Functions of NAD
NAD plays a fundamental role in almost every cellular process, making it vital for optimal body
function and should be considered in any approach aimed at combating aging.
NAD powers the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cells
Naturally produced in the body, NAD+ is the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is a coenzyme found in all living cells and exists in the body as a redox pair.
NAD regulates the genes of aging and is known as the molecule of youth
NAD is critical for the function of sirtuins, the “longevity proteins”. Sirtuins are a family of seven proteins linked to longevity and considered pivotal regulators of lifespan.
NAD powers DNA repair through PARP activation
Another critical function that NAD powers is DNA repair. Every day, our DNA faces constant damage from what we eat, how we live, and exposure to harmful toxins and even UV radiation from the sun.
PARPs need NAD to function.
When our NAD levels are low,
we don't function optimally
As we age, our natural NAD levels decline
By age 50, NAD+ levels are halved. Why? Firstly, as DNA damage accumulates over time, PARP activity goes into overdrive to repair the damage, consuming more and more NAD.
Secondly, as we age, we have more chronic inflammation, which leads to an increase in immune cells with a surface protein called CD38. CD38 devours NAD to produce cellular signaling molecules consuming up to 100 NAD molecules at a time. All of this results in lower and lower NAD levels, largely due to what we eat and how we live.
Lower NAD levels contributes to aging. We age because our cells age
The cumulative health of each of our 30 trillion cells determine how biologically old we are.
If our cells are not functioning optimally, neither do we. Aging is experienced through fatigue, weakness, increased inflammation, slower recovery from illnesses, memory decline, joint and muscle pain, joint stiffness, slower movement, compromised immune function, increased susceptibility to infections and age-associated diseases.