Boost NAD+ For Better Health

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺), found in every cell in our bodies,^1,2 is required for reactions that provide energy and essential cell processes like repairing DNA.^1,3

The problem is that levels of NAD⁺ decline as we age.^3,4

But there’s a solution: A nutrient called nicotinamide riboside (NR) has been shown to boost cellular NAD⁺.^5-7

Preclinical studies show that it can support brain, heart, and metabolic health.^5-7

NR also has shown the potential for supporting a healthy aging process and helping the body resist the impact of age-related decline.^8-12

In human trials, researchers demonstrated that increasing NAD⁺ levels through NR supplementation can improve mitochondrial function and lower inflammatory cytokines in heart failure patients.¹³

What Is Nicotinamide Riboside?

Nicotinamide riboside is an activated form of vitamin B3 that functions as a precursor to one of the most important compounds found in all living cells, NAD⁺.¹¹

NAD⁺ plays multiple roles in cells, many that are critical to healthy aging.^3,4,8,14

Preclinical studies have shown that boosting NAD⁺ levels reduces chronic inflammation,^11,15-17 a driver of most age-related chronic diseases.^15-17

The Importance of NAD⁺

NAD⁺ is a coenzyme required for cellular respiration and metabolism. Without an ample supply of NAD⁺, cells can’t properly convert nutrients into energy.

Some tissues, including those in the brain, heart, and other muscles, have particularly high metabolic rates. That means they require more cellular respiration and more NAD⁺ to power them.

NAD⁺ is critical for metabolism and energy supply to the cells and is also required for the normal function of over 300 enzymes and proteins, including many which help protect and maintain the integrity of a cell’s DNA.³

For example, sirtuins are protective proteins that shore up a cell’s health in multiple ways, including by preventing DNA damage, improving DNA structure and maintaining cellular health.^18,19

In animal models ranging from worms to mammals, increased sirtuin activity is associated with increased lifespan.^18,19

Sirtuins require NAD⁺ to function.^4,20 But in older adults, NAD⁺ levels and sirtuin function tend to drop. In preclinical research, this declining sirtuin function has been associated with accelerated aging and increased risk for age-related disease.²¹

As a NAD⁺precursor, NR can readily replenish NAD⁺ levels in cells,^22-25 allowing sirtuins and other enzymes to continue working effectively.

Wide-Ranging Benefits

Raising NAD⁺ levels with NR has been shown to improve various aspects of health in preclinical studies.

For example, in rodents, nicotinamide riboside:

Improves memory in models of Alzheimer’s disease,²⁶

Helps prevent heart failure,²⁷ and

Improves metabolism and helps prevent weight gain.²⁶

Giving animals NR also resulted in an extension of lifespan.^28-31

In worms, for instance, lifespan was extended by at least 10%. In mice the human equivalent of 70 years old,³¹ nicotinamide riboside extended their life by about 5%, the human equivalent of four additional years of life based on today’s average U.S. human life expectancy of 76 years.³²

Human Studies

Nicotinamide riboside is a relatively newly studied nutrient. The first human study of its use was only published in 2016.²³

In early clinical studies, NR has been shown to be safe and well tolerated.^23,33 Taking various doses has been shown to increase body levels of NAD^+22-25 as much as five-fold.²² The increase in NAD⁺ levels correlates with an increase in cellular metabolic adaptations.^23,34

In a randomized controlled trial of adults with Parkinson’s disease, taking 1,000 mg of nicotinamide riboside daily for 30 days significantly increased brain levels of NAD⁺ (measured via magnetic resonance imaging). Supplementation was associated with decreases in markers of inflammation and mild clinical improvement in symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.³⁵

In a randomized controlled crossover trial, a 1,000 mg daily dose of nicotinamide riboside in mildly overweight, healthy, elderly men for 21 days resulted in elevated levels of NAD⁺ in muscles of participants in the intervention group. Nicotinamide riboside also reduced levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines.³⁶

In another study, four patients hospitalized with advanced heart failure were given escalating doses of NR (500 mg to 2,000 mg) for five to nine days. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention.

In this human study, whole-blood NAD⁺ levels and respiration of peripheral white blood cells were increased. The researchers demonstrated that increasing NAD⁺ levels through NR treatment can improve mitochondrial function and lower inflammatory cytokines in heart failure patients.¹³

Mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure patients is associated with reduced NAD⁺ levels. In a trial of clinically stable heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (a measurement of the heart’s ability to pump blood) 1,000 mg of NR twice daily for 12 weeks resulted in increased blood levels of NAD⁺ and improved mitochondrial respiration. It also reduced the proinflammatory marker in circulating immune cells, evidence that boosting NAD⁺ with NR may help reduce systemic inflammation.³⁷

Summary

Maintaining optimal NAD⁺ levels can help support cellular metabolism and DNA repair.

Levels of NAD⁺ decline with age, but nicotinamide riboside is capable of helping to restore them.

In human trials, nicotinamide riboside reduced markers of inflammation, reduced oxidative stress, led to clinical improvements in Parkinson’s disease, and improved exercise performance in older adults.

Many clinical trials for other conditions are underway.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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