Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD, is a molecule found in every cell in the human body. It plays a vital role in energy production, DNA repair, and other important cellular processes. NAD levels decline as we age, leading to a range of health issues, including fatigue, cognitive decline, and metabolic dysfunction. In recent years, researchers have been exploring the potential of NAD supplementation to help address these age-related health issues. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at NAD and its potential benefits.
What is NAD?
NAD is a coenzyme, which means that it works together with enzymes to facilitate important biochemical reactions in the body. It exists in two forms: NAD+ and NADH. NAD+ is the active form of the molecule, while NADH is the reduced form that carries electrons.
NAD+ plays a crucial role in the process of cellular respiration, which converts glucose into energy that the body can use. NAD+ is also involved in DNA repair, gene expression, and other important cellular processes.
Why NAD levels decline with age
NAD levels decline as we age for several reasons. First, the body produces less NAD as we get older. Additionally, a molecule called CD38, which breaks down NAD, becomes more active as we age. Finally, lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress can further deplete NAD levels.
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) is a coenzyme that plays a crucial role in many biological processes, including metabolism and DNA repair. It is a molecule found in every cell of the human body and is involved in many cellular processes, such as energy metabolism, redox reactions, and DNA repair.
NAD is a derivative of niacin, also known as vitamin B3. It can be found in many foods, including meat, fish, and dairy products, as well as in supplement form. The body can also produce NAD from tryptophan, an amino acid found in many high-protein foods.
One of the primary roles of NAD is to act as a coenzyme in energy metabolism. It is a key player in the process of cellular respiration, which is how cells produce energy from glucose. NAD is involved in both the glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, which are the two main processes of cellular respiration.
Why you should consider supplementing with NAD
NAD also plays a crucial role in DNA repair. When DNA is damaged, enzymes called poly ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs) use NAD to add poly ADP-ribose (PAR) chains to proteins involved in DNA repair. These PAR chains recruit other proteins to the site of DNA damage, facilitating repair.
In addition to its role in energy metabolism, redox reactions, and DNA repair, NAD is also involved in many other cellular processes, including signaling pathways and gene expression. NAD levels have been linked to many age-related diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular disease. Researchers have also found that NAD levels decline with age, leading to a decline in mitochondrial function, energy production, and DNA repair capacity.
As a result, there has been a growing interest in NAD supplementation as a potential anti-aging therapy. Animal studies have shown that NAD supplementation can improve mitochondrial function, increase energy production, and improve DNA repair capacity. Human studies are ongoing, but some initial results have shown promise for NAD supplementation in improving muscle function and cognitive performance in older adults.
NAD is also involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms, which are the body’s internal biological clock that controls sleep and wake cycles. Research has shown that NAD levels fluctuate throughout the day, with the highest levels occurring during the day and the lowest levels occurring at night. This suggests that NAD may play a role in regulating the body’s circadian rhythms.
In conclusion, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) is a critical molecule involved in many cellular processes, including energy metabolism, redox reactions, DNA repair, and circadian rhythms. NAD levels decline with age and have been linked to many age-related diseases. NAD supplementation is a promising anti-aging therapy, but further research is needed to determine its efficacy and safety.
Additional Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7963035/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-020-00354-w
