Site icon Health Supplements

What is NAD? Explaining the truth behind the supposed energy-jolt supplement

What is NAD? Explaining the truth behind the supposed energy-jolt supplement

What is NAD? If you’ve been finding yourself more tired and foggy than usual, Google results and Reddit threads might have led you to this three letter acronym.

NAD — ‘nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide,’ if it’s in trouble — is thought of by many as a one stop shop for energy, metabolism, skin health and even immune system boosts. Supplements can either be ingested orally or delivered intravenously.

But, as with any shiny new supplement or health trend, information is king — as is a good dose of sensible reason.

To answer all your burning questions, including some you haven’t even thought to ask, GQ consulted the experts. From what it actually is, to how it works, how you take it and the best ones to buy, here is your definitive guide to the world of NAD.

What is NAD?

A great place to start. “NAD” is an acronym for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a molecule that has multiple important functions. Emma Wedgwood, an advanced nurse practitioner, says that, at the top level, it “helps keep our cells functioning properly.”

“It plays an essential role in energy production by converting the food we eat into the fuel our cells need,” says Wedgwood. “NAD comes in two forms, NAD+ and NADH, both working together to ensure that our bodies have the energy they need to perform vital functions. Beyond energy, NAD also supports processes like DNA repair and immune health. As we get older, NAD+ levels tend to drop, which can affect our energy and cell regeneration, making it a focus in anti-ageing and wellness research.”

This is why NAD is a popular health destination for those over 30, who are starting to see energy, metabolism and immune support decline.

Is there a difference between NAD+ and NADH?

You’ll likely have seen two options in NAD offerings: NAD+ and NADH. As to the difference between the two, Wedgwood says it’s all about the roles they play in the body.

“NAD+ helps create energy by turning food into fuel and supporting cell repair. It’s like the ‘starter’ for energy production,” says Wedgwood. “NADH, on the other hand, is the form that carries and delivers the energy where it’s needed in the body. Think of NAD+ as the builder of energy, and NADH as the transporter, ensuring cells get the power they need. Both work together to keep everything running smoothly.”

What are the benefits of NAD?

Because it’s a vital part of how your DNA works, NAD has a variety of different and useful functions in the body. A couple of the main ones are energy levels, metabolism support, skin health, immune system and DNA repair.

But how exactly does that all work? As Dr Rishi Mandavia, managing director at Doctors Tatiana + Rishi Advanced Aesthetics, says, it’s all about energy conversion. “NAD plays a big role in your metabolism, which is how your body turns food into energy. It helps with key processes that produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy your cells need to function. Without enough NAD, your body’s ability to create energy slows down, making it harder for your cells to do their jobs.”

On top of metabolism, NAD can also be an anti-ageing boost as well. “NAD is linked to anti-ageing because it helps repair cells, protect against damage and support healthy function in things like DNA repair and mitochondrial health (the powerhouses of your cells),” says Mandavia. “Since NAD+ levels naturally decline as we age, keeping those levels higher might help slow some signs of ageing — though more research is needed.”

But wait, there’s more! Next to the headline acts of its benefits, it can also have an effect on “managing stress, immune function and regulating your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythms),” says Mandavia. “It also helps control how genes are expressed, which can impact overall health and longevity.”

Can you take a NAD supplement?

Here’s where it gets a tiny bit more complicated. NAD supplements exist in both an oral form (usually as a tablet, but it can also be a powder), as well as an intravenous or intramuscular injection. The benefits of correct supplement taking should include higher energy levels, boosted metabolism, better stress management and improved sleep, among other things.

link

Exit mobile version