The Power of NAD+: Unlocking Your Body’s Natural Energy and Longevity
Have you ever wondered what makes us feel more energized, mentally sharp, and youthful when we’re at our best—and why those feelings seem to fade with age? One of the body’s most important molecules might hold the answer: NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide).
What Is NAD+?
NAD+ is a coenzyme found in every living cell. Think of it as your body’s spark plug—helping to turn the food you eat into energy, protect your DNA, and keep your cells functioning at their peak.
It plays a key role in:
Cellular energy production
DNA repair
Brain function
Healthy aging
Immune system regulation
But here’s the catch: NAD+ levels naturally decline as we age—and that drop is linked to many of the changes we associate with aging, including fatigue, brain fog, reduced metabolic function, and increased risk of disease.
Why Do NAD+ Levels Decline?
Aging, stress, poor diet, and chronic inflammation can all accelerate NAD+ depletion. Over time, your body also becomes less efficient at recycling NAD+, and certain enzymes like CD38 and PARPs consume NAD+ at faster rates—especially when cells are under stress or trying to repair damage.
What Happens When NAD+ Levels Drop?
Low NAD+ is associated with:
Slower metabolism
Cognitive decline
Weakened immunity
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Increased inflammation (a phenomenon known as “inflammaging”)
Higher risk of age-related diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative conditions
The Good News: NAD+ Can Be Replenished
Research shows that boosting NAD+ levels can have rejuvenating effects on the body and mind. In animal studies, restoring NAD+ has:
Improved metabolic health
Increased lifespan
Enhanced brain function and memory
Supported muscle and mitochondrial health
Reduced signs of age-related inflammation
These findings are supported by research from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and others, which detail the critical role NAD+ plays in metabolism, immunity, and cellular repair—and how its decline is a hallmark of aging and age-related disease.¹
How Can You Boost NAD+ Naturally?
There are a few key ways to support healthy NAD+ levels:
1. Supplementation with NAD+ Precursors
Nutrients like nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are popular NAD+ boosters. These precursors help your body make more NAD+ and are currently being studied in human clinical trials for their effects on aging and disease prevention.
2. Lifestyle Interventions
Exercise: Especially endurance and interval training
Intermittent fasting or caloric restriction
Getting good sleep: Supports the circadian rhythm that regulates NAD+ production
A healthy, antioxidant-rich diet
3. Reducing NAD+ Drain
Some compounds—like resveratrol, quercetin, and apigenin—may help protect NAD+ by inhibiting the enzymes that break it down too quickly.
Why Surya Medicine Cares About NAD+
At Surya Medicine, we believe in empowering your body’s natural healing potential. Supporting NAD+ is one of the most exciting areas of wellness science today—because it taps into the body’s own wisdom to heal, restore, and thrive.
Whether you're looking to boost your energy, enhance brain function, or simply age more gracefully, supporting your NAD+ levels may be one of the smartest health investments you can make.
Reference
Covarrubias, A. J., Perrone, R., Grozio, A., & Verdin, E. (2021). NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 22(2), 119–141. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-020-00313-x
