Why does NAD+ Decrease With Age? (And What To Do About It)

Did you know that by the time we reach our 40/50s, our NAD+ levels have dropped to half of what they were in our youth? In fact, by the time we’re in our 70s, our levels can plummet to just 10% of what they once were. Let’s talk about why this happens and what we can do to support healthy aging. 

What is NAD+?

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every cell of our bodies. It plays a key role in energy production, DNA repair, and maintaining cellular health. Essentially, NAD+ is a vital molecule that helps keep our cells functioning at their best.

Why Does NAD+ Decrease with Age?

As we get older, our NAD+ levels naturally decline. Several factors contribute to this decrease:

• Increased Demand: As we get older, our bodies face more stress and damage from inflammation, sun-exposure, oxidative stress, which requires more NAD+ for repair and maintenance. 
• Reduced Production: The enzymes that are involved in NAD+ synthesis also become less efficient over time. This happens as a result of key enzymes (such as NAMPT, which plays a role in NAD+ synthesis) become less active and the raw materials needed for NAD+ production can also become scarcer as we age, leading to lower (and slower)  production.
• Higher Consumption: As our cells work harder to repair age-related damage and stress, they consume more NAD+. Additionally, CD38, the enzyme that breaks down NAD+, increases its activity as we age, leading to higher NAD+ consumption and depleting the available supply.

This combination of all of these different factors creates a situation where our NAD+ levels benign to significantly drop as we age.

According to a study, mechanisms contributing to NAD+ decline include increased activity of NAD+-consuming enzymes such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) and CD38, often activated by cellular stress and DNA damage.

The Impact of Declining NAD+ Levels

Reduced NAD+ levels can have several negative effects on our health and severely impact how we feel in our day to day lives. Symptoms of low NAD+ include: 

• Decreased Energy: NAD+ is essential for converting nutrients into energy. When levels drop, this energy conversion process slows down making your cells unable to produce sufficient energy to get you through your day to day. These lower levels can result in fatigue and reduced physical endurance.
• Impaired DNA Repair: Everyday, our DNA gets damaged from pollutants, UV rays, as well as normal cellular processes. NAD+ is crucial for repairing damaged DNA. Without it, our cells become more susceptible to aging.
• Cellular Aging: NAD+ helps maintain the overall health of your cells, making sure that they continue to function properly. When NAD+ levels are high, our cells can perform their roles efficiently, meaning they are able to produce energy, repair damage, or just overall maintain vital functions. However, as NAD+ levels drop with age, these cellular functions start to decline, speeding up the aging process. 

What Can We Do About It?

Fortunately, there are various different options and lifestyle choices that can help us maintain our NAD+ at optimal levels. These include: 

1. Maintaining a Healthy Diet: Consuming a diet rich in nutrients that support NAD+ production can make a difference. Foods high in vitamin B3 (niacin) such as chicken, tuna, and avocados are all excellent choices to help support your body.
2. Exercising Regularly: Physical activity has been shown to increase NAD+ levels by enhancing the function of enzymes involved in its production.
3. NAD+ Supplements: Supplements like NAD+ precursors (e.g., nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide) can help replenish NAD+ levels.
4. Getting Good Sleep: Quality sleep supports overall cellular health, including the maintenance of NAD+ levels.
5. YOUTHWATER: Our NAD+ enhanced beverage is specifically designed to boost your NAD+ levels in just two weeks with two drinks per day. Available in refreshing cucumber, dragon fruit, and watermelon flavors, YOUTHWATER offers a convenient and delicious way to support healthy aging.

Understanding why our NAD+ levels decline with age and taking proactive steps to help maintain them can have a significant positive impact on our overall health. By incorporating healthy habits and supporting healthy aging with NAD+ supplements (like YOUTHWATER), we can support our body and counteract the effects of NAD+ depletion. 

So, grab your favorite YOUTHWATER, enjoy a nutritious meal, and go for that walk or run you’ve been meaning to go on. Your cells will thank you!