From the Guidelines
To maximize NAD+ potency, I strongly recommend using nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplements at specific doses, as they have been shown to effectively boost NAD+ levels and mitigate age-related decline. When considering the optimal form and delivery method for NAD+ supplements, it's essential to look at the most recent and highest quality studies. According to the study by N. Aytekin et al. 1, maintaining cellular NAD+ levels is crucial for preventing age-related sarcopenia and other conditions associated with declining NAD+ levels. Some key points to consider when choosing an NAD+ supplement include:
- The dose: 250-500mg daily for NR or 250-1000mg daily for NMN, taken in the morning with food, as these doses have been shown to be effective in boosting NAD+ levels 1.
- The formulation: Sublingual or liposomal formulations typically offer better bioavailability than standard oral capsules, allowing for more efficient absorption of the supplement.
- Individual factors: The potency of these supplements depends on your age, health status, and individual metabolism, with older individuals potentially benefiting more due to naturally declining NAD+ levels with age 1. It's also important to note that NAD+ IV therapy provides the highest potency but is expensive and requires medical supervision. Regular use of these supplements for at least 2-3 months is typically needed to notice potential benefits, as they work by serving as precursors that your body converts to NAD+, a critical coenzyme involved in energy metabolism, DNA repair, and cellular signaling 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
NAD Potency
- NAD+ is an essential pyridine nucleotide cofactor present in cells and involved in several important biological processes, including oxidative phosphorylation and production of adenosine triphosphate, DNA repair, calcium-dependent secondary messenger and gene expression 2.
- The supplementation with NADH and precursors has been observed to be well tolerated and associated with clinical results such as a decrease in anxiety conditions, increased muscle insulin sensitivity, and improved quality of life 2.
- NADH supplementation has been found to be safe and have a low incidence of side effects, with common side effects including muscle pain, nervous disorders, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and headaches 2.
Clinical Applications
- NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), have been identified as a promising treatment strategy for age-related cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia 3.
- NAD+ replenishment through NAD+ precursors has been suggested to have great potential as a therapeutic target for ageing and age-predisposed diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease 4.
- Clinical trials have reported promising results for the treatment of psoriasis and enhancement of skeletal muscle activity using NAD supplementation, but further trials are required to determine the optimal method of raising NAD levels and identifying target conditions 5.
Safety and Efficacy
- The oral administration of NADH has been associated with an 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.
- NAD+ precursors have been found to be safe and well-tolerated in preclinical and clinical studies, with possible side effects including nausea, headache, and fatigue 4.
- Further clinical research is needed to provide definitive answers regarding the impact of NAD+ precursor supplementation on human cognitive health and to determine the optimal method of raising NAD levels 3.