Choosing the best health supplement is always a high-involving decision. You can never tell outright if the product will achieve its marketing claims or only leave you grappling with a slew of adverse effects.
If you’ve already bought into the NAD+ craze and are wondering how to pick the best NAD+ supplements for your health, this article is for you. We’ll look at the four primary factors that qualify NAD+ supplements as effective and safe.
But first, let’s start by familiarizing ourselves with these products and what they constitute.
What Are NAD+ Supplements And What Can They Do For You?
NAD+ supplements are health and wellness products formulated with NAD+ as the primary bioactive ingredient.
NAD+ is an oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a coenzyme found in various cells and tissues in the body.
NAD takes part in numerous biological and physiological processes. It’s particularly involved in energy metabolism.
The compound is known as a dinucleotide because its molecular structure consists of two nucleotides bound together via their phosphate groups. One of the constituent nucleotides contains nicotinamide, whereas the other comprises adenine nucleobase, hence the name nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.
NAD exists in the body in two different forms. These include the oxidized form NAD+ and the reduced form NADH. NAD+ is the more bioactive form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. That explains why there are more NAD+ than NADH supplements.
Taking the best NAD+ supplement can provide a host of health benefits. First, NAD+ has been extensively investigated for its anti-aging properties. Studies have found that increased NAD+ levels in the bloodstream can suppress age-related adipose tissue inflammation. What makes the compound such an effective anti-aging agent is its ability to fight the markers of premature ageing right from the cellular level by boosting mitochondrial functions.
NAD+ supplements may also address inflammatory conditions. These products inhibit inflammation by inhibiting the production and signalling of cytokines. They’ve also proven effective against the growth and proliferation of malignant cells, making them a potential treatment for cancer.
Like its reduced cousin – NADH – NAD+ contains antioxidant properties. Supplementing with NAD+ may help in fending off chronic diseases resulting from oxidative damage to body cells.
How Do I Pick The Best NAD+ Supplements?
1. Check the NAD+-Based Ingredients
Not all NAD+ supplements contain the actual word ‘NAD+.’ Some products may be labeled with related variations of the molecule.
Remember that NAD+ is essentially an oxidized form of NAD, with NADH being its reduced cousin. The implication here is that a supplement formulated with either NAD or NADH essentially contains NAD+. The oxidation or reduction of NAD takes place seamlessly in the body, depending on the prevailing cellular conditions.
Another key thing to note is that the body synthesizes NAD+ from two primary sources – vitamin B3 and tryptophan. Therefore, a supplement with either compound as a major ingredient inherently contains NAD+.
Vitamin B3 comes in many forms, including niacin, nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). As you may have gathered by now, a product essentially contains NAD+ if its ingredient list includes significant amounts of any of the four compounds.
But here’s where things get a bit exciting. Most NAD+ precursors convert to NMN at some point. Therefore, a supplement containing NMN is theoretically the most bioactive form of NAD+ and will absorb into the bloodstream much faster.
2. Consider the Supporting Ingredients
Most NAD+ supplements contain other beneficial compounds that work synergistically with NAD+ to produce compounded health benefits.
The following are the top supporting ingredients to look out for in NAD+ supplements;
TMG
Trimethylglycine (TMG), also known as betaine, is a molecule produced in the body that donates a methyl group during NAD+ metabolism. Simply put, this compound enhances NAD+ efficacy.
As a standalone molecule, betaine has proven effective at enhancing athletic performance and attenuating various cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a plant-derived compound that’s undoubtedly one of the most potent antioxidants ever isolated.
There’s sufficient evidence that resveratrol may fight certain old-age diseases by activating specific genes. It also reverses the medical risks of aging by regulating the sirtuin system and calorie signaling.
Apigenin
Apigenin is another plant flavonoid noted for its antioxidant properties.
Some research indicates that the compound may address a host of medical problems, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, inflammation, cancer, and diabetes. It’s also an effective NAD+ booster.
Pterostilbene
It’s almost impossible to discuss NAD+ boosters without mentioning pterostilbene.
Highly abundant in blueberries, this compound can treat and even prevent numerous medical conditions, including various types of cancer.
3. Beware Of Potentially Harmful Additives
It doesn’t matter how potent a NAD+ supplement is or the supporting ingredients it contains. The product may not deliver its intended results if it’s laced with toxins.
The problem is that many problematic ingredients in health supplements do not trigger sudden reactions. They typically fly under the radar and only erupt after long-term exposure or in the event of an underlying medical problem. Besides, many of them are usually added with good intentions.
Parabens are the first ingredient to avoid in NAD+ supplements. These compounds have been shown to disrupt the endocrine system, adversely impacting reproductive health.
Next are phthalates. Like parabens, increased exposure to phthalates may throw your hormonal system off balance, causing severe fertility problems.
Below are other compounds to avoid in NAD+ supplements;
- Heavy metals, such as lead and mercury
- Sulfates
- Hydrogenated oil
- Artificial flavorings and colorings
- Titanium dioxide
- Magnesium silicate
4. Pick the Best Form and Mind Your Dosage
NAD+ supplements are primarily available as pills/tablets and capsules. Both formulations are intended for oral administration. They also have a near-similar onset time.
However, capsules are preferable due to their tastelessness. You don’t have to contend with the bitter aftertaste common in some NAD+ supplements.
Capsules also have a higher bioavailability than tablets. Most encapsulated NAD+ compounds enter the bloodstream once the container pops up in the stomach.
As for the doses, NAD+ supplements do not have a recommended serving amount. However, many users consider 250 – 300 milligrams (mg) the ideal dosage.
The idea is to begin low and build momentum gradually until you find a dosage that works for you. That will prevent any adverse reactions to these products, which typically present as gastrointestinal irritation.
Summary
NAD+ is one of the most valuable coenzymes in the human body. The compound is involved in various biological processes, producing therapeutic benefits.
Taking NAD+ supplements is the surest way to address age-related decline in the production of this critical molecule. Hopefully, you can follow the pointers highlighted in this article when shopping for the best NAD+ supplements.
