Energy, It’s the backbone behind everything fitness. Workouts, recovery and even just normal bodily functions need energy. What’s the energy source behind all this? NAD+, short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, doesn’t have the flashiest or even most well known name in the industry, but don’t let that fool you. NAD+ plays a massive role in how your cells produce energy, recover and even age. Whether you’re an athlete, or just want to age more gracefully, NAD+ is the supplement worth knowing about.
What is NAD+?
NAD+ is a coenzyme found in every cell that resides in your body. Its job is to help your mitochondria create ATP, so your cells have usable energy. NAD+ is also a big player in your body’s metabolic function, cellular repair and even DNA health.
As we get older, NAD+ levels decline, leaving people with slower recovery, reduced energy, brain fog and tired skin. This is why supplementing with NAD+ has become a trend for those who want to wind back the clock a bit. The best part? It’s backed by science.
NAD+ Precursors: What to Look For
Now for the bad news. NAD+, when taken as a direct supplement, doesn’t absorb well into your body. Don’t let that put you off, there’s a work around, precursors. Precursors are compounds that, when taken, convert into NAD+ inside your body. The main one that you’ll see on the market in NMN (Nicotinamide mononucleotide). If you’re looking for NAD+, NMN is highly bioavailable and will raise your NAD+ levels no worries.
Benefits of NAD+ & NMN Supplementation
So I’ve got your attention when it comes to NAD+. Want to hear the benefits too? Here are the highlights
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More Energy: Within a few weeks of consistent use, users noticed that they feel more energised and less tired.
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Faster Recovery: With the reduced inflammation and improved cellular repair, post- training recovery becomes a breeze.
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Anti-Ageing Effects: It’s no fountain of youth, however NAD+ has been shown to help you age more gracefully by protecting cells from oxidative stress and DNA damage.
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Mental Clarity: Brain function, memory recall and reducing mental fatigue all gets a nice bump from higher NAD+ levels.
How to Increase Your NAD+
If you’re looking to raise your NAD+ levels, take NMN daily, like a multivitamin or creatine. Start with a 500mg daily dose and see how you feel after 1-2 weeks. From there you can work your way up to 1000mg, which is the maximum dosage. Taking too much NMN, or too much NAD+, can cause side effects like nausea, headaches, skin issues and liver strain. Starting at the bottom end of the recommended doses, and adjusting as you go will make sure you’re safe.
Conclusion
Increasing your NAD+ levels through NMN may not be the first thing you look at when choosing your supplements, but it is definitely one of the most important ones that you can add. Supporting energy and the cellular level, improving recovery, and having multiple long term benefits, a NAD+ precursor supplement is worth adding into your daily stack.