EvencelebslikeKendall JennerandHailey Bieberare getting in on the NAD trend.

What is NAD?

NAD, short fornicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a naturally occurringbiomoleculefound in all living cells.

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Its mainly produced and stored in our cellsmitochondriathe powerhouse of the cell.

Does it work for anti-aging?

However, the research in question is relatively new and limited.

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longevity and preventive health expert and co-founder and medical director atAgelessRx

Ultimately, we need more robust human studies to confirm the supposed anti-aging benefits of NAD.

Here is what early research has to say:

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Keep in mind: Oral niacinamide has not been widely investigated in humans for skin aging.

close up of person drinking a green smoothie that may cause their poop to be green

FWIW though,moderate exercise15has also been shown to boost NAD+ levels and offset age-related muscle loss.

But keep in mind: These findings are still new and need to be further studied to prove effective.

Here is what the research has to say:

1.

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One trial showed thatNMN supplementation improves insulin sensitivity18in post-menopausal people living with obesity.

However, theres not enough evidence to show that these results apply to other groups of people.

Therefore, additional robust research is still needed to confirm these claims.

cup of matcha green tea sitting on a wooden ledge

longevity and preventive health expert and co-founder and medical director atAgelessRx

In the study, NMN supplementation increased oxygen uptake and improved endurance as the exercise intensity increased.

Topical NAD can also cause side effects, including itching, burning, and redness.

Not everyone will benefit from boosting NAD+ levels.

LOS ANGELES - FEB 10: Patrick Schwarzenegger at the White Lotus Season 3 Premiere at Paramount Studios on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA

This is why its best to purchase supplements that have beenthird-party testedby reputable companies likeThe United States Pharmacopeial ConventionorNSF.

Its also unclear whether NAD supplements can have a significant positive effect on your overall health.

So, do you need them?

Woman drinking a protein meal replacement shake in the kitchen

Likely, no (despite what celebs and TikTokers may tell you).

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Frederick, David W et al.

Loss of NAD Homeostasis Leads to Progressive and Reversible Degeneration of Skeletal Muscle.Cell metabolismvol.

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Ruskovska, Tatjana, and David A Bernlohr.

The Role of NAD+in Metabolic Regulation of Adipose Tissue: Implications for Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance.Biomedicinesvol.

18 Sep. 2023, doi:10.3390/biomedicines11092560

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Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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She, Jing et al.

Pharmacology and Potential Implications of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Precursors.Aging and diseasevol.

1 Dec. 2021, doi:10.14336/AD.2021.0523

Peluso, Augusto et al.

Age-Dependent Decline of NAD+-Universal Truth or Confounded Consensus?.Nutrientsvol.

4, 17 Nov. 2014, pp.

324328, https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12119.

Hamie, Hanin et al.

A review of the efficacy of popular eye cream ingredients.International journal of womens dermatologyvol.

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Song, Qin et al.

1 Oct. 2019, doi:10.2147/CIA.S194543

Walzik, David et al.

237,3 (2023): e13921.

15, 7 Aug. 2022, p. 3231, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14153231.

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Yoshino, Mihoko, et al.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women.Science, vol.

6547, 11 June 2021, pp.

12241229, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abe9985.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-024-00758-1

Liao, Bagen, et al.

1, 2 Jan. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00442-4.

Freeberg, Kaitlin A et al.

Dietary Supplementation With NAD+-Boosting Compounds in Humans: Current Knowledge and Future Directions.The journals of gerontology.

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78,12 (2023): 2435-2448. doi:10.1093/gerona/glad106

Gindri, Izabelle de Mello et al.

Evaluation of safety and effectiveness of NAD in different clinical conditions: a systematic review.American journal of physiology.

326,4 (2024): E417-E427.

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