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Introduction
You have probably heard of NAD+ being discussed everywhere lately. From wellness magazines, conversations around anti-aging, to supplement stores, almost everywhere. But what is it exactly? Does it really work like they say? Here’s the truth. NAD+ is one of the most important molecules in your body, and yet most people have never heard of it. That is, until aging starts to become a problem. They start feeling tired all the time, notice their energy is not what it used to be or cannot seem to lose weight. Let’s dive into a very simple explanation of what NAD+ is.
What is NAD+?
NAD+ is Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, a coenzyme present in every living cell of the body. Basically, NAD+ is your body’s energy molecule. Every cell in your body requires NAD+ to turn food into energy. But that’s not all NAD+ does. It is also crucial for:
- DNA repair
- Sleep-wake cycle regulation
- Brain health
- Inflammation control
- Sirtuin activation
The problem is that your body’s natural production of NAD+ slows with age. By your 40s or 50s, you might only have half of the NAD+ you had in your 20s. Low levels of NAD+ are associated with fatigue, poor metabolism, brain fog and accelerated aging. In short, low NAD+ equals low energy.
So what causes NAD+ to decline?
Several factors contribute to NAD+ depletion
- Chronic stress
- Poor sleep
- Alcohol consumption
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Inflammation
And chances are, if you struggle with any kind of metabolic dysfunction, excess stress, weight gain or want to lose weight, your NAD+ levels are already pretty low.
What are the benefits of NAD+?
By restoring NAD+levels through diet, lifestyle changes, and/or supplementation, researchers have discovered many incredible benefits:
Increased Energy
At the center of your cells are your mitochondria. These act as the powerhouses that create energy for your body to function. But they need NAD+ to do their jobs. More NAD+ means higher energy production. And more energy means increased stamina, less fatigue, and clear thinking.
Slowed Aging
One of NAD+'s many functions is to activate proteins called sirtuins, also known as your “longevity genes.” They help repair DNA damage, fight inflammation, and promote healthier cell function. Numerous animal studies show that supplementing with NAD+ precursors increases lifespan, suggesting that increasing NAD+ will possibly slow the aging process.
Improved Brain Health
Did you know your brain consumes over 20% of your body’s total energy? It’s true. And NAD+ helps fuel your brain’s mitochondria.
Without sufficient NAD+, you can experience brain fog, memory loss, and cognitive decline. Increasing NAD+ has even shown some promise in neurodegenerative diseases; however, more research is required for this.
Better Workout Recovery
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts often take NAD+ to decrease muscle fatigue and recover faster from exercise. As we age past 40, our bodies take longer to recover from workouts. Adding NAD+ can help get you back to your best.
Metabolic and Heart Health
Research shows that supplementing with NAD+ can regulate blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, and support healthy cholesterol metabolism- all of which are important factors in heart health and metabolic balance.
Can You Lose Weight With NAD+?
If you have read this, you are probably at the part you came for. Will NAD+ help me lose weight? NAD+ does not directly cause weight loss. However, it supports almost every process in your body that does. It boosts your metabolism. Remember how NAD+ is required to turn food into energy? If you do not have enough NAD+, your body simply cannot process calories efficiently. You will have a harder time losing weight and an easier time gaining weight.
It increases SIRT1 activity. SIRT1 is one of the sirtuin proteins activated by NAD+. It is specifically responsible for regulating fat storage and breakdown. People with higher levels of SIRT1 experience less visceral fat around the organs and better fat-burning abilities.
It improves insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance is a primary driver of weight gain, especially in the belly. NAD+ allows your cells to use insulin more efficiently, keeping your waistline in check.
It enhances exercise efficiency. This all comes back to energy. More energy = better workouts = more calories burned.
What is the difference between NAD+ and NAD peptides? Are there NAD peptides?
NAD+ is not a peptide; it is actually a coenzyme. You see them talked about together a lot in the wellness industry because they are both innovative injectables used in the cell renewal and anti-aging process.
What are NAD+ injections?
As the name implies, NAD+ injections introduce this powerful coenzyme directly into your body. They have several advantages over oral NAD+ supplements, primarily that you absorb far more into your system when taking them this way. When you take a pill, it must pass through your digestive system and break down much of the potency before entering your bloodstream. With injections, you can bypass that process entirely.
How is NAD+ injection given?
NAD+ injection is typically administered in either of the two ways, subcutaneous and intramuscular, for 10 days every month.
What are the best NAD+ supplements?
You cannot take NAD+ directly as a supplement since it is a relatively large molecule. Thankfully, your body can convert certain nutrients into NAD+. These are known as NAD+ precursors. The two most common and scientifically-backed precursors are:
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)
NMN has been studied extensively. There have been multiple human studies showing that it increases NAD+ levels and improves many metabolic markers. It is one of the most studied supplements out there and continues to show promise.
NR (Nicotinamide Riboside)
NR is another powerful NAD+ precursor with human research backing its uses. Numerous studies show that NR effectively and safely increases blood NAD+ levels.
Should You Take NAD+? Is it safe?
For the majority of healthy adults, NAD+ is safe. If any side effects occur, they are typically mild (nausea, headache, flushing) and go away after your body acclimates. But for most people, NAD+ is safe and likely beneficial.
Final Thoughts on NAD+
NAD+ is not a wellness trend. It is one of the foundational compounds your body needs to function. And without it, you feel tired, your metabolism slows down, and you start to age faster. NAD+ has been linked to increased energy, metabolism, brain function, and longevity. If you are tired of feeling tired, cannot seem to lose weight no matter what you try, or want to optimize your health as you age, NAD+ can be the missing piece of your puzzle.
References
- Lautrup S, Sinclair DA, Mattson MP, Fang EF. NAD+ in Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Cell Metab. 2019;30(4):630-655. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2019.09.001
- Cantó C, Menzies KJ, Auwerx J. NAD+ Metabolism and the Control of Energy Homeostasis: A Balancing Act between Mitochondria and the Nucleus. Cell Metab. 2015;22(1):31-53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2015.05.023
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