NAD+

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a vital coenzyme present in all living cells, essential for numerous biochemical reactions that sustain cellular function. It is integral to energy metabolism, acting as a key electron carrier in redox reactions within the mitochondria to generate ATP, the cell’s primary energy source. NAD+ also plays a pivotal role in DNA repair by activating enzymes such as PARPs (poly ADP-ribose polymerases), which repair damaged DNA strands, and sirtuins, proteins that regulate mitochondrial health, gene expression, and stress responses.

Beyond its metabolic and reparative functions, NAD+ influences circadian rhythms and cell signaling pathways that maintain homeostasis. Levels of NAD+ naturally decline with age, and this reduction is associated with impaired cellular repair mechanisms, metabolic inefficiencies, and increased susceptibility to age-related conditions, sparking significant interest in its potential therapeutic and anti-aging applications.