From the Guidelines
NAD+ supplementation typically involves a loading phase of 500-1000mg daily for 2-4 weeks, followed by a maintenance phase of 250-500mg daily, as supported by the concept of maintaining cellular NAD+ levels to prevent age-related decline and cellular energy crisis 1. The loading phase is crucial in quickly elevating NAD+ levels in the body, which is essential for energy metabolism, DNA repair, and sirtuin activity.
- The recommended loading phase regimen is based on the idea of administering 'supraphysiological' doses of vitamin B3 to allow for a surplus of NAD+ /NADP+, as seen in experimental studies 1.
- The maintenance phase regimen is designed to sustain the elevated NAD+ levels, mitigating the decline associated with aging and stress. Key considerations for NAD+ supplementation include:
- Taking the supplement with food to enhance absorption and minimize potential side effects
- Starting with a lower dose and adjusting as needed based on personal tolerance and response
- Considering splitting the dose to maintain consistent NAD+ levels throughout the day The rationale behind this regimen is rooted in the understanding that NAD+ levels naturally decline with age and stress, and supplementation helps restore cellular energy production, DNA repair, and sirtuin activity, which are crucial for cellular health and may contribute to improved energy, cognitive function, and metabolic health 1.
From the Research
NAD+ Therapy Regimens
The loading phase and maintenance phase regimens for NAD+ therapy are not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, the studies suggest that NAD+ precursors such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) can be used to boost NAD+ levels.
Loading Phase Regimen
- The studies do not provide a specific loading phase regimen for NAD+ therapy. However, it is mentioned that supplementation with NAD+ precursors can increase NAD+ levels in multiple tissues 2, 3.
- The dosing regimens for NAD+ precursors vary greatly across interventions, and small sample sizes limit data interpretation of physiological outcomes 3.
Maintenance Phase Regimen
- The maintenance phase regimen for NAD+ therapy is not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, it is suggested that chronic oral supplementation with NAD+ precursors can be safe and tolerable 3.
- The study durations for NAD+ precursor supplementation vary greatly, and further research is needed to determine the optimal maintenance phase regimen 3.
- It is proposed that NAD+ precursors should be taken with other compounds such as insulin sensitizers, polyphenols, benfotiamine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and aldose reductase inhibitors to minimize the risk and maximize the benefit of NAD+ therapy 4.