Interested in this peptide?
Request more information and our team will get back to you within 2 business days.
What Is NAD+?
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every living cell. It exists in two forms: NAD+ (oxidized) and NADH (reduced). This molecule is absolutely essential for life — without it, cellular energy production would cease.
While not a peptide, NAD+ is frequently discussed alongside peptide research due to its central role in cellular health and its inclusion in many longevity research protocols.
Key Characteristics
- Essential: Required for over 500 enzymatic reactions
- Universal: Present in all living organisms
- Age-Related Decline: Levels decrease significantly with age
- Energy Currency: Central to ATP production
Biological Functions
Energy Metabolism
NAD+ is central to cellular energy production:
- Glycolysis: NAD+ accepts electrons during glucose breakdown
- Krebs Cycle: Multiple NAD+-dependent steps
- Electron Transport Chain: NADH delivers electrons for ATP synthesis
- ATP Production: Each NADH can generate ~2.5 ATP molecules
Sirtuin Activation
NAD+ is the essential substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1-7):
- SIRT1: Regulates metabolism, stress response, longevity pathways
- SIRT3: Mitochondrial function and antioxidant defense
- SIRT6: DNA repair and genomic stability
- Without NAD+, sirtuins cannot function
DNA Repair
NAD+ supports DNA maintenance:
- Substrate for PARP enzymes (poly ADP-ribose polymerases)
- PARPs consume NAD+ during DNA damage repair
- Excessive DNA damage can deplete NAD+ pools
- Adequate NAD+ supports genomic integrity
Cellular Signaling
Beyond metabolism, NAD+ participates in signaling:
- CD38 enzyme activity regulation
- Calcium signaling pathways
- Circadian rhythm maintenance
- Immune cell function
NAD+ and Aging
A central theme in longevity research is the decline of NAD+ with age:
Age-Related NAD+ Decline
- NAD+ levels can drop by 50% between ages 40-60
- CD38 expression increases with age, consuming more NAD+
- Chronic inflammation elevates NAD+ consumption
- DNA damage accumulation depletes NAD+ pools
This decline correlates with many hallmarks of aging, including mitochondrial dysfunction, increased inflammation, and reduced cellular repair capacity.
Research Areas
Longevity and Healthspan
- NAD+ supplementation (via precursors) extends lifespan in animal models
- Improved metabolic function in aged animals
- Enhanced physical performance and endurance
- Maintained cognitive function in aging studies
Metabolic Health
- Insulin sensitivity improvements in animal studies
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome research
- Fatty liver disease models
- Diabetes research
Neurological Research
- Alzheimer's disease models
- Parkinson's disease research
- Traumatic brain injury recovery
- Cognitive decline prevention
Cardiovascular Research
- Heart failure models
- Vascular aging
- Blood pressure regulation
- Cardiac protection studies
NAD+ Precursors
Because NAD+ itself has poor bioavailability, research focuses on precursor compounds:
| Precursor | Full Name | Pathway | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMN | Nicotinamide Mononucleotide | Salvage | Direct NAD+ precursor |
| NR | Nicotinamide Riboside | Salvage | Converts to NMN then NAD+ |
| NA | Nicotinic Acid (Niacin) | Preiss-Handler | Classic B3 vitamin; causes flushing |
| NAM | Nicotinamide | Salvage | May inhibit sirtuins at high doses |
| Trp | Tryptophan | De novo | Amino acid; inefficient pathway |
Key Published Research
| Year | Focus | Key Finding | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Aging | NAD+ decline linked to aging | Gomes et al., Cell |
| 2016 | NMN efficacy | NMN improved metabolism in mice | Mills et al., Cell Metabolism |
| 2018 | Vascular aging | NAD+ restored vascular function | Das et al., Cell |
| 2020 | Human trial | NMN raised NAD+ in humans safely | Yoshino et al. |
| 2021 | Exercise | NMN enhanced exercise capacity | Liao et al. |
Human Clinical Trials
NAD+ precursors (particularly NMN and NR) are among the few longevity compounds with human clinical data:
- Multiple trials confirm safety of NMN and NR supplementation
- Demonstrated ability to raise blood NAD+ levels in humans
- Some studies show improved insulin sensitivity
- Exercise performance benefits in some populations
- Long-term efficacy studies still ongoing
Current Status
NAD+ precursors like NMN and NR are available as supplements in many countries. While generally considered safe based on current research, they are not FDA-approved drugs. Long-term effects and optimal dosing protocols in humans are still being established through ongoing research.
Summary
NAD+ represents one of the most fundamental molecules in biology and has emerged as a central target in longevity research. The age-related decline in NAD+ levels and its correction through precursor supplementation offers a promising avenue for supporting healthspan. With human clinical trials already demonstrating safety and bioavailability, NAD+ research continues to be one of the most active areas in the longevity field.