NAD+: The Secret Fuel for Energy, Health & Longevity
- The Bioregulatory Medicine Institute
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
Join Dr. James Odell for Season 2 of the Science of Self-Healing Podcast! He's the medical and executive director for BRMI, as well as a practicing naturopathic doctor for over 35 years, and he's here to share with you his extensive knowledge of medicine from a different perspective.
In this episode, we dive into the tiny but powerful molecule called NAD+ — the fuel your cells need to create energy, repair damage, and keep you feeling young and strong.
As we age, NAD+ levels drop, and that can lead to low energy, slower healing, and more health problems. But here’s the exciting part: science is showing that we can boost NAD+ through smart lifestyle habits and supplements — helping improve energy, brainpower, heart health, and even slow down aging.
We’ll break it all down in simple terms:
✅ What NAD+ does in your body
✅ Why it matters for your health and aging
✅ How to naturally boost your NAD+ levels
✅ What new research is saying about its future
If you want to unlock more energy, sharper thinking, and better long-term health, this episode is for you! Tune in and learn how to help your body thrive — from the inside out.
Transcript for: NAD+: The Secret Fuel for Energy, Health & Longevity
In this podcast I will introduce the all-important molecule Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or (NAD+). This is a coenzyme found in all living cells and plays a crucial role in energy metabolism and cellular health. As a vital component in the biochemical reactions that generate energy, NAD+ has garnered increasing attention in the fields of aging, medicine, and wellness.
This podcast explores the science behind NAD+, its functions, the potential benefits of supplementation, and its implications for health and longevity.
So, What is NAD+?
NAD+ is a coenzyme composed of two nucleotides: one containing an adenine base and the other nicotinamide. It exists in two forms in the body: NAD+ (oxidized form) and NADH (reduced form). These forms participate in redox reactions, essential for converting nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of the cell. The redox capabilities of NAD+ allow it to shuttle electrons during metabolic processes, making it indispensable to life.
Beyond its role in metabolism, NAD+ is a substrate for several critical enzymes including sirtuins, PARPs (poly ADP ribose polymerases), and CD38, all of which influence DNA repair, cellular stress responses, and gene expression. It also plays a role in circadian rhythm regulation, inflammation response, and epigenetic expression.
NAD+ levels are tightly regulated in the body, as imbalances can lead to metabolic dysfunctions and age-related diseases. NAD+ synthesis occurs via several pathways, including the de novo pathway from tryptophan and the salvage pathways from nicotinamide and nicotinic acid. The salvage pathway is the most significant in humans and highlights the body’s need to efficiently recycle NAD+ precursors.
The Role of NAD+ in Cellular Function
NAD+ plays multiple roles in the body, all essential for maintaining cellular vitality and overall health:
● Energy Metabolism: NAD+ is central to glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. These pathways convert nutrients into ATP, enabling the body to perform all of its essential functions. Without sufficient NAD+, cells cannot generate adequate energy, leading to fatigue and cellular dysfunction.
● DNA Repair: DNA is constantly under assault from oxidative stress, radiation, and environmental toxins. PARPs use NAD+ to facilitate DNA repair, a vital function for maintaining genomic integrity and preventing mutations that can lead to cancer.
● Cellular Aging: Sirtuins are NAD+-dependent deacetylases that regulate aging and longevity. They influence a wide range of biological processes, from inflammation and fat metabolism to circadian rhythms and mitochondrial function. Low NAD+ levels impair sirtuin activity, accelerating cellular aging.
● Immune Function: NAD+ affects the immune system through the regulation of CD38, which influences calcium signaling and immune cell communication. Maintaining NAD+ homeostasis helps ensure a robust immune response.
● Circadian Rhythms: The body's internal clock is closely tied to NAD+ levels. NAD+ influences core clock proteins, impacting everything from sleep-wake cycles to hormone production and metabolism.
Declining NAD+ Levels and Aging
One of the most significant findings in NAD+ research is its decline with age. Studies show that NAD+ levels can decrease by up to 50% between early adulthood and old age. Several factors contribute to this decline:
● Increased NAD+ Consumption: Aging increases the activity of enzymes like CD38 and PARPs, which deplete NAD+ reserves more rapidly.
● Reduced Biosynthesis: The body’s ability to synthesize NAD+ via salvage and de novo pathways diminishes with age.
● Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: Chronic inflammation, a hallmark of aging, increases oxidative stress and NAD+ consumption, contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence.
This reduction is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, increased oxidative damage, impaired DNA repair, and reduced cellular energy—hallmarks of the aging process.
Declining NAD+ is also implicated in age-related diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and immune system dysfunction.
Benefits of NAD+ Supplementation
Given its critical role in health and aging, researchers have explored NAD+ precursors such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) to boost NAD+ levels. These supplements have demonstrated a wide range of benefits:
● Improved Mitochondrial Function: Supplementation increases
mitochondrial biogenesis and enhances ATP production, leading to improved energy levels and reduced fatigue. Enhanced mitochondrial function is also linked to better physical endurance and muscle performance.
● Enhanced Cognitive Function: NAD+ supports neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. Human and animal studies have reported improvements in memory, learning, and overall brain function. NAD+ may also reduce neuroinflammation and oxidative damage in the brain.
● Increased Longevity: Studies in model organisms like mice, worms, and flies have shown that raising NAD+ levels can extend lifespan and improve healthspan. These results are driving interest in NAD+ as a potential anti-aging intervention in humans.
● Better Metabolic Health: NAD+ is essential for insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. Supplementation has shown promise in improving blood sugar levels, reducing liver fat, and supporting weight loss in obese individuals.
● Cardiovascular Support: NAD+ enhances endothelial function, improves blood vessel dilation, and may protect against hypertension, atherosclerosis, and ischemic injury.
● Muscle Function and Recovery: Increased NAD+ supports muscle
regeneration, strength, and recovery, particularly important for aging individuals and athletes.
NAD+ and Disease Prevention
Ongoing research suggests that NAD+ supplementation and optimization may have therapeutic applications in preventing and managing various diseases:
● Neurodegenerative Disorders: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases are characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. NAD+ boosts neuronal energy, supports DNA repair, and helps reduce toxic protein accumulation.
● Cardiovascular Diseases: Conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, and stroke are being studied in relation to NAD+ levels.
Boosting NAD+ improves blood flow, reduces vascular inflammation, and promotes recovery after ischemic events.
● Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes: NAD+ supplementation helps reverse insulin resistance, improve lipid metabolism, and support pancreatic beta cell function. It may also lower systemic inflammation and oxidative damage linked to metabolic disorders.
● Cancer: NAD+ plays a dual role in cancer. While it supports healthy cell repair and immunity, some cancer cells also rely on NAD+ for rapid proliferation. Targeted therapies may use NAD+ modulation to support healthy cells while suppressing tumor growth.
● Inflammatory and Autoimmune Disorders: Chronic inflammation underlies many autoimmune diseases. NAD+ supports immune regulation, dampens excessive inflammatory responses, and may help balance immune activity.
● Liver Health: NAD+ helps reduce liver inflammation and fat accumulation. It is being explored as a treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other hepatic disorders.
Sources and Supplementation
Because NAD+ itself is unstable for oral supplementation, precursors like NR and NMN are commonly used. These compounds are converted into NAD+ through the salvage pathway and are well-absorbed in humans. NAD+ can also be boosted by inhibiting enzymes like CD38 that degrade it.
● Nicotinamide Riboside (NR): Found in trace amounts in milk, NR is a popular supplement form with several clinical trials supporting its safety and efficacy in boosting NAD+.
● Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN): Widely researched in animal and human studies, NMN raises NAD+ levels and supports numerous health markers. It is often considered more bioavailable than NR.
Dietary sources supporting NAD+ production include:
● Meat (especially liver and poultry)
● Fish (tuna, salmon)
● Dairy products
● Whole grains
● Green vegetables (broccoli, asparagus)
● Mushrooms and yeast
Lifestyle Habits That Support NAD+ Production:
● Caloric restriction: Reduces oxidative stress and enhances NAD+ synthesis.
● Intermittent fasting: Stimulates mitochondrial efficiency and longevity pathways.
● Physical exercise: Activates sirtuins and increases NAD+ demand, promoting its production.
● Adequate sleep and stress management: Help maintain circadian rhythm and reduce NAD+ depletion.
● Heat and cold exposure: Practices like sauna and cold plunges may promote stress resilience and mitochondrial function.
Emerging Research and Future Directions
Research on NAD+ is evolving rapidly, with new studies exploring its role in regenerative medicine, epigenetics, and personalized health:
● Regenerative Therapies: NAD+ is being studied for its potential to enhance stem cell function, promote tissue regeneration, and improve recovery after injury or surgery.
● Gene Expression and Epigenetics: NAD+-dependent enzymes like sirtuins and PARPs affect chromatin remodeling, epigenetic marks, and gene expression. Modulating NAD+ may offer new strategies for controlling disease-related gene expression.
● NAD+ in Viral Infections: During infections, such as COVID-19, NAD+ is consumed in large quantities. Restoring NAD+ may aid recovery and immune function during and after illness.
● Biomarker Development: Scientists are working on assays to measure NAD+ levels as biomarkers for aging, metabolic health, and treatment response.
● Clinical Trials: Human trials are evaluating the impact of NAD+
supplementation on cognition, cardiovascular function, metabolic disorders, and age-related decline. These studies will clarify optimal dosages, formulations, and long-term safety.
Conclusion
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is essential for energy production, DNA repair, and cellular health. Its decline with age contributes to various health challenges,but boosting NAD+ through supplementation and lifestyle changes holds promise for improving vitality, preventing disease, and potentially extending healthspan. From cognitive performance to cardiovascular support, NAD+ stands at the forefront of modern health science. While more research is necessary to fully understand its long- term effects and ideal applications, NAD+ offers a compelling opportunity for those
seeking to optimize their health and longevity.
As public interest grows and research advances, NAD+ is poised to transform our understanding of aging and usher in a new era of proactive, cellular-level healthcare. By maintaining and restoring NAD+ levels through informed lifestyle practices, diet, and supplementation, individuals may be able to take meaningful steps toward better health, increased energy, and a longer, more vibrant life.
Well that’s all for this episode. Stay tuned to our website for exciting news about a conference cruise happening next March in 2026.
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