09/26/2026
What Is NAD⁺?
NAD⁺ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a vital coenzyme found in every living cell. It plays a central role in:
🔋 Energy production
🧬 DNA repair
🧓 Cellular aging
🧠 Brain function
🛡️ Stress response
It exists in two main forms:
NAD⁺ (oxidized form)
NADH (reduced form)
These two forms cycle back and forth to power essential biochemical reactions.
🔥 1. Role in Energy Production
NAD⁺ is crucial for converting food into energy.
In metabolism:
During glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, NAD⁺ accepts electrons → becomes NADH
NADH then donates electrons in the electron transport chain
This process generates ATP, your cells’ main energy currency
Without NAD⁺, cells cannot efficiently produce energy.
🧬 2. DNA Repair & Longevity
NAD⁺ fuels enzymes involved in repair and aging:
Key NAD⁺-dependent enzymes:
Sirtuins (SIRT1–7) → regulate aging, inflammation, metabolism
PARPs (Poly ADP-ribose polymerases) → repair DNA damage
CD38 → regulates immune signaling (also consumes NAD⁺)
When NAD⁺ levels drop:
DNA repair becomes less efficient
Mitochondrial function declines
Cellular aging accelerates
📉 3. NAD⁺ Declines With Age
Research shows NAD⁺ levels can drop 40–50% between ages 20 and 60.
Why?
Increased activity of NAD⁺-consuming enzymes (like CD38)
Accumulated DNA damage
Chronic inflammation
Poor metabolic health
Lower NAD⁺ levels are associated with:
Fatigue
Metabolic dysfunction
Neurodegeneration
Reduced muscle endurance
🧠 4. NAD⁺ and the Brain
NAD⁺ supports:
Neuronal energy metabolism
Mitochondrial health
Protection from oxidative stress
Low NAD⁺ has been studied in relation to:
Cognitive decline
Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Research is ongoing — many findings are promising but not yet definitive.
💊 5. NAD⁺ Supplements
You cannot effectively take NAD⁺ orally (it’s broken down in digestion). Instead, people take precursors:
Common NAD⁺ Boosters
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)
NR (Nicotinamide Riboside)
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Nicotinamide (NAM)
These convert inside cells into NAD⁺.
Do They Work?
Human studies show:
NR and NMN can raise blood NAD⁺ levels
Effects on aging, energy, and longevity are still being studied
Results are mixed for athletic performance or cognition
Long-term safety data is still developing.
💉 6. NAD⁺ IV Therapy
Some clinics offer IV NAD⁺ for:
Fatigue
Addiction recovery
Brain fog
“Anti-aging”
Scientific support:
Limited high-quality evidence
Mostly small studies or anecdotal reports
Can cause nausea, chest tightness during infusion
It is not FDA-approved for anti-aging.
🏃 7. Natural Ways to Increase NAD⁺
Evidence-backed lifestyle strategies:
🏋️ Exercise (especially HIIT and resistance training)
⏳ Intermittent fasting / caloric restriction
😴 Quality sleep
🥦 Adequate B-vitamin intake
❄️ Cold exposure (mild evidence)
☀️ Circadian rhythm alignment
These may stimulate natural NAD⁺ production pathways.
Come see us at Morgan Family Medical Clinic for all your NAD needs!
9187210016
