NAD+ — Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide

About NAD+

The essential coenzyme found in every living cell — central to energy metabolism, DNA repair, and sirtuin signalling.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) is one of the most fundamental coenzymes in biology — present in every living cell and required for over 500 enzymatic reactions. It cycles between an oxidised (NAD+) and reduced (NADH) form, ferrying electrons through cellular energy production.

Cellular NAD+ levels decline progressively with age — by age 60, NAD+ concentrations are typically reduced 50% or more compared to young adults. This decline has become a central topic in modern aging research, linking mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA repair capacity, and sirtuin signalling.

Research mechanism

NAD+ research focuses on its role in:

• Sirtuin activation — particularly SIRT1 and SIRT3, key longevity-associated NAD+-dependent enzymes
• PARP-mediated DNA repair — PARPs consume NAD+ to repair single- and double-strand DNA breaks
• Mitochondrial energy production — NAD+ is the electron acceptor for glycolysis and Krebs cycle
• CD38 modulation — the major NAD+-consuming enzyme that increases with age
• Cellular redox state — the NAD+/NADH ratio is a master regulator of metabolism