NAD-plus

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a molecule found in every cell of your body that's absolutely essential for life. It's not technically a peptide, but it's crucial for understanding cellular health and aging. **Why does NAD+ matter?** Think of NAD+ as your cells' "energy currency." It helps convert food into energy, repairs damaged DNA, and activates proteins called sirtuins that regulate aging. Without enough NAD+, your cells can't function properly. **The aging problem:** NAD+ levels decline significantly as you age — by age 50, you may have half the NAD+ you had at 20. This decline is linked to: • Decreased energy and metabolism • Impaired DNA repair • Mitochondrial dysfunction • Increased inflammation **What the research shows:** • NAD+ activates the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway — a master switch for cellular health • Supports mitochondrial function (your cells' "power plants") • May help protect against age-related diseases including neurodegeneration and heart disease • Precursors like NMN and NR can boost NAD+ levels **How people boost NAD+:** Supplements (NMN, NR, niacin), IV infusions, or lifestyle factors like fasting and exercise. --- **Sources:** Covarrubias AJ, et al. (2021) Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology | Xie N, et al. (2020) Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. DOI:10.3390/ph18111723 | Verdin E, et al. (2015) Science

Most human trials are small, short-term, and largely safety/pharmacokinetic; clinical endpoints (disease prevention, longevity) are unproven; NAD+ precursor supplements are not FDA-approved drugs; the insulin-sensitivity finding awaits replication.

NAD+ is an essential cellular coenzyme acting as a redox carrier and substrate for sirtuins and PARPs. NAD+ levels decline with age; precursors NMN and NR raise NAD+ via salvage pathways. Oral NR/NMN are absorbed and measurably increase blood NAD+; clinical pharmacokinetics of IV NAD+ infusions are not well documented.