NAD+ is a hot topic in the world of health and wellness, loved by celebrities such as the Kardashians, Justin Bieber, and Jennifer Aniston, it has become the celebrity secret to slow aging. This article will explain what NAD+ is, why NAD+ supplements are essential for healthy aging and why we need to address aging at a cellular level.

NAD+ is the healthy aging molecule

NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and it is a natural molecule found in every cell in the body. It powers over 500 reactions to ensure cells function optimally.

Some of the most important functions of NAD+ include:

• Energy production – NAD+ is critical to convert food into cellular energy
• Repairing cellular damage – NAD+ switches on cellular maintenance and repair pathways
• Sleep – NAD+ helps to regulate your circadian rhythm which ensures you get quality restorative sleep
• Boost skin health – NAD+ repairs skin damage and supports collagen production
• Enhance cognitive function – NAD+ supports brain health and ensures brain cells have adequate energy to function

Unfortunately, NAD+ levels drop by 50% every 20 years and this rate of decline can be accelerated by lifestyle factors. NAD+ decline has been identified as a key driver of the aging process leading to lots of research into finding ways to boost NAD+ levels.

An inside out approach to aging well

The reason NAD+ is hailed for its anti-aging benefits is because it addresses the root causes of aging. Aging occurs because of key cellular changes called the ‘Hallmarks of Aging’, which drive the aging process.  Studies show that targeting these can slow and reverse the aging process.

NAD+ is one of the only molecules which positively impacts all of the hallmarks of aging to restore cellular health. This is why boosting your NAD+ levels has whole-body benefits.

NAD+ to slow skin aging

One example of targeting aging at the cellular level is to support skin health. Topicals, creams and external treatments can help to reduce the symptoms of aging at the surface, but we must address why these symptoms are occurring at a cellular level.

For example, many people take collagen supplements or use topicals to increase collagen, however, this does not address the root cause of the problem. Collagen declines during aging because the fibroblast cells which naturally produce collagen in the skin become damaged and dysfunctional.

NAD+ decline during aging contributes to damaged fibroblasts, not only reducing their ability to produce collagen and elastin, but also increasing inflammation which causes further damage to the skin structure. This is visible as fine lines, wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity and reduced healing.