What the heck is NAD?

NAD has received an influx of press over the last few years as being the miracle supplement that combats aging. Celebrities such as Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner have been seen getting it via IV and saying “I’m going to (take) NAD for the rest of my life and I’m never going to age”.

In typical Olive Well fashion, I’ve done the research so you don’t have to!

NAD: Coined “The Miracle Anti-Ager”

Fact or fiction? What’s the catch?

Let’s start with the basics. NAD is “Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide”. It’s a coenzyme found in all living cells. So, it’s already in our body. It plays a crucial role in energy metabolism by facilitating redox reactions, which involve the transfer to electrons.

Um – can you explain that to me like I’m 6?

NAD is a helper in our bodies that helps us get energy from the food we eat. Think of it like a little helper that moves tiny parts, called electrons, around to help make energy. As we grow older, we have less of this helper, which can make it harder for our bodies to use energy.

NAD can be thought of like two different types of helpers: one is called NAD+ and the other is called NADH. They work together to help our bodies use energy from food and keep everything running smoothly.

NAD+ is like the helper that gets ready to take energy, while NADH is like the helper that just finished giving energy. They help our bodies do important things like make energy, fix our cells when they get hurt, and send messages inside our bodies to keep everything working well.

Why take NAD+ and not NADH?

Choosing between them depends on your health goals. NAD+ is better for increasing overall NAD levels in the body, while NADH provides more immediate energy support.

If our bodies already have NAD, why take it?

Taking an NAD+ supplement is like giving your body more of that special helper we talked about. When you have more NAD+, it helps your body make energy more efficiently, fix itself when something is wrong, and stay healthy as you get older.

To that 6 year old from earlier: It’s like adding extra batteries to your toys so they can work really well!

NAD+ IV vs Supplement

Taking NAD+ in an IV is like getting super fast energy boosts directly into your body. It goes right into your bloodstream, so it works quickly. While it is the most effective, it’s also the most expensive, and not as easily accessible.

Taking NAD+ in a pill takes a little longer for your body to use it, since it has to be digested first. That’s why if you opt for the pill form, you MUST ensure it’s liposomal. Otherwise, you’re more or less peeing it out. Ew.

Liposomal Supplements Explained

Liposomal supplements are like tiny delivery trucks for vitamins and nutrients. These trucks are made of fat, which helps carry the good stuff through your body more efficiently.

When you take a liposomal supplement, it helps your body absorb the vitamins better, just like a delivery truck makes sure your packages get to the right place quickly and safely.

Liposomal supplements are created by using tiny bubbles called liposomes, which are made from phospholipids. The fatty nature of liposomes help the nutrients pass through cell membranes more easily, making it easier for the body to absorb them.

Fact-Check That Your NAD+ is Liposomal

Review the ingredients – check for phospholipids. A common phospholipid is phosphatidylcholine, usually found in things like Soybeans or Sunflower seeds. More specifically, sunflower lecithin, which is derived from sunflower seeds, is a common source of phosphatidylcholine. So, if you see that in your supplements, that’s why!

Inflammation check: isn’t sunflower inflammatory?

Sunflower oil can be inflammatory because it’s highly processed (and heated during said process) which can lead to the formulation of unhealthy compounds and free radicals that may contribute to inflammation. That’s why if you see oils such as Palm or Sunflower on your ingredient lists to limit your consumption.

However, phosphatidylcholine itself is not considered inflammatory even when derived from sunflower oil – it’s actually the opposite. It plays a role in cell membrane integrity, and helps produce signaling molecules that can actually reduce inflammation.

How Does NAD+ Help with Aging?

The big 5: Energy, DNA repair, cellular health, sirtuin activation, and mitochondrial function.

1. Energy Production: NAD+ is crucial for converting food into energy in the cells. As we age, our energy levels often decline, and maintaining NAD+ helps support this process.

2.DNA Repair: NAD+ is involved in activating enzymes that repair damaged DNA, which can accumulate with age.

3. Cellular Health: It plays a role in regulating cellular processes, including inflammation and stress responses, promoting overall cellular health.

4. Sirtuin Activation: NAD+ activates sirtuins, a group of proteins that help regulate metabolism, inflammation, and aging-related processes.

5. Mitochondrial Function: It supports mitochondrial function, which is essential for energy production and overall cellular health. By boosting NAD+ levels, researchers believe it may help mitigate some age-related declines and promote healthier aging.

What’s a Trustworthy NAD+ Supplement?

As always, it’s best to consult your doctor before taking a new supplement. However, this is a brand that I like!

Maripolio NAD+: On Amazon.

Ingredients are NAD? Check!

Includes a phospholipid? Check! Includes phosphatidylcholine from non GMO sunflower oil.

I hope this was helpful to you! I’d love to know if you start taking NAD+. Send me a note if so!

xx