NAD: the Powerhouse of Cellular Energy
NAD, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is an important coenzyme that assists in vital processes and reactions within the body. NAD is essential for cellular energy and repair.
Health Benefits
Energy: NAD is critical for the synthesis of ATP and providing energy for cells
Aging & cognitive function: NAD levels decrease by over 50% after 40, meaning the body's ability to produce energy declines. Increasing NAD has been shown to increase lifespan in animals and slow cognitive decline.
Repairs damage: NAD works with other enzymes to promote cellular repair after stressors such as alcohol use, lack of sleep, or stress.
Alcohol detoxification: NAD plays a role in processing alcohol and minimizing harmful effects.
Metabolic health: NAD helps regulate fat metabolism and converts carbs into energy, meaning it can help increase metabolism and aid in weight loss.
Reasons for NAD decline include age, physical or environmental stress, alcohol use, excessive exercise, and lack of sleep.
Dietary precursors of NAD include niacin and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) which can be found in foods such as milk, meat, eggs, beans, avocado, and broccoli. Increasing your intake of NAD precursors may provide minimal benefits to NAD levels.
Lifestyle factors to increase NAD include calorie restriction, regular exercise, and limiting alcohol.
Supplementation of NAD with products such as TruNiagen have been shown to increase blood levels of NAD and support cellular health.
The research on NAD is incredibly promising and shows a multitude of health benefits for aging and longevity. While it may be hard to significantly increase NAD levels through diet and lifestyle alone, research shows promising results that supplementation can have a profound effect on NAD levels in the body.
