NAD is a coenzyme that is found in all cells and plays a crucial function in the metabolism of those cells. The benefits of NAD to one’s body is directly related to its importance to perform all the related body functions. This nutrient occurs in two basic forms: NAD+, which is the form of NAD that is free to perform all of its activities, and NADH, which is the form of NAD that has been occupied by electrons and is thus unable to fulfill its functions. Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is the molecule that cells use to exchange and generate energy. NAD+ is required for this conversion to take place, and it is produced by the body when we ingest certain nutrients. NAD+ is involved in more than half of all physiological functions, according to research.
What are the benefits of NAD+ and boosting it in the body?
Reductions in serum levels of the molecule have been associated with a variety of age-related ailments, including accelerated aging, metabolic problems, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration. Low NAD+ levels are associated with age-related disease, which is thought to be due to a reduction in functional metabolism. Restoring NAD+ levels in animal models, on the other hand, has shown anti-aging advantages, with promising outcomes in the treatment of age-related disorders, as well as in the improvement of lifespan and healthspan. It carries out the following responsibilities:
1. Reverse Aging Effects
Sirtuins are genes that protect organisms against degeneration and sickness by inhibiting certain enzymes. The body is protected when genes recognize physical stress, such as exercise or hunger, and they organize soldiers to guard it. When expressed in model animals, sirtuins help to maintain genomic integrity, promote DNA repair, and have anti-aging properties. Nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD+) is the energy source that drives the genes. However, much as a car cannot run without fuel, sirtuins cannot function without NAD+.
According to a study, boosting the body’s NAD+ level activates sirtuins, which in turn helps yeast, worms, and mice live for longer periods of time. While NAD+ replenishment has shown promising results in animal models, scientists are presently researching whether or not these findings are applicable to people in the real world.
2. Improve Physical Performance / Muscle Functions
Mitochondria, which function as the body’s powerhouse, is also important for exercise performance. NAD+ is necessary for the maintenance of healthy mitochondria and constant energy production. In mice, increasing NAD+ levels in muscle improve the mitochondria and fitness. Additionally, other research demonstrates that mice given NAD+ boosters are slimmer and can run farther on the treadmill, indicating a greater ability for exercise. Animals that have a greater amount of NAD+ outperform their contemporaries as they age.
3. Control Weight Gain / Metabolic Disorders
Obesity, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified as an epidemic, is one of the most prevalent disorders in modern life. Obesity can contribute to the development of other metabolic illnesses, such as diabetes, which claimed 1.6 million lives worldwide in 2016. Aging and a high-fat diet deplete the body of NAD+. NAD+ supplements have been proven to reduce diet- and age-related weight gain in mice and to increase their exercise ability, even in elderly animals. Other research demonstrated the ability to reverse the diabetic impact in female mice, indicating the development of novel techniques to combat metabolic problems.
4. Protect from Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s Diseases
According to WHO, the global population of people aged 60 and beyond will quadruple by 2050. Globally, people live longer. However, age is a major risk factor for several neurological illnesses, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Raising the NAD+ level in Alzheimer’s disease mice can reduce protein buildup that impairs cell communication and improve cognitive performance. Increasing NAD+ levels also protects brain cells from death when the brain receives inadequate blood supply. Numerous research in animal models has shown novel strategies for promoting healthy brain aging and defending against neurodegeneration.
5. Improve Heart Function
Hypertension can result in an enlarged heart and clogged arteries, which can result in strokes. Increasing NAD+ levels protects the heart and improves cardiac function. NAD+ boosters restored NAD+ levels in the heart to baseline levels in mice and protected the heart from injury induced by a lack of blood flow. Additional research has demonstrated that NAD+ boosters can protect mice from developing pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
Besides exercise, diet, fasting and sunlight that can affect the levels of NAD+ in one’s body, NAD boosters that include NMN, the pathway precursor molecule of NAD is gaining traction as supplement since its daily long term use by longevity scientist such as Dr. David Sinclair.
