From the Guidelines
NAD+ supplementation has been shown to have potential benefits in improving energy metabolism, supporting cellular repair mechanisms, and potentially slowing aspects of aging, as evidenced by the most recent study in 2022 1. The primary benefits of NAD+ supplementation include:
- Improved energy metabolism, as NAD+ plays a crucial role in converting food into cellular energy
- Support for cellular repair mechanisms, potentially slowing aspects of aging
- Improvement in mitochondrial function, enhancement of cognitive performance, and support for cardiovascular health Common forms of NAD+ supplements include nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), typically taken in doses ranging from 250-1000mg daily. While generally considered safe, side effects can include flushing, nausea, and fatigue, as noted in the 2022 study 1. The benefits of NAD+ supplementation work through its role as a coenzyme in hundreds of metabolic reactions and its activation of sirtuins, proteins involved in cellular health and longevity, as described in the 2018 study 1. However, it's essential to note that while promising, many benefits remain theoretical with limited human clinical evidence, and these supplements should be discussed with a healthcare provider before starting, as recommended in the 2022 guideline 1. Key considerations for NAD+ supplementation include:
- The importance of maintaining cellular NAD+ concentrations to prevent SIRT2-mediated apoptosis, as highlighted in the 2018 study 1
- The potential for NAD+ supplementation to support neuromuscular function and prevent age-related sarcopenia, as suggested in the 2018 study 1
- The need for further research to fully understand the benefits and risks of NAD+ supplementation in humans, as noted in the 2022 study 1.
From the Research
Benefits of NAD Supplementation
The benefits of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) supplementation include:
- Increase in general quality of life and improvement in health parameters, such as a decrease in anxiety, maximum heart rate, and inflammatory cytokines in serum and cerebrospinal fluid 2
- Improvement in muscle insulin sensitivity and insulin signaling 2
- Enhancement of skeletal muscle activity 3
- Potential treatment of psoriasis 3
- Increase in NAD+ concentration in whole blood, associated with an increase in SIRT1 and a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines in plasma 4
- Shift in the glycosylation profile of immunoglobulin G (IgG) toward a younger biological age, promoting a healthier ageing trajectory 4
Potential Therapeutic Applications
NAD supplementation may have potential therapeutic applications in:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) 2
- Parkinson's disease 2
- Overweight and postmenopausal prediabetes 2
- Alzheimer's disease 2
- Age-related conditions, such as skin and metabolic disorders 3
- Cardiometabolic disease risk factors, such as overweight and obesity 5
Safety and Tolerability
NAD supplementation is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with common side effects including: