Common NAD Side Effects
What is NAD Supplement Therapy and Its Side Effects?
NAD+ is not a new supplement, but recent anti-aging research has propelled it to the forefront, and more people are benefiting than ever before. One of the most common questions remains: What is NAD supplement therapy and what are potential NAD side effects?
When trying a new supplement, it’s helpful to understand how it works in the body and what you can expect. Some supplements have possible side effects or medication interactions; we always recommend discussing supplementation with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
Today’s article will dive into NAD side effects. You’ll learn more about what to expect with this supplement and how much is too much. First, let’s review the benefits of NAD+ and the supplemental forms.
Keep reading as we cover:
• NAD+ supplements
• Niacin recommendations (RDA)
• NAD+ dosing and side effects
• Liposomal NAD+
NAD+ Supplements
What is NAD supplement therapy? NAD+ is the active form of vitamin B3 (niacin). It’s used by every cell of your body to turn fuel (carbs, fat, and protein) into energy (ATP). It’s also involved in DNA repair and gene expression. Levels decline as you age, and restoring them seems key to living a longer, healthier life. NAD supplement therapy involves taking NAD+ supplements to help fill any nutritional gaps in your diet.
Core Med Science offers NAD+ itself in an effective liposomal delivery system (more on this below). Still, you’ll find most supplements on the market as forms of niacin that the body needs to convert into NAD+. These molecules are called precursors. Forms of NAD+ in supplements include:
• Nicotinamide (NAM)
• Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
• Nicotinamide riboside (NR)
Niacin RDA
The RDA (recommended dietary allowance) for niacin is 16 mg NE (niacin equivalent) for adult men, 14 mg NE for adult women, and 18 mg NE during pregnancy daily. Niacin is widespread in the food supply; most people meet these requirements through diet. (Source 1)
The highest sources of niacin are animal foods like liver, chicken, turnkey, salmon, pork, and beef. The highest plant sources are brown rice, peanuts, potatoes, and sunflower seeds. You also get niacin in fortified foods, B complex supplements, and multivitamins. (Source 1)
Meeting your daily needs for niacin does not ensure sufficient NAD+ levels in cells. As we age, making NAD+ from niacin and precursors becomes more challenging.
“Meeting your daily needs for niacin does not ensure sufficient NAD+ levels in cells. As we age, making NAD+ from niacin and precursors becomes more challenging.”
NAD+ Supplement Dosing and Side Effects
Many dosing studies look at NAD+ precursors instead of NAD+ itself, particularly nicotinamide (NAM).
In studies, the typical dose of NAM is between 500 and 3000 mg per day. Although niacin is water soluble and excess is excreted via the urine, NAM at high doses over time may contribute to neurological dysfunction, depression, and inflammation. (Source 2)
According to animal studies, the lethal dose in 50% of the sample is 2.5 grams of NAM per kilogram of body weight. In humans, this would be an incredibly high dose, around 150 grams. (Source 2)
High doses, considered 3 to 6 grams, may produce some side effects such as:
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Vomiting (Source 2)
Niacin (nicotinic acid) at 1 to 3 grams daily may be used as part of a treatment approach for high cholesterol. The most common side effect is flushing. But people also report:
• Low blood pressure
• Fatigue
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Vision changes (Source 1)
High doses of niacin over the long term may also affect liver health. (Source 1)
Niacin supplements may also interact with certain medications, like antidepressants and insulin. Please work with your functional medicine healthcare professional for personalized guidance regarding NAD+ supplements and dosing, especially if you take medication or have a medical condition.
Liposomal NAD+
Core Med Science Liposomal NAD+ offers an alternative to the niacin and NAD+ precursors on supplement shelves. It’s different in three key ways:
1. It contains NAD+ itself in its active, usable form. Cells can use NAD+ immediately and don’t need to use resources to convert a precursor into NAD+.
2. The liposomal delivery system improves absorption and tolerance of the supplement. Where traditional supplements may cause gastrointestinal and other side effects, liposomal technology is typically better tolerated.
3. Because of enhanced absorption, the effective dosage of NAD+ is a fraction of that you need to take with precursors. Instead of taking thousands of milligrams, a single dose is just 100 mg, which offers protection from adverse effects associated with high doses.
“Core Med Science Liposomal NAD+ offers an alternative to the niacin and NAD+ precursors on supplement shelves.”
Additionally, NAD+ works in synergy with other bioactive compounds to increase NAD+ in the cells. These nutrients are called “geroprotectors” because of their anti-aging properties, and you’ll find several in Core Med Science supplements:
• Coenzyme Q10
• Flavonoids – quercetin, luteolin, apigenin
• EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) (Source 3)
Although NAD side effects are rare, they depend on the type of supplementation and dosage, with higher doses contributing to more side effects. Core Med Science Liposomal NAD+ lowers side effect risk by using the active form of NAD+ in a liposomal formulation, allowing for a lower effective dose. Plus, you can combine NAD+ with other bioactive compounds for synergistic benefits.
“Although NAD side effects are rare, they depend on the type of supplementation and dosage, with higher doses contributing to more side effects.”
References:
1. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Niacin Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Accessed 2/21/24 at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Niacin-HealthProfessional/
2. Hwang, E. S., & Song, S. B. (2020). Possible Adverse Effects of High-Dose Nicotinamide: Mechanisms and Safety Assessment. Biomolecules, 10(5), 687. Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7277745/
3. Sharma, A., Chabloz, S., Lapides, R. A., Roider, E., & Ewald, C. Y. (2023). Potential Synergistic Supplementation of NAD+ Promoting Compounds as a Strategy for Increasing Healthspan. Nutrients, 15(2), 445.