You may have heard of NAD plus supplements on social media recently. They’re currently seeing a rise in popularity thanks to claims that they can “reverse” the aging process. But how true is that?
NAD plus naturally exists in your body and is one of the molecules that helps keep your skin appearing youthful. As you age, your NAD plus levels decrease so it stands to reason that a supplement can help counteract that.
However, no anti-aging method is foolproof, which is why we consulted doctors and experts to understand what exactly NAD plus is, how supplements can help the body’s anti-aging process and whether these supplements are safe.
What is NAD plus and what does it do in the body?
NAD plus — nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide — is a coenzyme found in all living cells that keeps “everything running smoothly,” explains Dr. Konstantin Vasyukevich, a New York-based facial plastic surgeon who often discusses aging with patients. It “creates energy and repairs DNA” and also regulates your circadian rhythm.
“It is also involved in the function of sirtuins, proteins that help regulate cell survival and aging processes,” said Nayan Patel, a doctor of pharmacy and founder of Auro Wellness. The coenzyme slightly differs from NADH, which you may also see while looking for NAD plus supplements. NAD plus is oxidized, while NADH is reduced, which basically means NAD plus has an extra electron and when it loses it, it becomes NADH.
NAD plus is naturally found in the body, but as you age, your levels drop, which can lead to tiredness and skin aging, Vasyukevich says. An NAD plus supplement can help combat this, as can a vitamin B3 supplement. Although vitamin B3 is not the same as NAD plus, your body converts vitamin B3 into NAD plus, so these extra supplements can also help your NAD plus levels.
NAD plus benefits
The primary benefit of NAD plus, and, in turn, an NAD plus supplement, is that it’s an energy booster. Studies — including this one from 2023 — have shown that the coenzyme helps with weight management and balances metabolism, as pointed out by Vasyukevich.
“[NAD plus] can do a few cool things,” he says. “It can help with skin health by promoting DNA repair and fighting oxidative stress, which is a big reason skin ages. It can also give you more energy by helping your cells make more [adenosine triphosphate or ATP] — that’s the energy your body runs on.”
