Designing better NAD+ Supplementation
You may be contemplating taking an NAD supplement after feeling some notable changes in your body such as decline in energy levels, decreased strength or stamina in the gym and longer recovery times. There are many options within the NAD supplement world, and we want you to choose the best option which provides the greatest increase in cellular NAD+. To hear more about what the science says and why a lone precursor isn’t the best solution keep reading.
Ageing is a highly complex process
Aging involves multiple failures of cell and tissue function that are intertwined in a complex spiral of decline. Epigenetic and mitochondrial changes, inflammation, disordered energy metabolism, senescence cell population growth and diminished DNA repair are a few of the ‘hallmarks of aging’.
To add to this complexity each of these hallmarks involves hundreds of different proteins operating together in networks. To then imagine aging as a whole process with all these hallmarks paints a picture of a colossal group of complex networks spinning towards malfunction and system failure.
Therefore, it is only logical that to assume that targeting a single protein within this network will not have any type of impact on this huge failing system. To defend against age related diseases and physical decline several malfunctioning pathways will have to be targeted simultaneously.
A Multitarget approach to boosting NAD+
Now that the complexity of NAD+ decline is understood how do we boost NAD+ back to youthful levels and slow the ageing process?
Firstly, let’s look at what happens when you take just a precursor supplement (e.g. NR, NMN, Niacin, niacinamide). Products containing these single precursor ingredients have been shown to boost cellular NAD+ levels by around 60% on average – but this is immediately confronted by the fact that the cells’ ability to synthesise and recycle NAD+ from precursors is disrupted.
It is evident that a multitargeted approach is needed: an NAD+ precursor, promotion of NAD+ synthesis enzymes, suppression of NAD+ destroying enzymes and suppression of NAD+ excretion.
Increasing NAD+ synthesis enzymes: flavonoids such as quercetin, rutin and troxrutin all increase NAMPT to restore the salvage pathway.
Decreasing wasteful NAD+ consumption: apigenin and quercetin are both CD38 inhibitors.
Decreasing NAD+ excretion: EGCG inhibits NMNT and methylation of nicotinamide.
There has been growing interest in a systems approach to boosting NAD+ with the Buck Institute of Ageing releasing a paper highlighting the need for a multitarget approach. So, before you reach for NAD+ precursors look for a product which will target all these key pathways identified and help you towards your anti-ageing goals.
Learn more about a whole system approach to boosting NAD.