NAD+ is found in every cell in your body and is essential for creating cellular energy and maintaining cellular health. Levels of this critical molecule correlate with health status in aging. Its levels naturally decline with age, contributing to many age-related diseases.

NAD+ levels usually decline gradually after age 30 and become more significant in people over 50 due to decreased production and increased consumption within the body. As we age, the enzymes responsible for NAD+ synthesis become less efficient, and there's a rise in activity of enzymes like CD38 that degrade NAD+, often due to factors like chronic inflammation and DNA damage. Lower NAD+ levels can lead to reduced cellular energy, impaired DNA repair, and other age-related health issues.

Poor diet, lack of exercise, and chronic stress also contribute to NAD+ decline as well as in response to stressors on your body, like alcohol consumption, sun exposure and lack of sleep.

Low levels of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) can have several adverse effects on the body due to its central role in numerous cellular processes. Here are some of the consequences associated with reduced NAD+ levels:

• Decreased Energy Production: NAD+ is essential for cellular respiration, specifically in the processes of glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, which generate ATP—the primary energy currency of the cell. Low NAD+ levels can lead to reduced ATP production, resulting in fatigue and decreased cellular function
• Impaired DNA Repair: NAD+ is a critical substrate for enzymes like PARPs (poly ADP-ribose polymerases) that are involved in DNA repair mechanisms. Insufficient NAD+ can hinder the repair of damaged DNA, leading to genetic instability, which is associated with aging and an increased risk of diseases like cancer.
• Metabolic Dysregulation: NAD+ plays a significant role in metabolic pathways that regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. Low levels can contribute to metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Reduced Sirtuin Activity: Sirtuins are a family of NAD+-dependent enzymes that regulate aging, inflammation, and stress resistance. Decreased NAD+ impairs sirtuin function, potentially accelerating aging processes and increasing susceptibility to age-related diseases.
• Neurodegeneration: Adequate NAD+ levels are important for neuronal health. Reduced NAD+ has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, possibly due to impaired energy metabolism in neurons and increased oxidative stress.
• Weakened Immune Function: NAD+ influences immune cell function and the body's inflammatory responses. Lower levels may impair the immune system's ability to combat infections and manage inflammation effectively.
• Increased Oxidative Stress: NAD+ is involved in redox reactions that help neutralize free radicals. A deficiency can lead to an imbalance, causing cellular damage from oxidative stress.
• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: NAD+ is crucial for mitochondrial health. Reduced levels can impair mitochondrial function, leading to decreased energy production and increased production of reactive oxygen species.
• Cellular senescence: NAD+ is involved in regulating cellular senescence, a process in which cells stop dividing and become less functional. Premature cellular senescence is leading to tissue aging and decline. 
• Increased risk of chronic diseases: Low NAD+ levels have been linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic disorders.

Maintaining adequate NAD+ levels is important for overall health, especially as natural levels tend to decline with age. Research is ongoing to explore interventions—such as NAD+ precursors like nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide—that may help boost NAD+ levels and mitigate these adverse effects.

There are several ways to maintain or boost NAD+ levels, but only NAD+ precursor supplementation has been clinically proven to safely and sustainably increase NAD+ levels. These precursors, nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), are key ingredients in our NR and NMN supplements.

Engaging in exercise may help sustain NAD+ levels. Research published in Nature Aging examined metabolites in muscle tissue from both younger and older adults. The findings revealed that older adults who exercised vigorously had NAD+ levels comparable to those of the younger group. Since this study focused solely on muscle tissue, additional research is needed to understand how exercise affects NAD+ levels throughout the entire body.

Regarding dietary sources, as previously mentioned, foods contain trace amounts of NAD+ precursors. Small amounts of NMN are present in vegetables like broccoli, cucumber, and cabbage, as well as in some fruits. NR can also be found in foods, especially milk, but studies indicate that the quantities are in the low micromolar range—meaning they are quite minimal.

A recent study by researchers at the University of New South Wales has revealed a significant connection between aging and NAD+ levels. They found that NAD+ levels can decline by up to 50% between the ages of 40 and 60. 

A paper published in Translational Medicine of Aging suggests that boosting NAD+ levels could be a powerful strategy for combating the effects of aging. The researchers state that "NAD+ replenishment may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for aging and multiple conditions.

This groundbreaking research indicates that supplementing with NAD+ could potentially slow down certain aspects of the aging process. Fortunately, there are several NAD+ supplements available on the market to help you support your body's natural functions and maintain optimal health.

In recent years, NAD+ has emerged as a prized molecule in scientific research due to its central role in essential biological functions. The scientific community is investigating how NAD+ contributes to notable health benefits observed in animal studies, with hopes of translating these findings to humans. So, what makes NAD+ so crucial? In essence, it acts as a coenzyme or "helper" molecule, binding to other enzymes to facilitate molecular reactions.

However, the body's supply of NAD+ is not endless; it actually declines with age. The rich history of NAD+ research and its growing significance have opened the floodgates for scientists to explore ways to maintain and enhance NAD+ levels.