions: energy production, DNA repair, and longevity.
✔ Energy production: NAD helps with converting the food we eat into energy. It helps mitochondria (the cells that generate the most energy) produce adenosine triphosphate (the cells that carry energy to our living cells), which fuels all bodily functions.
✔ DNA repair & longevity: NAD is required by enzymes called sirtuins, which can help with repairing damaged DNA and regulate ageing processes. Without adequate NAD, cells can become damaged and age faster.
What are NAD Levels?
When you hear someone talking about NAD levels, all they are referring to is the amount of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in the body.
These levels will naturally decline as we age, typically starting to decrease in our late 30s and then dropping more significantly after 40. However, there are many varying factors to consider which can speed up the decline of natural NAD levels, which include (but aren’t limited to!):
✔ Stress
✔ Poor diet
✔ Lack of exercise
✔ Excessive alcohol consumption
If you have low NAD levels, you may experience fatigue, a slower metabolism, cognitive decline, and faster ageing. So, maintaining or increasing NAD levels has been known to support energy, brain function, and overall health.
Why is NAD+ So Important?
NAD is essential because it supports:
✔ Energy production
✔ Brain function
✔ Healthy ageing
✔ Muscle function
✔ Immune system regulation
✔ Metabolism
Why Does NAD+ Decline with Age?
As we get older, our bodies go through lots (and lots) of changes. Unfortunately, one of them is a drop in NAD+ levels.
Our natural levels of NAD drop because the body starts making less of it whilst also breaking it down faster. Our cells rely on NAD+ for energy production and repair, but as we age, certain enzymes that consume NAD+ become more active. At the same time, our ability to create new NAD+ also slows down.
The body also has special molecules that help recycle NAD+, but with age, these systems become less efficient. And as NAD+ is important for keeping cells healthy, its reduction can lead to lower energy, slower metabolism, and a higher risk of age-related diseases.
What Are the Key Benefits of Having Healthy Levels of NAD+?
There are many clear benefits of making sure your body has healthy levels of NAD, but the main ones involve anti-ageing, increased energy levels, better brain health, improved metabolic function, and immune system support.
Muscle Recovery, Energy Production and Cellular Function
NAD is key in cellular metabolism, as it helps facilitate the conversion of nutrients into usable energy.
How it works: NAD acts as a coenzyme in metabolic reactions, helping transport electrons needed to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of the body.
Why it matters: ATP is essential for normal cell function, and without enough NAD, cellular energy production can decline. This may contribute to feelings of fatigue and reduced endurance.
NAD is also linked with muscle function and physical performance, particularly in relation to how cells generate energy and recover from exercise.
Our NAD levels play a role in ATP production, which is essential for muscle contraction and endurance.
Some studies suggest that NAD may be involved in muscle recovery processes after exercise.
Brain Health and Improved Cognitive Function
NAD is involved in multiple processes related to neurological function, and it participates in pathways that regulate neurotransmitter levels – which are essential for cognitive functions such as memory, focus, and our ability to learn.
Our brains are also susceptible to oxidative stress and DNA damage. NAD is a cofactor for the enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), which help repair damaged DNA in neurons.
Improved Metabolism Function, Cellular Repair and Anti-Ageing Abilities
Ageing is associated with a decline in NAD levels – which may contribute to reduced cellular efficiency. Here are just a few ways in which having healthy NAD levels improves the ageing process:
Activates sirtuins: NAD+ activates sirtuins, proteins which are directly linked to longevity and cellular repair.
Enhances DNA repair: Helps repair damaged DNA, reducing age-related decline.
Improves mitochondrial function – Supports energy production, reducing fatigue and cellular ageing.
Reduces inflammation: Lowers chronic inflammation, a main factor associated with ageing.
Supports brain health: Protects neurons, improving memory and cognitive function.
Boosts metabolism: Nad can enhance metabolic efficiency, which helps with weight management.
Increases stem cell function: Promotes tissue regeneration and repair.
Immune System Support and Inflammation Regulation
Optimal NAD levels have been linked to immune function and inflammatory responses:
White blood cell function: Some promising studies suggest that NAD-dependent pathways are involved in the activation of macrophages and other immune cells that help protect the body from infections.
Inflammatory Response: NAD may play a role in regulating inflammation through its impact on sirtuins and other enzymes involved in immune signalling.
Can You Boost NAD+ Levels Naturally?
There are a few ways we can potentially boost our levels of NAD naturally:
Exercise, in the form of high-intensity workouts, weight training, and endurance exercise, all have the potential to stimulate NAD production by promoting mitochondrial health.
Intermittent fasting can trigger cellular repair processes and boost NAD by stimulating sirtuins. So, going without food for 12-16 hours can increase NAD production.
Certain foods and maintaining a healthy diet over the long term can help naturally boost NAD levels.
Alcohol depletes our natural NAD levels, making cells less efficient at repairing themselves. So, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption is essential when it comes to making sure you’re able to keep your NAD levels consistent naturally.
Although there are several ways to support boosting NAD levels naturally, these strategies may not always provide a significant or consistent increase. Taking supplements may be the most effective route for those looking to more effectively and reliably boost NAD+ levels and show promising results.
NAD supplements offer a more direct and potent way to raise NAD+ levels, supporting overall cellular function and potentially providing benefits that lifestyle changes alone may not fully deliver.
Different Types of NAD+ Supplements
For individuals looking to support their NAD levels, there are several supplementation options available. The three most common methods are:
IV therapy
At-home injections
Liposomal tablets.
Each option has its own advantages and factors to consider, making it important to understand which approach may best suit your needs.
NAD+ IV Therapy
NAD IV therapy involves delivering NAD directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) drip. This method is typically administered in wellness clinics and under medical supervision.
NAD IV therapy benefits include:
✔ Since the NAD is introduced directly into the bloodstream, it bypasses the digestive system, ensuring maximum bioavailability.
✔ IV therapy allows for larger doses of NAD to be administered compared to oral supplements.
✔ Some people who are looking for higher NAD levels for recovery or performance reasons may prefer IV therapy due to it being a fast-acting method.
Although there are some excellent benefits to opting for NAD IV therapy, they are not the best option for everyone. For example:
✘ NAD IV therapy can’t be done at home. So, some may find the need to visit a clinic inconvenient.
✘ IV sessions can also take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours per session, depending on the dose.
✘ IV therapy is one of the most expensive NAD delivery methods, and it requires multiple sessions for sustained benefits.
✘ Some people experience flushing, nausea, or mild discomfort during the infusion.
NAD+ Injections (At-Home Option)
NAD injections provide a way to deliver NAD directly into the bloodstream via subcutaneous (under the skin) or intramuscular injections. These can be administered at home. The biggest advantages include:
✔ Since injections can be done at home, they eliminate the need for clinic visits – making it a much more convenient option.
✔ As NAD is injected, it bypasses the digestive system and goes directly into the bloodstream.
✔ People have reported feeling the benefits of injections within hours to days.
Although still more expensive than liposomal NAD tablets, at-home injections are much more affordable than IV infusions.
At-home NAD injections are still very potent, similar to IV therapy options.
Individuals who want a more convenient, cost-effective way to take NAD without clinic visits and better absorption than tablet forms are best suited to this option.
Liposomal NAD tablets are designed to enhance the bioavailability of NAD by using lipid-based delivery systems that protect the molecule from being broken down in the digestive system. Key advantages to taking NAD supplements in tablet form are:
✔ Simply taken as a daily supplement, making it the easiest and most convenient form of NAD supplementation.
✔ No needles! Some people find this a huge barrier, so with tablet form, there is no discomfort or requirement for administration.
✔ NAD tablets are more affordable compared to both at-home injections and IV therapy.
✔ When taken consistently, tablets can help maintain NAD levels over time.
✔ NAD tablets are mostly suited to people looking for an affordable, simple, daily supplement that doesn’t involve an invasive approach.
✔ It’s also a great option for those who are happy with a more steady onset of positive effects over the long term.
Are There Any Side Effects of Taking NAD+ Supplements?
NAD+ is generally safe and well-tolerated by the majority of people who take NAD supplements consistently. However, as with any supplement, there can be some mild side effects, especially if you’re taking higher doses. These may include temporary mild headaches and feeling a little tired for the first day or so.
Fortunately, these effects tend to be short-lived and go away as your body adjusts. For the majority of people, the benefits of NAD+ far outweigh these temporary inconveniences. However, it’s always a good idea to check with a medical professional to find the right supplement option for you.
Should You Boost Your NAD+ Levels?
Having optimal NAD levels in your body plays a very critical role in energy, metabolism, brain function, and longevity; maintaining high levels can significantly improve your health and well-being. So, if you want to see improvements in these areas – NAD supplements and simple lifestyle changes are definitely avenues worth exploring.
If you’re interested in learning more about NAD supplements to feel more energised, think sharper, and support long-term health – get in touch with our team today.
