Lack of energy, slower recovery after physical exertion, feeling like you don't have enough strength for the day – experiences that many accept as a natural consequence of aging. But what if the roots of these changes lie not in chronological age, but in the biochemical processes constantly occurring in every cell of the body?

Today, science is increasingly delving into cellular biochemistry and searching for answers to the question of what determines our vitality. One of the hottest topics is the molecule called NAD+, with discoveries related to it changing our understanding of energy and cellular resilience in the long term.

In this article, we will explain scientifically, yet simply, what NAD+ is and why the level of this molecule in the body is so important for our well-being.

A Journey into the Cell: What is NAD+?

Imagine your body as a huge city, and cells as individual buildings. For a city to function, each building needs energy. In our cells, this energy (called ATP) is produced by tiny powerhouses – mitochondria. For mitochondria to work, they need fuel.

This is where NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) comes in. It is one of the most important coenzymes, acting as a primary energy carrier. It takes energy from the food we eat and transports it to the mitochondria. Here, it is converted into fuel suitable for cells. Without NAD+, this essential process for the vitality of every cell would simply stop [1].

However, the role of NAD+ is much more diverse. It also acts as an activator for other vital molecules that protect and maintain our cells.

Sirtuins – Longevity Genes Asking for Fuel

A special repair team operates in our cells – a family of proteins called sirtuins. They are often referred to as longevity genes in popular science literature because they perform critically important functions:

• Maintain genetic information and help protect it from daily environmental stress.
• Maintain cellular balance and help the body cope with natural metabolic stress.
• Regulate metabolism and help maintain smooth energy metabolism.

The most important thing is that sirtuin activity is completely dependent on NAD+. When NAD+ levels are optimal, sirtuins are active and can effectively perform their work. When NAD+ is lacking, their function slows down, which affects the overall vitality of the body [3].

The challenge lies in the fact that the natural level of NAD+ in our body drastically decreases with age – it is estimated that by middle age, its concentration in cells can decrease by about half [2].

How to Optimize NAD+ Levels?

Since the NAD+ molecule itself is too large to easily enter cells directly, scientists have developed NAD+ precursors – smaller molecules that our body can directly use to produce cellular NAD+.

• Nicotinamide Riboside (NR). This is a specific form of vitamin B3 that cells particularly efficiently convert into NAD+. Many clinical studies have shown that NR is an effective way to increase NAD+ concentration in the body [4, 5]. Due to its strong scientific basis, NR is approved as a safe and legal food supplement ingredient in the European Union. Specifically, a 150 mg portion of NR, along with pure NAD+ (200 mg), is used in innovative QED NAD Booster formulas.
• Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN). Although NMN is also a known NAD+ precursor, it is important to mention that in the European Union, NMN currently does not have approved food supplement status, so its sale is restricted.
• Other forms. Although classic forms of vitamin B3 (niacin, niacinamide) can participate in NAD+ metabolism, they have drawbacks – niacin often causes skin redness (niacin flush), and very high concentrations of niacinamide may be ineffective for sirtuins.

Strategies for Maintaining NAD+ Levels: Intravenous Supplementation or Oral Forms?

With the ability to optimize NAD+ levels, two main methods have become popular:

• Intravenous NAD+ supplementation. This is a direct way to deliver the coenzyme into the body's systems, under the supervision of specialists. This method can be beneficial for achieving a rapid restorative effect in a clinical setting. However, these procedures require time, specialized care, and the effect itself diminishes over time without continuous maintenance.
• Oral NAD+ and its precursors (e.g., NR in a complex). High-quality food supplements are designed for daily, long-term use. They work consistently, continuously supplying cells with the materials needed to maintain stable NAD+ levels. This is a convenient and sustainable way to integrate biological optimization into your routine.

Important Aspects from a Scientific Perspective

While NAD+ and its precursors (NR) have a strong safety profile, science in this field is constantly evolving. We draw attention to several facts:

• Data perspective. Although sirtuin activation and NAD+ support appear to be one of the most promising ways to maintain the biological potential of cells, the scientific community is still collecting data on the results of very long-term, continuous use spanning decades.
• Individual body conditions. There are theoretical scientific assumptions that increased NAD+ levels optimize the activity of all cells. For this reason, individuals with specific cellular mutations or those in an active phase of treatment must consult with their supervising specialists before taking any cellular-level optimization measures [6].
• Individual biochemistry. As with any substance, the metabolic response may vary depending on an individual's unique genetics and lifestyle.

Summary

NAD+ is an essential coenzyme in our body, necessary for smooth cellular energy metabolism and biological resilience. The natural decrease of this molecule is closely related to aging. Targeted nutritional supplementation with NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide riboside (NR), is a scientifically based strategy to maintain the level of this coenzyme, aiming to optimize energy metabolism and support sirtuin function.

It is important to remember that no single molecule can replace the fundamental principles of health. A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and quality sleep remain the foundational basis. Targeted NAD+ support should be considered a valuable tool, complementing a general and responsible holistic wellness strategy.

Scientific Sources

[1] Canto, C., & Auwerx, J. (2009). PGC-1alpha, SIRT1 and AMPK, an energy sensing network that controls energy expenditure. Current Opinion in Lipidology.

[2] Massudi, H., Grant, R., Braidy, N., Guest, J., Farnsworth, B., & Guillemin, G. J. (2012). Age-associated changes in oxidative stress and NAD+ metabolism in human tissue. PLoS ONE.

[3] Imai, S., & Guarente, L. (2014). NAD+ and sirtuins in aging and disease. Trends in Cell Biology.

[4] Trammell, S. A., et al. (2016). Nicotinamide riboside is a major NAD+ precursor vitamin in cow milk. The Journal of Nutrition.

[5] Martens, C. R., et al. (2018). Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Nature Communications.

[6] Navas, L. E., & Carnero, A. (2021). NAD+ metabolism, stemness, the immune response, and cancer. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.