31 Jul How Does NAD Combat Aging?

Aging is inevitable, and as such, many people want to do all they can to slow the aging process. That’s where NAD as an anti-aging treatment comes in. NAD has been shown to jumpstart cells by providing them with crucial metabolic components to help them to keep regenerating and rejuvenating. This article outlines the four main ways NAD battles against aging, helping individuals to remain youthful, even as the biological clock ticks on.

The aging process

At a cellular level, the inability of cells to regenerate characterizes the process of aging. As cellular activity slows down, physiological processes like cellular metabolism, mitochondrial activity, and gene expression break down.

Over time, these mechanisms reach a tipping point where the body can no longer self-renew as quickly as its cells fail, which is what we know as aging. Since the aging process starts with the inability of cells to regenerate, scientists believe jump-starting this process might hold the key to slowing, halting, or even reversing aging.

NAD’s four-pronged attack on aging

Gene expression

Scientists believe NAD plays a pivotal role as a signaling cofactor in gene expression. In one study, NAD catalyzed gene expression to counter the effects of a pathogen on an organism.

In humans, NAD is believed to function in the same way, signaling gene expression in response to changes in internal and external environmental factors brought on by aging.

As the body ages, NAD-dependent signals tell cells to adjust and respond to the changing environment. Unfortunately, as the body ages, natural NAD levels fall, reducing this signaling impact.

NAD therapy replenishes NAD levels, helping ensure continued gene expression signaling and promoting overall cellular health.

Chromosomal maintenance

Chromosomes reside in the center of every cell and are responsible for cell division, an important maintenance event that helps a cell renew itself. As humans age, scientists believe oxidative effects start to alter these chromosomes, suppressing the ability of body cells to regenerate.

NAD reduces free radicals (byproducts of oxidative processes), which protects chromosomes from these damaging effects. Regular NAD therapy provides cells with a steady supply of NAD as natural levels fall, enhancing chromosomal maintenance and ensuring cells have what they need to continue regenerating.

DNA repair

Genome stability is central to the body’s ability to function correctly. Since genes are the ‘software code’ that runs all the functions in the body, damage (bugs) is thought to cause most, if not all, age-related issues.

In fact, scientists believe aging itself is a direct result of gene damage. NAD has been found to play a crucial role in DNA repair through its influence on sirtuins, a family of cofactors that modulate DNA repair processes.

As the body ages, NAD levels fall, and DNA repair slows down. Replenishing NAD levels can help restore DNA repair to youthful levels, slowing down or even reversing some signs of aging.

Mitochondrial preservation and stimulation

Mitochondria are tiny powerhouses that power cells through the production of ATP, one of the body’s primary energy molecules.

NAD feeds into multiple mitochondrial processes as a critical cofactor in metabolic energy production. As humans age, NAD levels naturally decline, preventing mitochondria from functioning at optimal levels.

Replenishing the body’s NAD levels through regular NAD therapy provides mitochondria with the essential materials to keep powering cellular functions like repair, regeneration, and rejuvenation.

NAD anti-aging benefits for brain health

NAD’s antioxidative properties and protection against impaired mitochondrial function are especially beneficial for brain health. Damage to brain cells caused by these issues have been associated with age-related brain disorders such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease.

NAD also helps combat inflammation that contributes to cognitive decline and the development of these disorders. Protecting brain cells from damage preserves the brain’s plasticity and neuronal stress resistance. Plasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt to changing environments. Neuronal stress resistance prevents neurons from misfiring messages and is vital to cognitive function.

Does NAD therapy cause any side effects?

NAD is a naturally occurring coenzyme, and thus there are few side effects associated with treatment. However, it should be noted that NAD therapy studies are still ongoing, and so long-term effects remain largely unknown at this time.

Typical mild-to-moderate side effects of NAD therapy include:

• Headaches
• Indigestion
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue

There are also some side effects associated with administering treatments via IV infusion, such as:

• Vein damage
• Infection at injection site
• Air embolism

It should be noted that these risks are significantly lowered when receiving treatment from a licensed and trained healthcare professional. Procedural and hygiene safety standards were designed to prevent these side effects from occurring. Your NAD provider should conduct a thorough health screening to make sure NAD therapy is the right treatment for you. You should also verify that your provider’s lab is certified and has operating standards in line with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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