NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is one of the most popular molecules in longevity research. This is no coincidence, as it has been proven many times that our NAD levels decrease significantly as we age. At the same time, studies show that increasing NAD levels is associated with numerous positive effects on various aspects of our health. For longevity researchers like David Sinclair or Mark Hyman , NAD is the answer , on central questions of aging. But how can we maintain our NAD levels and what role can regeNAD from MoleQlar play in this?
On the one hand, precursor molecules can be supplemented and, on the other hand, degradation can be slowed down. A third option is to support the NAD-producing enzymes. regeNAD from MoleQlar combines all three options. The composition of the NAD Regenerating Complex is based on the latest scientific findings and well-researched molecular pathways.
NAD – why you want to keep your level up as you get older
Higher levels of NAD have produced impressive results in animal studies. On average, the animals examined not only lived significantly longer (between 10 and 20%, depending on the study), but were also significantly fitter. Their insulin sensitivity and their memory performance were significantly better than in the control groups. The first studies on humans are also showing good results and many more clinical studies are ongoing. So that you understand the biochemical background better, we will briefly show you the most important points as an overview.
NAD metabolism – a brief overview
NAD metabolism is extremely complex and many molecules and enzymes play a role. Here you will find a brief summary of the most important points:
- NAD is constantly being built up and broken down in our bodies
- There are three ways our body can produce NAD:
- Price handler path (niacin)
- Recycling path (NMN, NR, Nam)
- de novo path (tryptophan)
- The rate-limiting step (“bottleneck”) for the production of NAD is made possible by an enzyme called NAMPT – NMNAT is also very important
- As we age, the amount of NAD in our body decreases.
- The reasons for this are as follows:
- The production decreases (fewer precursors, fewer enzymes)
- The Dismantling or consumption increases. This happens through various enzymes that become active as we age. One of them is called CD38.
- Higher levels of inflammation increase the activity of CD38 and thereby reduce NAD
- Researchers were able to find out in numerous animal studies as well as in human trials that high NAD levels were associated with improved health in old age
For more background information, you can always read our detailed articlel about the NAD-Read metabolism.
Boosting NAD – why precursors are not enough
High NAD levels appear to be a promising path to greater vitality in old age. The first, logical step would be to use the finished molecule. This quickly turned out to be not particularly effective. NAD (whether intravenous or oral) is “too large” and cannot be absorbed directly by our cells.
Let's take another look at NAD metabolism. Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide is known to be produced in three different ways. All three decline with age, so let’s look at how we can strengthen each pathway.
Using the “De Novo Pathway”, our body can produce new NAD based on various precursors . The only question that remains is which precursor ? This question has not yet been fully answered. There are some human studies on NR (nicotinamide riboside) as a supplement. However, the results here are mixed, as not all people experienced an increase in NAD, but in some cases degradation products were increased. Another possibility is to provide more “material” for the synthesis. Our body uses the amino acid L-tryptophan as the basis for the synthesis of new NAD. If we increase the supply of this amino acid, we can support the “de novo pathway”.
Nicotinamide and nicotinic acid are two very similar molecules. They only differ in one chemical group. Nicotinic acid, also abbreviated NA, contains a carboxyl group (COOH), while nicotinamide has a nitrogen-containing amide group. Both are derivatives of vitamin B3, also called niacin. Although very similar in structure, the two molecules are metabolized slightly differently. Nicotinic acid is the starting material for the “price handler pathway”. Here, NA is converted into NMN via the enzyme NAPRT.
Nicotinamide can also be converted as a precursor to NMN. Interestingly, the created molecule can not only be converted back to NAD via the “de novo pathway”, but also via the “salvage pathway”, which is the most active of the three pathways. So we can strengthen all three paths.
regeNAD – a power bundle with more than one approach
From human studies it can be concluded that the administration of precursors alone is not always sufficient to increase the NAD level in the organism. Not only does the synthesis of NAD and recycling decrease, degradation due to the inflammation-related increase in CD38 also increases. This is why we need more than one approach to increasing NAD levels in your body.
According to the German chemist Justus von Liebig's minimum law, growth is limited by the relatively scarcest resource. Some of you still remember the picture of the wine barrel with wooden slats of different heights. The lowest bar determines the height of the water level. It works similarly in our body. We need all resources in sufficient quantities to maintain NAD metabolism. Here regeNAD not only supports you with several precursors, it also offers you an additional trump card with vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is used as a coenzyme for the conversion of NMN to NAD.
How can you actually measure the NAD level? Pretty sure not (yet) at your family doctor. Since this is not a routine measurement in medical practice, we together with Vilnius University have developed an at-home test kit for your NAD level.
Find out where you stand and find out which method will help you maintain and increase your NAD levels.
NAD precursors: More material for your cells
regeNAD provides you with various precursors of NAD and the important co-factor vitamin B6. The amino acid L-tryptophan is the starting point of the “de novo synthesis” of NAD. The vitamin B3 derivatives nicotinic acid and nicotinamide can also be converted to NAD via different pathways. This means you not only activate the “De Novo Pathway”, but also the “Price Handler Pathway” and the “Salvage Pathway”.“
But that's not all there is in regeNAD.
Nice side effect of vitamin B3 in studies: The ApoB level decreases and HDL increases. This gives you the chance to support your vascular health at the same time.
Inhibition of degradation: Less CD38 increases your NAD levels
A varied diet rich in vegetables and legumes is the basis for a healthy life. The great importance of a plant-based diet has been scientifically confirmed time and time again. One of the main reasons for the health-promoting effects of this diet is the phytochemicals it contains. For NAD metabolism there are Apigenin and Luteolin of interest.
Apigenin
Apigenin belongs to the family of flavonoids and occurs naturally in plants such as parsley and the chamomile. In the animal studies, the administration of apigenin increased NAD levels by approx. Increase 50%. The mechanism is the inhibition of CD38. The molecule also has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This effect is mediated by a reduction in inflammatory substances such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). It also supports various enzymes for glutathione metabolism and appears to have positive effects on vascular diseases and diabetes mellitus.
Luteolin
Another plant flavonoid is Luteolin. It is mainly found in carrots, olive oil, thyme and rosemary. In high concentrations it has been shown that luteolin can support the recycling of NAD (salvage pathway). This is the most important source of NAD in our body. Luteolin works by stimulating the key enzyme, NAMPT, which converts NAM into NMN. Key enzyme here means that the speed of the entire reaction depends on this enzyme. Therefore Luteolin can boost NAD metabolism.
In addition to its role in NAD metabolism, luteolin also affects other areas of our body. Similar to apigenin, luteolin has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Even more exciting for research is the interaction between luteolin and the “longevity genes”, also called sirtuins. In addition to activation of SIRT1, some research groups are investigating the role of luteolin on SIRT6. Luteolin binds to SIRT6 and increases the activity of the enzyme twofold. This boosts DNA repair mechanisms, resulting in healthier cells.
Did you know? Another molecule that can support inflammatory processes, glutathione metabolism and healthier mitochondria is GlyNAC. According to a large human study by the Bayor College of Medicine, regular intake of GlyNAC could lead to a measurable strengthening of mitochondria .
