As we get older, we start to lose the excitement about upcoming birthdays as the effects of aging start becoming more obvious. Lower energy levels, problems with memory and new health concerns start creeping up over the years. 

While you can’t go back in time, scientists have found a coenzyme that may be key to keeping the signs of aging at bay.

NAD+ is one form of the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). Coenzymes are organic compounds or molecules used in the body to help enzymes initiate reactions or functions.

They can aid reactions that are part of digestion, cell growth, energy metabolism, or other important roles in the body.

NAD+ carries electrons from one molecule to another to help facilitate reactions and metabolic processes in the body. It plays an important role in energy metabolism and healthy cell function.

Benefits of NAD+ supplements

Maintaining healthy NAD+ may be an important step in slowing down age-related diseases and health changes.

Research suggests beneficial effects like:

Increased brain health and memory

The body uses cellular NAD when repairing DNA and nerve cells. Changes in memory and cognitive function are common complaints as people get older. Some research suggests maintaining NAD+ levels helps to slow down and prevent the age-related memory and cognitive changes that many people experience. NAD supplements may support healthier brain function throughout the lifespan (Lautrup, 2019).

Increased energy

NAD+ helps support energy levels and metabolism. Because your body isn’t able to efficiently process food into energy without NAD, inadequate NAD+ levels may impact how energized you feel (Mehmel, 2020).

Improved blood pressure and heart health

High blood pressure and other metabolic conditions take a toll on the health of blood vessels and arteries. Some research shows that NAD+ supplements can help protect blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and reduce stiffness in the aortic artery (Mehmel, 2020).

Reduced cholesterol

NAD+ also protects your heart health by helping your lipid metabolism to lower cholesterol levels and decrease the risk for blocked blood vessels. Research suggests supplements with NAD+ precursors help prevent and reverse lipid accumulation. The supplements can potentially be used for treating dyslipidemia or high lipid levels (cholesterol, triglycerides, or both) (Mehmel, 2020).

Healthy weight maintenance

Increasing your NAD+ levels may help with reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. The impact NAD+ has on metabolism may partially explain some troubles people have with maintaining a healthy weight as they age. Some animal research shows that mice taking NAD+ supplements experienced less weight gain while eating a high-fat diet than those not taking NAD+ (Mehmel, 2020).

Protection against age-related conditions

Early research suggests NAD supplements may help protect against the development of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. This may be from protecting cells from damage caused by oxidation and reducing inflammation (Mehmel, 2020).