At a recent Unlock Healthy Longevity conference held at the National University of Singapore Dr David Sinclair, who became a popular longevity expert after publishing his book Lifespan, said ‘without NAD we’d be dead in 30 seconds’.
Hang on a minute…30 seconds? Really? It made me realise how important NAD is for our longevity – literally.
So what is NAD?
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a coenzyme found in all living cells.
What does it do?
NAD plays an important role in keeping our body functioning. It helps with:
- ageing – when you hit midlife NAD levels drop to around half of what they were
- energy metabolism – it helps convert food into energy
- healthy cell function
- muscle recovery
- helps regulate circadian rhythms so we can sleep well.
How do we increase NAD?
Because we lose NAD as we age we need to look for ways to replenish it. There are a few ways this can be done.
- Food – while some foods like fish, green vegetables, whole grains and mushrooms contain NAD the levels are questionable particularly given how our foods are now grown and sourced. However, you should always aim for a healthy balanced diet of whole foods, preferably organic.
- Exercise – studies have shown that exercise can increase your NAD levels due to the skeletal muscle created from exercise. This is why it’s so important for women to do strength training. While aerobic exercise was shown to increase NAD by up to 27%, resistance training resulted in 30% increase.
- Supplementation – there have been many studies that have proved taking Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) increases NAD levels. It’s the easiest way to achieve an increase. NMN has been shown to boost energy levels, help with muscle recovery and maintain fertility (note fertility testing has not been done on humans).
Recent advances and research
The landscape of NMN research is continuously evolving. Recent studies have delved into its potential neuroprotective effects, its role in DNA repair, and its impact on age-related metabolic disorders.
NMN supplementation has also been explored for its role in immune function, indicating potential benefits beyond just longevity and energy metabolism. These findings underscore NMN's multifaceted role in promoting healthspan and potentially staving off the impacts of ageing.
As we inch closer to fully understanding the mechanics of NMN in the human body, the promise it holds for a healthier, more vital life becomes increasingly tangible.
If you're looking to purchase NMN, Do Not Age are offering my followers a 10% discount off their products. Simply click on the below link and enter Biohackher10 at checkout - Do not age
References
- "A robust NAD+ restoration pathway via nicotinamide mononucleotide prevents light-induced retinal degeneration," Cell Reports, 2022.
- "NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing," Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 2021.
- "Long-term administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide mitigates age-associated physiological decline in mice," Cell Metabolism, 2016.
- "Nicotinamide mononucleotide: Exploration of diverse therapeutic applications of NAD metabolism," Nature Metabolism, 2021.
- "Effects of NMN on Neurovascular Rejuvenation in Aged Mice," Neurobiology of Aging, 2022.
-
NAD+ Repletion Rescues Female Fertility during Reproductive Aging