Does Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) increase triglycerides or liver enzymes?

NAD+ Does Not Increase Triglycerides or Liver Enzymes Based on Current Evidence

Based on the available evidence, NAD+ supplementation does not increase triglycerides or liver enzymes, and may actually have beneficial effects on liver health by reducing hepatic fat content and improving mitochondrial function.

Relationship Between NAD+ and Liver Health

NAD+ (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a critical coenzyme involved in cellular metabolism and energy production. The evidence regarding its effects on liver health shows:

Effects on Triglycerides

• Rather than increasing triglycerides, NAD+ supplementation has been shown to reduce hepatic triglyceride content in preclinical models 1, 2
• NAD+ precursors like nicotinamide riboside (NR) have demonstrated the ability to prevent and reverse non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by increasing hepatic β-oxidation 2
• NAD+ deficiency has been identified as a risk factor for NAFLD, suggesting that supplementation may be beneficial rather than harmful 3

Effects on Liver Enzymes

• The available research does not indicate that NAD+ supplementation increases liver enzymes
• In fact, NAD+ repletion has been shown to improve mitochondrial function and decrease oxidative stress in pre-clinical NAFLD models 1
• NAD+ boosting therapy has demonstrated therapeutic effects against hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis in animal models 4

Mechanisms of NAD+ Benefits for Liver Health

NAD+ appears to benefit liver health through several mechanisms:

1. Sirtuin Activation: NAD+ serves as a substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1 and SIRT3), which regulate mitochondrial function and metabolism 2

2. Mitochondrial Function: NAD+ supplementation improves mitochondrial content, function, and ATP levels in the liver 2, 5

3. Oxidative Stress Reduction: NAD+ is a precursor for NADPH, which is important for antioxidant defense systems 1

4. Regulation of Hepatokines: NAD+ influences the expression of liver-derived hormones (hepatokines) that affect metabolism 5, 4

Clinical Implications

While most evidence comes from preclinical studies, the findings suggest that:

• NAD+ supplementation may be beneficial for individuals with NAFLD or at risk for liver disease
• The therapeutic potential of NAD+ precursors (like NR and NMN) warrants further investigation in clinical settings
• Initial clinical trials have shown modest effects in people with obesity, suggesting that more research is needed to optimize dosing and identify the most responsive populations 1

Lifestyle Considerations

For those interested in liver health, current guidelines emphasize:

• Regular physical activity (150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week) 6
• Weight management with a goal of 7-10% weight loss for those with NAFLD 6
• Mediterranean diet pattern, which has been associated with reduced liver fat 6
• Limiting alcohol consumption 6

Conclusion

The current evidence does not support concerns that NAD+ supplementation increases triglycerides or liver enzymes. Instead, NAD+ appears to have protective effects on liver health by improving mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress, and decreasing hepatic fat content. However, more clinical research is needed to fully establish the efficacy and safety of NAD+ supplementation in humans.