NAD+: Is It the Fountain of Youth or Just Another Overhyped Supplement?

I was browsing through social media recently when I saw another celebrity talking about getting NAD+ infusions. It made me smile because over the decades of reading and writing about natural health, I've watched one 'miracle' supplement after another make headlines. Some stood the test of time, and I even take them myself. Others quietly disappeared.

So…where does NAD+ fit?

The answer isn't as simple as the advertisements would have you believe.

What Is NAD+?

First of all, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+, is a substance found in every cell of your body. It helps convert the food you eat into energy and plays an important role in hundreds of chemical reactions.

Scientists also know that NAD+ helps repair DNA, supports healthy mitochondria, and activates proteins called sirtuins that are involved in aging and metabolism.

One consistent finding among researchers is that NAD+ levels decline as we get older.

That naturally raises an interesting question.

If our NAD+ levels go down with age, would increasing them help us stay healthier?

That's what scientists are trying to answer.

Why All the Excitement?

It turns out much of the enthusiasm comes from studies in mice.

When researchers boosted NAD+ levels in laboratory animals, they often found improvements in metabolism, muscle function, endurance, and overall health. Some studies even suggested longer lifespans.

While those are impressive results, animal studies are where research begins, not where it ends.

What About NAD+ IV Therapy?

One of the newest trends involves receiving NAD+ through intravenous infusions.

These treatments can cost several hundred dollars, or even over a thousand dollars per session.

Supporters claim IV therapy works faster and produces better results than oral supplements.

The problem?

There is surprisingly little high-quality research showing that NAD+ IV therapy provides long-term health benefits.

At this point, most of the claims are based on testimonials rather than large, well-controlled clinical trials.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work.

It simply means we don't know yet.

Are There Risks?

Overall, studies suggest that NAD+ precursors like NR and NMN are generally well tolerated when taken for relatively short periods.

Reported side effects have usually been mild and may include nausea, stomach discomfort, headache, fatigue, or diarrhea.

What researchers don't yet know is whether taking high doses for many years is completely safe.

Since these supplements affect cellular metabolism, many scientists believe long-term studies are still needed.

What Have Human Studies Found?

So…here's the encouraging human news.

Several clinical trials have shown that supplements such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) do increase NAD+ levels in humans.

That part seems well established.

The harder question is whether higher NAD+ levels actually make people healthier.

Some studies suggest they might.

Researchers have reported modest improvements in muscle function, insulin sensitivity, and certain markers of metabolic health in some groups of people.

On the other hand, several well-designed clinical trials found little or no improvement in physical performance, blood sugar, memory, or overall health, even though NAD+ levels increased significantly.

In other words, boosting NAD+ may be easier than proving it produces meaningful health benefits.

A recent review of human studies reached much the same conclusion. The supplements consistently raise NAD+ levels, but there isn't enough evidence yet to say they slow aging or prevent disease.

That's an important distinction that sometimes gets lost in the marketing,

Can You Raise NAD+ Naturally?

This is the part I find especially interesting.

Many of the same lifestyle habits we've been hearing about, and that I’ve been writing about for years, also appear to support healthy NAD+ levels.

Regular exercise stimulates mitochondrial function.

Getting enough sleep allows your body to repair itself.

Eating foods rich in vitamin B3 gives your body the raw materials it needs to produce NAD+.

Some research also suggests that intermittent fasting and calorie restriction activate many of the same cellular repair pathways linked to NAD+.

Nobody is making headlines by saying they took a brisk walk, got eight hours of sleep, and ate a healthy dinner.

But these habits have decades of research behind them.

Should You Take It?

At this point, I don't think anyone can honestly say yes or no for NAD+.

The science is exciting, but it's still developing.

If future studies show that NAD+ supplements truly improve healthy aging, I'll be the first to say that's great.

But we're not there yet.

Right now, the best evidence tells us that these supplements raise NAD+ levels. Whether that translates into living longer, thinking more clearly, or feeling younger remains uncertain.

As consumers, it's worth remembering that increasing a number on a lab test isn't always the same as improving health.

I've learned over the years that when something sounds almost too good to be true, it's usually wise to wait for more evidence before spending a lot of money.

Sometimes the newest supplement turns out to be a breakthrough.

Sometimes it turns out to be an expensive lesson.

Only time and good research will tell.

So..to NAD+ now, or NOT is up to you!

References

Conze D, et al. Safety and Metabolism of Long-term Administration of Nicotinamide Riboside in Healthy Adults. Scientific Reports. 2019.

Yoshino M, et al. Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Increases Muscle Insulin Sensitivity in Prediabetic Women. Science. 2021.

Dollerup OL, et al. A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial of Nicotinamide Riboside in Obese Men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018.

Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA. Therapeutic Potential of NAD Boosting Molecules: The In Vivo Evidence. Cell Metabolism. 2018.

Nadeeshani H, et al. Nicotinamide Mononucleotide as an Anti Aging Health Product: Promises and Safety Concerns. Journal of Advanced Research. 2022.