From the Guidelines
NAD+ supplementation has shown promise in slowing certain aspects of aging, particularly in improving mitochondrial function and cellular energy production, as evidenced by recent studies 1.
Key Findings
- NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, contributing to various aging processes, including decreased SIRT1 activity and increased PARP activity 1.
- Animal studies have demonstrated benefits of NAD+ supplementation, including improved mitochondrial function, DNA repair, and cellular energy production 1.
- Human research remains limited, but available data suggest a significant age-related decline in cellular NAD+ levels in both men and women 1.
Recommendations
- Consider NAD+ supplementation, particularly with nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), at doses of 250-1000mg daily, under the guidance of a healthcare provider 1.
- Lifestyle factors like exercise, intermittent fasting, and limiting sun exposure can naturally support NAD+ levels and should be prioritized alongside supplementation.
- Given the current evidence, it is reasonable to recommend NAD+ supplementation as a complementary approach to established healthy lifestyle practices, such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management 1.
From the Research
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) and Aging
- NAD+ plays a crucial role in human physiology, and its concentration decreases with age in various tissues such as skin, blood, liver, muscle, and brain 2.
- Decreased NAD+ levels are associated with aging-related disorders, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, neurodegeneration, and inflammatory responses 2, 3.
- NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide riboside (NR), have been shown to increase NAD+ levels and mitigate aging-related diseases in animal models 4, 3, 5.
Effects of NAD+ Precursors on Aging
- NMN supplementation has been demonstrated to increase NAD+ levels in healthy subjects, with no significant adverse effects observed 4.
- Combining NMN with other nutrients, such as resveratrol or ginsenosides, may enhance its efficacy in improving NAD+ levels in specific tissues 6.
- Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that NAD+ precursors have therapeutic potential for aging, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases 5.
Potential Mechanisms of NAD+ in Aging
- NAD+ levels decline with age, reducing SIRT1 function and increasing DNA damage 3.
- Increasing NAD+ levels through NMN supplementation can restore PARP activity and reduce DNA damage in old mice 3.
- The NAD+/PARP1/SIRT1 axis may link NAD+ levels and DNA damage with epigenomic DNA methylation clocks, which are associated with aging 3.