The word is out— NAD, short for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, has been grabbing the headlines in the supplement world. Natural NAD is like a mainstay resident that lives rent-free in your body, and according to research, NAD increases your value (healthwise) with its host of potential benefits. It does this in part by evicting “internal offenders” like inflammation within the body that could threaten its safety. As we reach our prime years, our bodies are naturally inclined to produce less NAD, and that deficiency is one of the reasons you age. Fortunately, you can take a supplement that naturally rebuilds your supply of NAD.
Studies show that adding an NAD supplement to your diet could help unlock the fountain of youth by holding back age-related decline, promoting longevity, and fending off diseases that may arise with age. As you can probably tell, the guest of the hour is NAD supplements, and we’re here to tell you all about them.
What is NAD?
What’s the true definition of NAD? Some users say that it’s a “miracle drug,” while scientists tout it as the key to “slow cooker” aging. In a nutshell, NAD is what’s called a “coenzyme,” and you need it to do a lot of things, like maintaining your body’s cellular network. In fact, it’s involved in over 500 enzymatic processes, so basically—you’d be dead in 10 seconds without it. According to research, it can help repair snags in your DNA, among other cellular functions that can dictate the course of your health.
While the body naturally produces NAD, its production capabilities decline with age. With insufficient NAD levels, you may notice that the body might not work the way it used to and also feel like less of a spring chicken because NAD deficiency can literally suck the energy out of you. Your mitochondria, which produce cellular energy to keep you going, can be impaired by internal maintenance issues like this. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a serious issue that can get your cells out of whack, mounting challenges that may arise later in life (like high blood pressure).
But not to worry—it’s a natural part of life’s journey. Researchers say you can remedy this by taking good care of yourself. Healthy habits like having an exercise routine, for instance, have been shown to give the body a natural NAD boost.
You can also increase your NAD levels naturally by adding certain foods to your diet, like soybeans, cucumber, and cabbage. But here’s the thing: you’d have to eat more than 1,000 pounds of broccoli or cucumber to get the same amount of NMN in our capsule. The best-case scenario is taking a daily NAD precursor supplement like NMN.
Researchers also say that these magical pills can provide that extra dose of NAD needed to experience its full benefits.
What are NAD precursors & how do they work?
The most effective NAD precursors come in supplement form—NMN and NR specifically. Both contribute to the creation of NAD through a metabolic reaction In your body that directly converts them into NAD inside the cell. In the case of NMN, the cells have a specific receptor outside the membrane that attaches to NMN and brings it inside, where it gets converted to NAD. This process has been exhibited in many existing studies.
As for the newest kid on the block, NMNH, a lite version of NMN, there is talk that it can also cause a NAD surge within the body, but so far, no scientific evidence supports the claim.
NAD’s growing popularity also has companies claiming that other ingredients can elevate your NAD, though they lack the scientific evidence to prove it.
There’s also the honorable mention that’s like a cousin to NMN and NR: Niacin and vitamin B3 supplements, which have been available to consumers for over 30 years. However, niacin is neither effective at increasing NAD levels nor as safe as its cousins. Using niacin can actually trigger various side effects, from headaches to diarrhea.
What do we know for sure? Science confirms that NMN and NR supplements are your best and safest bet for a healthy NAD boost.
The benefits of taking NAD supplements
Several preliminary studies have linked taking NAD precursor supplements to a wide range of health benefits. Based on existing studies, their obvious benefits include slowing premature aging, extending your years of good health, and preventing age-related health conditions.
Cognitive Function
Did you know that being NAD-challenged can contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease? That’s what researchers say. On the flip side, they say that increased NAD levels can prevent the onset of Parkinson’s disease. In a 2023 clinical trial involving participants with Parkinson’s disease, the participants experienced a significant increase in NAD after taking 1,500 milligrams of NR twice a day, and this improved their symptoms in the final analysis.
Another study revealed that higher NAD had favorable effects on people with dementia. They experienced improvements in their cognitive function, which affects the brain’s ability to think clearly. –Other murine studies have pointed to NAD’s ability to improve memory and learning comprehension.
Metabolic Health
It turns out that NAD supplements are also great for your metabolic health, as studies show that they can significantly improve your blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and receptivity to insulin. Studies show that higher NAD levels can even help you manage your weight a bit better, as it can improve the overall health of people with obesity and metabolic syndrome. In a 2021 study involving postmenopausal women with prediabetes and who had challenges with excess weight, their bodies responded better to insulin after being given 250 milligrams of NAD per day for ten weeks.
It’s no secret that too much cholesterol can hurt your heart, but studies show that higher NAD levels can limit the level of cholesterol that hangs around in your body. Research also suggests that changes in your sirtuins, a group of proteins, can influence the body’s ability to break down fatty acids. They call it lipid metabolism. Luckily, per research, an increase in NAD levels can stimulate the body’s sirtuin activity, and you’ll be healthier as a result.
Cardiovascular Health
Speaking of your heart, having enough NAD in the body can also help protect your cardiovascular health. For one, researchers believe that it can fend off high blood pressure—another catalyst for strokes, heart attacks, and other heart-related issues—and help eliminate some of the stiffness in your arteries.
Another study revealed that it can help extinguish fires caused by cardiac inflammation and neuroinflammation. Other research shows that increased NAD levels can help you build muscle better and balance the body’s lipid levels.
Skin Health
More NAD in the body is scientifically said to slow premature skin aging, which is also golden for your skin health. Studies show that higher NAD levels can also improve symptoms of psoriasis, a condition that causes the skin cells to build up too quickly.
Researchers say that the body also becomes more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays when it’s deficient in NAD, making it more difficult for the skin cells to heal after experiencing sun damage. What’s the key to avoiding this? An NAD supplement.
What’s the right way to take NAD supplements?
For the best results, people should take their NAD precursor in the morning, as it’s pushing that much-needed energy to their cells. Splitting the dose throughout the day is okay if that’s part of a regular routine, but know this. Research shows that consistency and timing are key to maximum efficacy. So aim to take your NAD precursor at the same hour each day to support your body’s circadian rhythm, making any necessary adjustments based on your unique sleep patterns and lifestyle.
Based on the latest research, the recommended dosage for NAD precursors is between 600-1200 mg daily. Wonderfeel’s well-endorsed Youngr™ NMN features 900 mg NMN per serving.
Where to buy high-quality NMN supplements
Wondering what makes for a high-quality NMN supplement and where to find it? Well, you can’t go wrong with independent third-party supplements tested by reputable testing organizations. These labs have rigorous standards and procedures to test the safety and quality of supplements. Wonderfeel’s NMN is not only third-party lab tested but has a purity rating of over 99%.
Experience NMN’s “Wonderfeel” effects
As you can see, NAD is reported to have numerous health benefits, according to existing studies. With Wonderfeel’s top-rated NAD formula, Wonderfeel Youngr™ NMN, you can experience those benefits and much more. Don’t take our word for it—ask our users who are satisfied with the results, with reviewers claiming that our formulas make them feel like they’re aging backward. Wouldn’t that be cool?