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NAD SUPPLEMENTS PROMISE TO IMPROVE ENERGY, METABOLISM, AND LONGEVITY. HERE'S HOW EXPERTS RECOMMEND YOU USE THEM...

You'll likely be hearing more and more about NAD.But what is the difference between NAD+ and NADH, and should you take supplements or get injections? And...is it really effective against anti-aging?

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, aka nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, 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.Bottom of Form

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

We consulted the experts to answer your questions, including what NAD actually is, how it works, how to take it.

What is NAD

“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-aging and wellness research.”

This is why NAD is a popular health supplement for those over 30 and are starting to see their 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.”

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

There’s more: NAD can also have an effect on “managing stress, immune function and regulating your body's internal clock, or 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 can be delivered in both an oral form (usually as a capsule, but also 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 improve sleep, among other things.

But health professionals have differing opinions on what is the most effective, if effective at all, way to take NAD.

Dr. Harpal Bains, a longevity doctor and the medical director at Harpal Clinic (which offers NAD+ IV drips), says IV is more effective than oral supplements, as “NAD+ supplements in oral form are unstable and have poor bioavailability, as it has to bypass your gut acid and enzymes to reach your cells. When taken by injection or intravenously, bioavailability is much better and most people can feel its effects straight away, especially with intravenous NAD+ infusions.”

Mandavia’s opinion is that there is not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of NAD intravenous injections, saying: “There is currently a paucity of evidence to support NAD injections or intravenous infusions. This may be because NAD is an unstable molecule that does not survive long in a solution. Furthermore, NAD+ itself does not easily cross the cell membrane due to its large and charged structure. However, cells can take up precursors of NAD+, such as nicotinamide or nicotinic acid, which can then be converted into NAD+ inside the cell.” Those precursors are usually what are found within supplements.

 

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“There is very little evidence on the effectiveness of injections,” says Mandavia. “Oral supplementation of precursors has been shown to increase blood levels of NAD+ and this is thought to confirm the increased production of NAD+ in the cells. However, we do not yet know what impact this has on cellular function.”

For Wedgwood, both oral and intravenous supplements have their pros, but she says it's the long-term effects on anti-aging that are still up for debate. "More research is needed to fully understand NADs long-term benefits and safety. While some evidence suggests NAD can support increased lifespan and promote longevity, the idea that it can completely stop aging is a myth not supported by current research. NAD can help slow down the aging process by improving cellular function, but its not a miracle cure for aging."

 

WHO SHOULD AND SHOULDN’T TAKE NAD?

Despite their differing opinions on the best intake method, all three experts agree on who should sit out NAD altogether.

"People with liver issues, low blood pressure, or those on blood thinners should avoid NAD unless advised by a doctor," says Wedgwood. "Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also consult their healthcare professional before use." Mandavia also says that, "before trying NAD supplements, its also important to talk to an expert. Some people experience side effects like fatigue, headaches, or nausea. Also, its key to know the correct dose and whether it might interact with any medications youre taking or health conditions you have."

 

WHAT ARE THE BEST SUPPLEMENTS TO BUY?

While they are sometimes marketed as "NAD Supplements", its important to note that you cannot package actual NAD into a capsule. Instead supplements are marketed as NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) which help your body produce more NAD+