NAD+ and its precursors – your body’s secret anti-ageing molecules

Ageing well is rapidly becoming a lifestyle choice, and one tiny molecule is emerging as a hero: NAD+. NAD+ is a miracle molecule found in every cell of your body, helping turn food into energy, repair DNA and protect cells from damage.

Here, CAMINO™ Nutrition Scientist, Roz Witney RNutr, explains what NAD+ is, why it matters, and how certain ‘precursors’ might help you age better.

What is NAD+?

Short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+ is a coenzyme, or helper molecule, found in every cell of our bodies. It helps your body turn food into energy, repair damaged DNA, protect your cells, and support proteins that help you stay healthy as you age.

Like most things, however (aside from wrinkles and weight!), our levels of NAD+ decline significantly as we age – and that’s where nicotinamide riboside (NR) and other NAD+ precursors come in.

What is a NAD+ precursor?

A precursor is simply a building block your body uses to make something. They’re a bit like the raw ingredients in a recipe – your body takes them and ‘cooks up’ the final product – in this case, NAD+.

What impact does NAD+ have on ageing?

NAD+ acts as fuel for the tiny engines inside your cells – the mitochondria. Mitochondria are responsible for converting the food you eat into the energy your body and cells need to work properly. As we get older, NAD+ levels drop, and our cells don’t produce energy as efficiently. This can make us feel more tired, recover more slowly, and cause more stress and damage inside our bodies over time.  

How can I increase levels of NAD+?

An effective way to increase levels of NAD+ is to take a supplement called nicotinamide riboside (NR). It’s a well-studied NAD+ precursor, meaning your body can use it to create more NAD+. NR is known for boosting NAD+ efficiently in humans, in key areas like your muscles, brain, and liver.

Is an NR supplement right for me?

That depends on your goals. For many healthy people, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly will naturally support NAD+ production. However, for those interested in proactive ageing strategies, or feel their energy levels and recovery aren’t what they used to be, NAD+ precursors like NR may be a worthwhile investment.

As with any supplement, quality matters. Look for products backed by clinical studies, third-party laboratory testing, and containing proven, effective doses. And remember – supplements work best when they’re part of a healthy lifestyle and nutrient-rich diet!

When will I notice an effect?

You may not feel the deep cell repair straight away, but many people taking NR say they have more energy, better sleep, and sharper focus after 30 to 90 days of supplementation. Research is ongoing, but what we do know is promising: NR supports cellular repair, DNA protection, may help protect against metabolic disorders, and shows potential in supporting healthy ageing.

Key takeaway

NAD+ precursors like NR are becoming popular supplements for good reason. Whether you want to age well, have more energy, sharpen your focus, or support your long-term health, boosting your NAD+ with a well-researched supplement like NR could be a science-backed step in the right direction.

Discover more about CAMINO™’s Premium Vitality Capsules https://caminonutrition.com/products/premium-vitality-capsules-powered-by-monajuventa-tm-nu , which contain 300mg of bioavailable nicotinamide riboside chloride (NR).

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The use of a systems approach to increase NAD⁺ in human participants: Henderson, J.D., Quigley, S.N.Z., Chachra, S.S. et al. The use of a systems approach to increase NAD⁺ in human participants. npj Aging 10, 7 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41514-023-00134-0

Conze D, Brenner C, Kruger CL. Safety and Metabolism of Long-term Administration of NIAGEN (Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride) in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial of Healthy Overweight Adults. Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 5;9(1):9772. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-46120-z. PMID: 31278280; PMCID: PMC6611812.

Mehmel M, Jovanović N, Spitz U. Nicotinamide Riboside-The Current State of Research and Therapeutic Uses. Nutrients. 2020 May 31;12(6):1616. doi: 10.3390/nu12061616. PMID: 32486488; PMCID: PMC7352172.