THE SCIENCE
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential cellular coenzyme involved in energy metabolism, oxidation-reduction reactions, and numerous signaling pathways. Research has examined NAD+ extensively in relation to cellular metabolism, mitochondrial function, DNA repair, inflammation, and aging.
NAD+ & CELLULAR ENERGY
NAD+ participates in oxidation-reduction reactions that allow cells to transfer energy during metabolic processes. The NAD+/NADH pair is involved in pathways including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, fatty-acid metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation.
NAD+ & MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION
Mitochondria depend on NAD+ metabolism to support energy production and cellular homeostasis. Research has investigated relationships between NAD+ availability, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and cellular responses to metabolic stress.
DNA REPAIR & CELLULAR SIGNALING
NAD+ also serves as a substrate for enzymes involved in cellular signaling and DNA damage responses, including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) and sirtuins. These NAD+-dependent pathways are involved in DNA repair, protein modification, gene regulation, and cellular stress responses.
SIRTUINS & METABOLIC REGULATION
Sirtuins are a family of NAD+-dependent enzymes involved in processes including metabolism, stress responses, mitochondrial function, and gene regulation. Because sirtuin activity depends on NAD+ availability, researchers have investigated the relationship between NAD+ metabolism and sirtuin signaling during aging.
NAD+ & AGING RESEARCH
- Research has reported declines in NAD+ availability with aging in multiple tissues and organisms. Studies have investigated whether changes in NAD+ metabolism contribute to age-associated cellular dysfunction and whether increasing NAD+ availability can influence biological processes associated with aging
RESEARCH LIMITATIONS
NAD+ biology is an active area of research. Much of the evidence concerning NAD+ augmentation and healthy aging comes from preclinical models, while human research remains ongoing. Findings should be interpreted according to the specific intervention, study population, tissue, NAD+ measurement, and endpoint being evaluated.