
Best NAD Supplement to Manage Inflammation
NAD supplements boost the body's levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD , a coenzyme that plays a significant role in energy levels, cellular repair, and inflammation responses.
NAD levels naturally decline with age. Low levels of this important molecule are associated with aging and chronic disease, including neurological and cardiovascular diseases. However, increasing NAD levels with NAD supplements may help reduce inflammation and provide disease protection.
Keep reading as we explore the NAD-inflammation connection and the best NAD supplement. We'll cover:
- What is inflammation?
- NAD supplements and inflammation
- What is NAD supplement? And the best NAD supplement
- NAD supplement side effects
What is Inflammation?
Inflammation is a normal process in which the immune system fights infection and promotes tissue repair. If you cut your finger, for example, you'd experience pain, swelling, and redness. These are the signs of inflammation doing its job. As the cut heals, inflammation shuts off.
However, chronic inflammation occurs when the immune system continuously detects a threat and doesn't turn off properly. It's chronic inflammation that is associated with symptoms and disease. From a Functional Medicine perspective, we want to understand what drives inflammation (a gut imbalance, food sensitivity, toxin exposure, etc.) and use targeted approaches to reduce inflammation to promote health.
"From a Functional Medicine perspective, we want to understand what drives inflammation (a gut imbalance, food sensitivity, toxin exposure, etc.) and use targeted approaches to reduce inflammation to promote health."
The NAD - Inflammation Connection
NAD is an antioxidant involved in oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions. It's essential inside the mitochondria in cells to produce energy, but many other cellular processes also require it. Increasing NAD levels benefits cardiovascular health, longevity, and inflammatory responses. (Source 1)
"Increasing NAD levels benefits cardiovascular health, longevity, and inflammatory responses."
IL-13 is an interleukin, a chemical messenger involved in inflammatory signaling. New research suggests that increasing NAD levels inside cells can reduce IL-13 production, therefore reducing inflammation in the body. (Source 1)
Other research suggests that the effects of NAD may include helping to maintain gut barrier integrity, and low levels are associated with gut dysbiosis (microbiome imbalances) and inflammation. Increasing NAD levels may help reduce inflammation in the gut and favorably impact gut microbiome composition. (Source 2)
The importance of NAD for inflammation reduction can translate to specific medical conditions. One animal study focused on kidney disease secondary to diabetes (a highly inflammatory condition). Researchers found that supplementation to boost NAD supports mitochondrial function, decreases inflammation, and helps prevent disease progression. (Source 3)
"Researchers found that supplementation to boost NAD supports mitochondrial function, decreases inflammation, and helps prevent disease progression."
What is NAD Supplement?
Supplementation is the fastest way to increase NAD levels and offset age-related decline. However, not all supplements are created equal.
"Supplementation is the fastest way to increase NAD levels and offset age-related decline. However, not all supplements are created equal."
Most NAD supplements aren't NAD itself; they're precursors derived from niacin (vitamin B3) that the body must convert into active NAD+. These include:
- NR (nicotinamide riboside)
- NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide)
- NAM (nicotinamide)
- NRH (dihydronicotinamide riboside)
NRH, for example, may promote inflammation instead of dampening it because of how it affects immune cells. (Source 4)
Further, precursor supplements are poorly absorbed and may require several steps to convert to the active NAD+ form. The best NAD supplement is taking NAD+ itself in liposomal form for improved absorption and bioavailability.
NAD Supplement Side Effects
NAD sounds pretty good for decreasing inflammation, but what are the NAD supplement side effects?
NAD precursors at very high dosages (3 to 6 grams) may lead to headaches, dizziness, and vomiting. Additionally, niacin (vitamin B3 supplements) at dosages over 1 gram may produce flushing and other symptoms in sensitive individuals. Read more about possible side effects here. (Source 5)
Core Med Science Liposomal NAD+ doesn't use precursors; instead, NAD+ is active and immediately usable by cells. Additionally, because of the increased absorption rate, you'll see benefits at low, safe dosages. For these reasons, the liposomal NAD+ tends to be well-tolerated. In fact, many Core Med Science customers report immediate boosts in energy and brain function.
The benefits of NAD include the power to reduce inflammation and promote cellular energy, overall wellness, healthy aging, and longevity. A dietary supplement like Core Med Science Liposomal NAD+ Liquid is the best option!
References:
- Pugel, A. D., Schoenfeld, A. M., Alsaifi, S. Z., Holmes, J. R., & Morrison, B. E. (2024). The Role of NAD+and NAD+-Boosting Therapies in Inflammatory Response by IL-13. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 17(2), 226.
- Niño-Narvión, J., Rojo-López, M. I., Martinez-Santos, P., Rossell, J., Ruiz-Alcaraz, A. J., Alonso, N., Ramos-Molina, B., Mauricio, D., & Julve, J. (2023). NAD+ Precursors and Intestinal Inflammation: Therapeutic Insights Involving Gut Microbiota. Nutrients, 15(13), 2992.
- Myakala, K., Wang, X. X., Shults, N. V., Krawczyk, E., Jones, B. A., Yang, X., Rosenberg, A. Z., Ginley, B., Sarder, P., Brodsky, L., Jang, Y., Na, C. H., Qi, Y., Zhang, X., Guha, U., Wu, C., Bansal, S., Ma, J., Cheema, A., Albanese, C., … Levi, M. (2023). NAD metabolism modulates inflammation and mitochondria function in diabetic kidney disease. The Journal of biological chemistry, 299(8), 104975.
- https://www.nad.com/news/nad-precursor-nrh-inflammation-macrophage-immune-cells
- Hwang, E. S., & Song, S. B. (2020). Possible Adverse Effects of High-Dose Nicotinamide: Mechanisms and Safety Assessment. Biomolecules, 10(5), 687.