NAD is Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (yup. That is why they shortened it).
What is it?
NAD is involved in metabolic pathways in the cell. It has two forms: oxidized NAD+ and reduced NADH forms. It helps transfer electrons and protons during enzymatic reactions. So it is important in the citric acid cycle, glycolysis, and mitochondrial function. These are basic important functions of your cell. When they don’t function well, your cells all over your body start to degrade.
As you age, levels of NAD+ steadily decline. It is this idea that has driven the NAD+ focus in antiaging. It is cited to be beneficial in anti-aging, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, diabetes, hearing loss, and heart disease, jet lag, fatty lever, depression, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and improves endurance of your muscles. Oh my! (Does it do laundry too?)
On the cellular level:
- DNA repair
- cell signaling
- immune function
- mitochondrial fitness.
Can you supplement NAD?
Nicotinamide is a water-soluble form of niacin (Vitamin B3). You can get this from food sources: beef, cereal, eggs, fish, nuts, and poultry. People have tried to supplement it with pills of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), which is another precursor for NAD. There is also IV infusions available of NAD+.
My thoughts?
This is an area of real interest for me as a woman of a certain age. How can we age better? It’s not just to look good (yes, I get that I am a plastic surgeon). It is also to feel good. To exercise without pain. B3 has been shown to lower rates of skin cancer (see my blog HERE).
There is for sure something there. Studies are out showing objective improvements, though most of those are small studies or studies done on mice.
As with everything, you have to look at the underbelly- what is the negative? There are some studies showing high doses of NADH supplements may lead to anxiety and sleeplessness. There is research with shows excessive intake of niacin and nicotinamide can lead to Parkinsons and diabetes.
Stay tuned for more blogs. But I do think there is really *something* here.