NAD+

Description

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a naturally occurring coenzyme—a helper molecule your cells need to function. It helps turn food into usable energy and supports cellular maintenance. NAD+ is not a peptide.

Its beneficial roles in the body include:

• Energy production: Helps cells produce ATP, the energy that powers muscles, organs, and everyday cellular activity.
• DNA repair: Fuels enzymes that help repair damaged DNA and maintain genetic stability.
• Cellular maintenance: Supports proteins called sirtuins, which help regulate metabolism and responses to stress.
• Metabolic function: Helps process carbohydrates and fats, supporting normal energy balance.

These are established functions of NAD+ already present in your body. Scientific review of NAD+ biology⁠

Does taking extra NAD+ provide those benefits? That is still being studied. Some supplements containing NAD+ precursors, such as NR and NMN, can raise NAD+ levels, but human studies have not consistently established improvements in energy, memory, recovery, or lifespan. Raising a laboratory measurement does not automatically mean someone will feel better or age more slowly. Review of human supplementation studies⁠

For NAD+ injections or IV infusions, evidence of wellness benefits is especially limited. Product quality also matters: the FDA has reported severe chills, shaking, vomiting, and fatigue following some compounded NAD+ injections, consistent with endotoxin contamination. FDA safety notice⁠