The Science

Before we answer the question of what NAD+ is, perhaps we should start by exploring what this whole NAD fuss is all about. Scientists have discovered that as we get older, our NAD+ levels steadily decrease, and by the time we get to our late 70s and 80s, our NAD+ levels appear to be very much lower, than those of younger people.

Well, the science is starting to clearly show a definite correlation between falling NAD levels and an age-related decline in health & wellness. In 2013 Harvard researchers published a study, where they were able to reverse some parts of aging by treating old mice with Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), a direct NAD+ precursor supplement. After ten days of treatment, key biometrics markers of the mice that were measured resembled those of much younger mice. For the first time, we have real evidence that some aspects of aging may be reversible. In 2017 the same research team published a follow-up article. It demonstrated a new understanding of how NAD+ is not only used to repair damaged DNA but how it also stimulates the repair process. It does this by blocking another protein called DBC1 that interferes with the PARP-1 DNA Repair enzyme.This is a key finding because of a long-held understanding of the aging process was due to the accumulation of DNA damage.

NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a molecule found in all living cells and is essential for life. It exists in two forms, NAD+ the oxidized form and NADH the reduced form. NAD is responsible for many critical cell functions, such as energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, calcium hemostasis and gene expression.

Read the article  Scientist Can Reverse Aging in Mice

A 12-month long study carried out by the University of Washington St Louis (as published in Cell Metabolism), found that oral supplementation of NMN in mice was safe and effective at improving NAD+ levels. Mice, supplemented with NMN vs. a control group, showed remarkable age-associated differences in body weight gain, energy metabolism, blood sugar, lipid metabolism, gene expression changes, mitochondrial oxygen use, eye function, bone density and immune function with no apparent toxic effects.

The study showed that oral administration of NMN was quick to action, effectively raising NAD+ levels in minutes. NMN showed a sharp increase in the blood measurement after only 2.5 minutes. It increased NAD+ levels in the liver in just 10 minutes and muscle tissue by 30 minutes.

The Mitochondria is regularly called the powerhouse of the cell. This is because most of the chemical energy needed to sustain life is produced inside the mitochondria by a process called oxidative phosphorylation that produces ATP. The mitochondria are NAD-dependent for functional mechanics and coordination with the cell Nucleus.

References

A New-and Reversible-Cause of Aging - Harvard Medical School

Age Related Changes in NAD+ Metabolism Oxidative Stress and Sirt1 Activity in Wistar Rats.

In vivo NAD assay reveals the intracellular NAD contents and redox state in healthy human brain and their age dependences.

Long-Term Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Mitigates Age-Associated Physiological Decline in Mice.