HealthNAD+: What You Need To Know

Introduction

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme for redox reactions, making it an essential part of energy metabolism. NAD+ can directly and indirectly influence many important cellular functions, including metabolic pathways, DNA repair, chromatin remodeling, cellular senescence and immune cell function. These processes are important for maintaining tissue and healthy ageing.

• What is Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+)?

1. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a coenzymecentral to metabolism. It is a metabolite of Vitamin B3.
2. NAD+ is a part of fundamental biological processes, such as energy metabolism and mitochondrial function.
3. In cellular metabolism, NAD is involved in redox reactions, carrying electronsfrom one reaction to another.

• The functions of NAD+

1. DNA repair
2. Turns genes on and off
3. Communication of cells
4. Cell repair
5. Maintains neurotransmitter levels
6. ATP production in cells

• Loss of NAD+ due to age/unhealthy habits and its effects

1. Ageing is strongly associated with most neurodegenerative diseases and is accompanied by decreased cellular NAD+levels in the brain.
2. A poor or disrupted circadian rhythm (sleep schedule) can also lead to decreased NAD+ levels.
3. Obesity and an impacted metabolism has also shown to have effects on NAD+ levels.
4. NAD+ depletion was seen in several models of accelerated ageing which showed neurodegeneration as well as in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
5. Decline of NAD+ levels were also linked to the development of several ageing-related diseases such as, arthritis, hypertension, cancer, cognitive degradation and diabetes.

• What can we do? Intervention and the restoration of NAD+ levels

1. Healthy lifestyle habits and changes have shown to be effective in the upkeep and restoration of NAD+ levels.
2. Increasing exercise levels and a healthy BMI.
3. Reducing caloric intake and eating a healthy diet.
4. A consistent daily circadian rhythm and sleep schedule.
5. Certain foods have also been found to contain amounts of NAD+ that can help boost your own.
6. Proteins such as beef, chicken and fish.
7. Healthy dairy products.
8. Whole and enriched grains.
9. Vegetables and fruits.
10. Time-restricted feeding and a ketogenic diet work in part by increasing NAD+levels, which leads to the activation of sirtuins (sirtuins are continuously active in our cells, they regulate key metabolic processes, stress responses and ageing biology).
11. Therapeutic intervention and supplements can also boost NAD+ levels, such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)and nicotinamide riboside (NR). All of these approaches promote tissue NAD+levels and are beneficial for health.

Conclusion

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) is already apart of all of our bodies, but special care must be taken to maintain healthy amounts of it while contending with the effects of age and general degradation, key factors that affect NAD+ levels are, weight, sleep and diet. Supplements associated with NAD+ are also available but proper care must be taken in knowing what will be right for you, make sure to consult with your primary physician before introducing any new supplements into your daily life.