NAD and Its Anti-Aging Benefits

Nick Luiz
3 min readMar 15, 2023

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Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a naturally occurring compound in mammal cells that helps body enzymes perform vital cellular processes like oxidation, energy transfer, and molecule reduction. NAD comes in two forms: NAD+ (oxidized), which helps in energy transfer, and NADH (reduced), which serves as a powerful antioxidant for removing free radicals (unstable molecules that damage cells).

As people age, the body’s cells also age. Senescence, a process where cells stop dividing and functioning normally, occurs when telomeres — the protective segment of DNA — become shorter from repeated cell division, leading to DNA damage. While senescent cells may not replicate, they stay active, releasing harmful substances causing chronic inflammation and age-related diseases. The buildup of these cells also decreases NAD levels, leading to dysfunction in various bodily systems.

NAD is vital for the body’s metabolic process since it provides energy, repairs damage, and helps in various critical functions. NAD levels drop as people age, and require replenishing for optimal functioning. Increasing NAD levels can slow aging and increase lifespan.

Supplementing one’s diet with NAD helps reverse aging signs caused by time and sun exposure. The combination of vitamins and antioxidants in NAD IV solution increases collagen production, resulting in stronger, more elastic skin with reduced fine lines and wrinkles. Increasing NAD+ levels also improves mitochondrial function, autophagy (cellular waste removal), and skin cell regeneration, leading to improved skin health.

The decline in NAD levels may sometimes lead to a decrease in cellular energy in the brain, resulting in reduced cognitive abilities such as memory and concentration. NAD+ therapy can help restore NAD levels and enhance energy production for brain regeneration. According to studies cited on the Reset IV website, supplementing with NAD has been shown to increase neuroprotective proteins and reduce harmful beta-amyloid proteins linked to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease in animal models.

An increase in NAD levels through NAD+ IV therapy also boosts the body’s immunity by raising the amount of oxygen entering cells and improving other immunity-related factors, key to reducing inflammation and fighting infection. NAD may thus be beneficial for individuals struggling with low immunity and recurrent infections. Boosting immunity through NAD levels helps with anti-aging by increasing the body’s ability to repair, regenerate, and protect itself from oxidative damage.

NAD also combats aging by reducing free radicals in the body. Free radicals are charged molecules that harm cellular functioning (for example, mitochondrial function) when they accumulate in the body. NAD+ therapy converts NAD+ to NADH, a potent antioxidant that reduces the concentration of free radicals and protects cells, promoting optimal health and functioning.

Moreover, NAD combats aging by improving metabolic and liver function. NAD+ enhances the body’s metabolism by making food-to-energy conversion more efficient and facilitating the effective use of insulin and cholesterol. Increased NAD+ also supports liver cells in processing and detoxifying substances in the body, reducing the risk of liver fat buildup.

To increase NAD levels in the body, one can take NAD+ precursors (molecules that can convert into the coenzyme NAD), like nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) or nicotinamide riboside (NR) found in supplements. Clinical trials have shown that these precursors increase NAD+ levels safely and sustainably. Exercise can also increase NAD levels by triggering the breakdown of molecules to release energy. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables like broccoli and cabbage may also help boost NAD levels.

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Nick Luiz
Nick Luiz

Written by Nick Luiz

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An alumnus of Ashford University, Nick Luiz earned a bachelor of science in organizational management and a dean’s list distinction.

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