In recent times, there has been increasing interest in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) supplements as a potential avenue for enhancing longevity. This article explores the role of NAD in the body and examines whether supplementation can indeed contribute to a longer, healthier life.
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Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a molecule primarily derived from vitamin B3.
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Recent research underscores its importance in keeping bodily systems ‘youthful’, leading to claims that NAD supplementation may aid in slowing the aging process and promoting longevity.
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But how valid are these assertions? Longevity expert Şebnem Ünlüişler provides insights.
Recent aging studies have focused on a previously overlooked player in longevity: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD. This vital molecule, often derived from vitamin B3 (also known as niacin), exists in every cell of the human body.
NAD plays a multifaceted role in health. Recent studies, including one published in the journal Nature Metabolism in December 2024, highlight how NAD depletion contributes to aging, suggesting that replenishing NAD levels may help slow down the aging process.
This discovery has sparked questions about the potential effectiveness of NAD+ dietary supplements in enhancing longevity.
To better understand NAD’s roles and the potential benefits of supplementation for rejuvenation, Medical News Today spoke with Şebnem Ünlüişler, the Chief Longevity Officer and a genetic engineer at the London Regenerative Institute.
What is NAD?
“Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) serves as a crucial cellular coenzyme necessary for mitochondrial energy generation, DNA repair, and the regulation of stress response pathways such as sirtuins and PARPs,” Ünlüişler elaborated.
This highlights NAD’s significance for cellular health, as mitochondria—often referred to as the cell’s powerhouses—provide energy while also playing vital roles in cell signaling and eventual cellular death.
Moreover, sirtuins are proteins key in inflammation and DNA repair, while PARPs (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases) likewise help regulate immune responses and maintain cellular wellness.
What role does NAD play in aging processes?
Given NAD’s integral role in cellular functions, it is also crucial to the fundamental aspects of aging.
“NAD+ levels decline with age, correlating with diminished mitochondrial function, reduced genomic stability, and heightened cellular stress, all of which are associated with biological aging,” Ünlüişler noted.
This raises questions about whether restoring NAD levels can effectively reverse this natural decline.
Can we derive NAD from dietary sources?
The longevity expert explained that NAD is not easily obtainable from food, complicating efforts to increase its presence in the body.
“NAD+ itself is not substantially absorbed from foods, but the body synthesizes it from dietary precursors like tryptophan and various forms of vitamin B3, including niacin, nicotinamide, and nicotinamide riboside,” she clarified.
“Even though the body continuously recycles NAD+, its availability can be reduced by aging, inflammation, and metabolic stress,” Ünlüişler elaborated.
Can NAD+ supplements help slow down biological aging?
Dietary supplements that provide sources of NAD, particularly forms of vitamin B3, may help enhance this crucial molecule’s levels, according to Ünlüişler:
However, she warns that some limitations exist.
What are the caveats of NAD supplementation?
There is no “miracle cure” for aging, and while vitamin B3 supplements can contribute positively to health, treating them as a one-stop solution may not be wise.
“Current evidence suggests that restoring NAD+ levels can support mitochondrial health and metabolic resilience,” Ünlüişler stated.
“Nevertheless, there is no definitive clinical proof that NAD+ supplementation slows aging or prolongs lifespan in humans,” she cautioned.
For those interested in trying it, “it should be viewed as a metabolic support strategy within a broader longevity framework rather than a standalone anti-aging remedy,” she advised.
In conclusion, while the potential role of NAD and its supplementation in promoting longevity is exciting, further research is essential to substantiate these claims. It’s crucial to adopt a well-rounded approach to enhancing health and wellness, rather than relying solely on supplements.
View the original article on Medical News Today
