14 Mar Understanding NAD+ and healthy aging
This post was sponsored by True Niagen. All opinions are my own.
Celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber have been seen using NAD+ to support healthy aging, making it more popular than ever — even though they don’t know how it works. To understand the function of NAD+ in the body is to understand a little about cellular nutrition.
I was introduced to Tru Niagen, an NAD+ precursor supplement, a few years ago at a nutrition conference. What really spoke to me was the misinformation shared about this category. Below you will learn what NAD+ is, how it works, the research behind NAD+ precursors, and its suggested use.
What is cellular nutrition?
To activate bodily functions, cells use nutrients. However, these nutrients can only be used if the cells are working properly. Cellular nutrition incorporates nutrients from foods containing carbohydrates, proteins and fat (also known as macronutrients) and vitamins and minerals (also known as micronutrients), such as vitamins B3 and D, folate, zinc and calcium, so that cells to function optimally and efficiently. When you eat a nutrient-dense diet, your cells get the nutrients they need. Vitamins and minerals play an important role in the cellular process by acting as cofactors (or helpers for metabolic reactions).
How does NAD+ fit into cellular nutrition?
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is found in every cell in your body and has two main functions: to generate cellular energy in the form of ATP and to support cellular defense and repair. NAD+ is a cofactor for NAD-dependent proteins (sirtuins and PARPS) that can directly and indirectly affect vital cellular functions such as DNA repair. The point is that NAD+ levels can decrease over time. NAD+ measured in skin tissue decreased more than 3-fold by the time we reach young adults and another 2.5-fold by middle age. Research shows that NAD+ depletion can also be caused by a variety of metabolic stressors, including a diet high in sugar and fat, a sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol, and excessive sun exposure.
Research has shown that the most effective way to increase NAD+ levels is to supplement with (Nicotinamide riboside (NR), a unique form of vitamin B3, which is the active ingredient in Tru Niagen. Founded in 2017 and backed by over 50 years of research, Tru Niagen is a patented form of NR that crosses the cell membrane directly to effectively increase NAD+ levels. It does this more effectively than other common NAD+ boosters, including, NAD+ itself and NMN (nicotamide mononucleotide). NMN was banned for use in dietary supplements in the US by the FDA at the end of 2022, although we still see companies selling it – buyer oneproducts!
The research
There are several published studies that prove how mitochondrial dysfunction, which is a hallmark of aging, is closely associated with a decline in NAD+ levels. Mitochondrial function and health decline over time. NAD+ is known to play a critical role in maintaining and support of mitochondrial health.
In a study 2020 published in Nutrients, Consuming NAD+ precursor supplements short-term for 12 weeks is safe for healthy adults. However, long-term studies are needed to determine whether Tru Niagen is safe for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people taking medications, and people with weakened immune systems. It may be contraindicated in people with active cancer or who have a history of cancer, so if you have cancer or are a survivor, contact your healthcare provider.
How to reduce NAD+ depletion
There are several ways to mitigate NAD+ depletion, including:
- Increase exercise
- Choosing a healthy lifestyle and diet (with no more than 10% saturated fat and added sugars)
- Reduced exposure to metabolic stressors such as too much sun and alcohol, poor diet and lack of sleep.
In addition to the above, you can supplement with NR, which is the most effective and superior precursor. The typical starting dose of Tru Niagen (patented NR called Niagen®) is 300 mg/day or 1,000 mg/day. It takes about 2 weeks of consistent supplementation to see an increase in NAD+ levels of about 50% with 300mg daily and up to 150% with 1,000mg. After 8 weeks of consistent daily supplementation, NAD+ levels maintain this increase with 300 mg. Research shows that Tru Niagen supplements are safe up to 2,000 mg/day.
Some reported side effects with NR supplementation may include digestive discomfort. Skin flushing has been reported with niacin supplements, however this is not seen with Tru Niagen. There is currently no evidence of drug interactions.
Gold Standard NAD+ Supplement: Tru Niagen
Tru Niagen’s parent company, Chromadex is a global life sciences company dedicated to healthy aging and the innovator of patented NR (Niagen®). ChromaDex is the world authority on NAD+, with a focus on healthy aging research. In 2004, Charles Brenner, Ph.D. Alfred E Mann Family Foundation Chair in Diabetes and Cancer Metabolism in the Department of Diabetes & Cancer Metabolism and Chief Scientific Advisor to ChromaDex discovered that NR is a precursor vitamin of NAD+. NR’s NAD boosting potential supports healthy aging as well as brain, heart, muscle and cellular health*. Additionally, human studies have shown that NR, the active ingredient in Tru Niagen, reduces markers of inflammation. Tru Niagen has passed global regulatory requirements in the US, EU, Canada and Australia. It is FDA notified as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and 1000mg is NSF certified for sports.
Tru Niagen sets the gold standard in NAD+ science, safety, quality and transparency and is supported by more than 30+ human clinical studies and more than 300 published scientific studies. There are more than 275 research collaborations through the Chromadex External Research Program (CERP), for which Niagen ingredient and placebo material are provided upon request to researchers who want to unlock the full potential of NAD+. ChromaDex is not directly involved in the details of the study (ie has no say in the design or outcome of the study). Over 95% of CERP studies are independently funded. And a total of 22 tests (in-house and third-party) are performed on every batch of raw ingredient, Niagen, and all Tru Niagen products to ensure potency, safety and purity, with certificates of analysis readily available so consumers can trace products back to the lab.
Conclusion
NAD+ is vital for cellular health and nutrition, which is the foundation of overall health. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is the most efficient and superior NAD+ precursor as it can directly cross the cell membrane and is more effective at increasing NAD+ than other common NAD+ boosters such as NMN or NAD+ itself. Niagen®, patented NR, is the best form of NR because it adheres to the highest scientific standards, safety, quality and transparency.
Need more information?
Below are several articles written in the media that explain NAD+ well.
- Tru Niagen Review by Toby Amidor (Forbes.com, December 2023)
- Ask the Expert: NAD+ Supplement by Toby Amidor (Today’s Dietitian Magazine, 2023)
- Kendall Jenner & Hailey Bieber Take NAD+ to Prevent Aging—But What Is This Supplement? By Caroline Thomason, RDN (EatThis.com, April 2023)
- 5 supplements to boost your immune system by Kiersten Hickman (Clean Plate, March 2023)
- The 7 Best Supplements for a Longer Life by Lauren Manaker (EatThis.com, July 2023)
- Lifestyle change for a healthier heart by Eric Munson (Natural Practitioner, January 2024)
- NIH study shows that increasing NAD+ with NR supplementation effectively reduces inflammation by Eleanor Garth (Longevity Technology, November 2023)
- Antiaging and Nicotinamide Riboside Science by Rebecca Idoine, Yusrah Ishtiaq (Natural Products Insider, October 2023)
- A self-regulating supplement industry is the path to responsible innovation by Rob Fried (Natural Products Insider, February 2024)
- Healthy Aging Is Possible With Tru Niagen (CT Morning Buzz)
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
