NAD+

Also called: Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, NAD

NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is a small helper molecule, called a coenzyme, found inside almost every living cell in the human body. Cells use NAD+ to turn the food you eat into the energy they need to work, and it also helps the body repair damage and keep cells healthy. NAD+ is not a peptide or a protein; it is a well-studied molecule that has been known to science for many decades.

NAD+ plays a central part in how cells make energy, repair worn-out parts, and respond to stress. The amount of NAD+ in the body naturally goes down as people get older, which is one reason researchers study it in the context of aging, metabolism, and tiredness. Many people take NAD+ itself, or building blocks the body turns into NAD+ (such as NMN or NR), to try to support energy and healthy aging. Research in this area is active, but much of the strongest evidence still comes from cells and animals rather than people.

Most human research on raising NAD+ is still early, and results for benefits like more energy or slower aging are not yet settled. NAD+ and its precursors are usually sold as research chemicals or dietary supplements, and they are not approved medicines for treating any disease. Forms and doses vary widely (including oral supplements, lozenges, and intravenous use), and product quality differs between sellers. Anyone thinking about using NAD+ should talk to a doctor first, since it may matter for people with certain health conditions.