About NAD+
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in all living cells, functioning as an essential electron carrier in cellular metabolism. It exists in two forms — NAD+ (oxidized) and NADH (reduced) — and cycles between these states during metabolic processes. NAD+ levels decline naturally with age, with some estimates suggesting a 50% reduction between young adulthood and middle age.
NAD+ participates in hundreds of metabolic reactions as a coenzyme, particularly in the electron transport chain where it facilitates ATP production in mitochondria. Beyond energy metabolism, NAD+ is the substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1–7) — a class of enzymes involved in gene expression regulation, DNA repair coordination, and cellular stress responses. It is also consumed by PARP enzymes in DNA damage repair. Research interest in NAD+ supplementation centers on whether restoring declining NAD+ levels can support mitochondrial function, DNA repair capacity, and cellular resilience associated with aging.
Research Applications
NAD+ is used in research investigating mitochondrial function, sirtuin activation, DNA repair mechanisms, cellular energy production, aging biology, and metabolic regulation. It is of particular interest in longevity research and studies examining the relationship between NAD+ levels and age-related cellular decline.