14 Mar Understanding NAD+ and Healthy Aging
This post was sponsored by Tru 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—though they don’t quite know how it works. To grasp the function of NAD+ in the body means understanding a bit 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 being communicated about this category. Below you’ll find out what NAD+ is, how it works, the research behind NAD+ precursors, and the suggested use.
What is cellular nutrition?
In order to power bodily functions, cells use nutrients. However, these nutrients can be used only if cells are working properly. Cellular nutrition incorporates nutrients from foods containing carbs, protein, and fat (aka macronutrients) and vitamins and minerals (aka micronutrients) such as vitamins B3 and D, folate, zinc and calcium so your cells 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 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 primary functions: produce cellular energy in the form of ATP and support cellular defense and repair. NAD+ is a cofactor for NAD-dependent proteins (sirtuins and PARPS) that can directly and indirectly impact vital cellular functions, such as DNA repair. The issue is that NAD+ levels can decline over time. NAD+ measured in skin tissue decreased over 3-fold by the time we reach young adults, and another 2.5-fold through middle age. Research suggests that the decrease in NAD+ may also be due to various metabolic stressors, including a diet high in added sugar and fat, a sedentary lifestyle, too much alcohol, and overexposure to the sun.
Research has shown that the most efficient way to increase NAD+ levels is by supplementing with (nicotinamide riboside (NR), a unique form of vitamin B3, which is the active ingredient in Tru Niagen. Established 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 so more efficiently than other common NAD+ boosters including, NAD+ itself and NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide). NMN was banned for use in dietary supplements in the US by the FDA in late 2022, although we still see companies selling it – buyer be aware!
The Research
There are several published studies that demonstrate how mitochondrial dysfunction, which is a hallmark of aging, is closely linked to declining NAD+ levels. Mitochondrial function and health decline over time. NAD+ is known to play a critical role in helping maintain and support mitochondrial health.
In a 2020 study published in Nutrients, consuming NAD+ precursor supplements in the short term for 12 weeks is safe among healthy adults. However, long-term studies are needed to determine whether Tru Niagen is safe for children, pregnant and lactating women, individuals who are taking medications and individuals with compromised immune systems. It may be contraindicated for individuals with active cancer or who have a history of cancer, therefore, if you have cancer or are a survivor, please speak to your healthcare provider.
How to Mitigate NAD+ Depletion
There are several ways to mitigate NAD+ depletion including:
- Increasing exercise
- Choosing a healthy lifestyle and diet (with no more than 10% saturated fat and added sugars)
- Decreasing exposure to metabolic stressors like 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 efficient 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 300 mg daily and up to 150% with 1,000mg. After 8 weeks of consistent daily supplementation, the NAD+ levels maintain this increase with 300mg. 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. Niacin supplements have been reported skin flushing, however that is not seen with Tru Niagen. There is currently no evidence of any medication interactions.
The Gold Standard NAD+ Supplement: Tru Niagen
Tru Niagen’s parent company, Chromadex is a global bioscience company dedicated to healthy aging and the innovators of patented NR (Niagen®). ChromaDex is the world’s 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 ChromaDex’s Chief Scientific Advisor discovered that NR is an NAD+ precursor vitamin. The NAD-boosting potential of NR supports healthy aging, as well as brain, heart, muscle, and cellular health*. Furthermore, human studies have shown NR, the active ingredient in Tru Niagen, decreases inflammatory markers. Tru Niagen has passed global regulatory requirements in the U.S., EU, Canada and Australia. It is FDA notified as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and the 1000mg is NSF certified for sport.
Tru Niagen sets the gold standard in NAD+ science, safety, quality, and transparency and is backed by over 30+ human clinical studies and over 300 published scientific studies. There are over 275 research collaborations through Chromadex’s External Research Program (CERP), for which the Niagen ingredient and placebo material are provided upon request to investigators looking to uncover the full potential of NAD+. ChromaDex is not directly involved in the study details (i.e. has no say in study design or outcome). Over 95% of CERP studies are independently funded. And a total of 22 tests (internal and third-party) are conducted on every lot of the raw ingredient, Niagen, and on 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.
Bottom Line
NAD+ is vital to 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 the other common NAD+ boosters, like NMN or NAD+ itself. Niagen®, patented NR, is the best form of NR because it is held to the highest scientific rigor, safety, quality, and transparency standards.
Need more info?
Below are numerous articles written in the media that explain NAD+ well.
- Tru Niagen Review by Toby Amidor (Forbes.com, December 2023)
- Ask the Expert: NAD+ Supplementation 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)
- 7 Best Supplements for a Longer Life by Lauren Manaker (EatThis.com, July 2023)
- Changing Lifestyles for a Healthier Heart by Eric Munson (Natural Practitioner, January 2024)
- NIH study shows elevating NAD+ with NR supplementation effectively reduces inflammation by Eleanor Garth (Longevity Technology, November 2023)
- Anti-aging and the science of nicotinamide riboside by Rebecca Idoine, Yusrah Ishtiaq (Natural Products Insider, October 2023)
- A self-regulated 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.
