What are NAD Supplements?
NAD supplements are rising in popularity and for a good reason. New research suggests improving NAD+ levels in cells slows and reverses the aging process. Because all cells require NAD+ for energy production and other functions, it becomes a key regulator of overall health.
But what are NAD+ supplements? And do they really work? Keep reading to learn more about this critical nutrient and what to look for when supplement shopping. We’ll cover:
• Niacin and NAD+
• NAD+ supplements
• Liposomal NAD+
Niacin and NAD+
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is the active form of niacin (vitamin B3) used by cells. As a cofactor in energy production pathways in the mitochondria, NAD+ accepts electrons to form NADH, which is then recycled back to NAD+ to be used again. For the chemistry buffs, NAD+ is the oxidized form and NADH is the reduced form. (Source 1)
Read more about NAD+ biochemistry in NAD+ Supplement Therapy Benefits.
Because of its critical role in energy production and other cellular functions, NAD+ is essential for life. You can’t live without it and need a constant supply. So, anything that reduces NAD+, like stress, toxins, inflammation, and alcohol, will speed up aging and slow down cells’ ability to produce energy.
As we age, NAD+ levels decrease because it becomes harder to make NAD+ from dietary forms of niacin or recycle it from NADH back into NAD+. Plus, older cells use up NAD+ more quickly. NAD+-depleted cells are more likely to experience oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage. (Source 2)
“NAD+-depleted cells are more likely to experience oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage.”
On a macro level, low NAD+ feels like:
• Low energy
• Poor focus and motivation
• Circadian rhythm out of balance
• High stress
• Decreased metabolic function
While there are lifestyle habits and natural ways to promote better NAD+ levels, we can’t stop the chronological clock. We can, however, use NAD+ supplements to restore healthy levels in cells and slow cellular aging.
NAD+ Supplements
NAD+ supplements work to offset the challenges of maintaining robust NAD+ levels, whether low levels are from natural aging or other factors, like drug use or chronic disease.
As NAD+ levels increase in the cell, they activate sirtuins, special enzymes that regulate specific genes related to energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, and cellular homeostasis. More NAD+ in cells means better sirtuin production, which slows aging. It’s no wonder sirtuins are considered the fountain of youth! (Source 3)
The goal with supplementation is that the oral supplement translates to higher NAD+ levels inside cells where needed. You can increase NAD+ levels with niacin, although high doses of niacin can cause flushing. Other options are NAD+ precursors like nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) or nicotinamide riboside (NR) that the body can use to synthesize NAD+. (Source 2)
“The goal with supplementation is that the oral supplement translates to higher NAD+ levels inside cells where needed.”
The downside of using NMN or NR is that they are poorly absorbed and require high dosages. Ideally, you’d want to use NAD+ itself so it’s in the exact form cells need. Remember, as you age, it’s harder for your body to make new NAD+.
Historically, it’s been hard to take NAD+ as an oral supplement because NAD+ is unstable and easily converts to NADH. As you get older, it’s also hard for your cells to recycle NADH back to NAD+.
So, given all these challenges with NAD+ supplementation, what’s the solution? Enter liposomal NAD+.
Liposomal NAD+
Core Med Science Liposomal NAD+ is physician-formulated to improve the absorption, stability, and bioavailability of NAD+. With this supplement, you can take NAD+ directly in its active form. How is this possible? Because of the liposomal delivery system, which is a fatty membrane that surrounds the NAD+ and mimics human cell membranes.
With a liposomal formula, NAD+ stays intact, absorbs into the bloodstream quickly, and goes where your body needs it, into the mitochondria of cells.
“With a liposomal formula, NAD+ stays intact, absorbs into the bloodstream quickly, and goes where your body needs it, into the mitochondria of cells.”
Core Med Science Liposomal NAD+ supplies 100mg of pure NAD+ per dose in a pleasant-tasting, allergen-friendly liquid formula. If you need a different dose, the liquid option makes starting slow and working up to the full dose easy.
A healthy lifestyle plus liposomal NAD+ can be part of your anti-aging and health-promoting strategy. As the popularity of NAD+ supplements continues to rise, be aware that not all supplements are created equal, and many options have significant limitations in absorption and bioavailability. Consider Core Med Science Liposomal NAD+ in your search for energy, vitality, and robust health through the decades.
References:
1. Nikiforov, A., Dölle, C., Niere, M., & Ziegler, M. (2011). Pathways and subcellular compartmentation of NAD biosynthesis in human cells: from entry of extracellular precursors to mitochondrial NAD generation. The Journal of biological chemistry, 286(24), 21767–21778. Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122232/
2. Mehmel, M., Jovanović, N., & Spitz, U. (2020). Nicotinamide Riboside-The Current State of Research and Therapeutic Uses. Nutrients, 12(6), 1616. Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352172/
3. van de Ven, R. A. H., Santos, D., & Haigis, M. C. (2017). Mitochondrial Sirtuins and Molecular Mechanisms of Aging. Trends in molecular medicine, 23(4), 320–331.