NAD+ and Cellular Energy: What the Early Research Shows

Why Energy Changes With Age

Many people notice that their energy feels different in their forties and fifties than it did earlier in life. Sleep, stress, activity, and nutrition all play a role. Researchers are also studying changes at the cellular level, including changes in a molecule called NAD+.

What NAD+ Does

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every cell. It helps carry energy through the chemical reactions that mitochondria use to produce ATP, the cell's main energy currency. NAD+ also supports enzymes involved in normal cellular maintenance.

Studies suggest that NAD+ levels tend to decline with age. Researchers are studying whether supporting NAD+ levels may support cellular energy metabolism, but the effects of NAD+ supplementation on how people feel and function are still being investigated.

What an Early Study Measured

One challenge with oral NAD+ is that it is not clear how much reaches the inside of cells. An early, small study posted on bioRxiv tested a modified oral NAD+ formulation designed to address that question. This study is a preprint, which means it has not been peer reviewed.

The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy adults aged 45 to 75. Participants took the formulation or a placebo for five days, and the primary analysis included 50 people. The researchers reported the following results:

• NAD levels measured inside blood cells were higher in the treatment group than in the placebo group after five days.
• NAD levels in the liquid portion of the blood did not change.
• Byproducts of NAD metabolism increased, which suggests the NAD was being used.
• One mild side effect, nausea, was reported in the treatment group.

This study measured blood markers over a short period. It did not show that the formulation improves energy, exercise recovery, sleep, mood, or aging. Longer and larger studies are needed to answer those questions.

Is NAD+ Right for You?

You may want to discuss NAD+ with a licensed provider if:

• You are interested in supporting healthy cellular energy metabolism as you age
• You want to understand the current evidence before trying a supplement
• You take other medications or supplements and want to check for interactions

NAD+ is not a replacement for sleep, nutrition, or exercise. Those habits remain the foundation of healthy energy levels.

Questions to Bring to Your Provider

Before you start any new supplement, talk with a licensed healthcare provider. These questions can help:

• Is NAD+ appropriate for me, given my health history and current medications?
• What form and amount would you consider, if any?
• Are there baseline tests you would want before I start?
• How should I judge whether it is doing anything for me?

Because supplements vary in quality and formulation, ask your provider how to evaluate a product before you buy it.

The Bottom Line

NAD+ plays a central role in how cells produce energy, and its levels appear to decline with age. An early, small preprint study suggests that one oral formulation can raise NAD levels inside blood cells over five days. Whether that change translates into noticeable benefits is still unknown. A licensed provider can help you decide whether NAD+ fits your goals.

To learn about NAD+ through Truthe Rx, visit the CLARITY program. Truthe does not prescribe, and an independent licensed provider decides whether a prescription is appropriate for you.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk with your surgeon and a licensed healthcare provider about your situation.