NAD+ Supplements for Anti-aging and Better, Younger Skin?

NAD+ supplements are gaining traction as way to have younger and more beautiful skin.

Okay, so not too long ago, I started seeing instagram ads for NAD+ supplements for better and younger skin.

As someone who started her journey really late in life, and who missed out on her younger years, the quest for younger looking skin is a continual one, so I tend to get a lot of these kinds of products on my insta feed. 

Given how expensive these tend to be though, I don’t ever buy anything without doing my homework first, and sharing the results of that research with all of you, my lovely friends, is exactly what this blog is for.

What exactly is NAD+?

NAD+ or Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, is a coenzyme found in all living cells that plays a role in energy metabolism, DNA repair, and cell-signaling. Basically, in a nutshell, up until our teenage years, we have a lot of it, and then after that, the amount that we produce sharply falls off and continues to decline as we age. In recent years, NAD+ supplements that aim to raise our levels back to the levels that we have as teenages have been gaining in popularity for their health benefits, particularly in terms of ageing and age-related conditions.

Given how many different NAD+ products are out there on the market, I thought it best to do some research before committing to buying one.

What are the benefits of boosting your NAD+ ?

The following is a list of the benefits of NAD+ supplementation:

• Enhanced Energy Production: As an essential component to mitochondrial function and ATP production, boosting your NAD+ is also a generally good way to boost your energy levels.
  

• Improved Cellular Repair: As it supports DNA repair mechanisms, it can also potentially reduce cellular aging over time as well.
  

• Anti-aging effects: Some studies suggest that NAD+ may slow aspects of aging by maintaining mitochondrial health and promoting cellular resiliance.
  

• Cognitive Function: NAD+ may support brain health and cognitive function by improving mitochondrial efficiency.
  

• Support for Neurodegenerative Diseases & Metabolic Health: Preliminary research indicates NAD+ might have neuro-protective effects, possibly benefitting conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and it can also influence insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, potentially aiding in metabolic disorders.

What are the risks and considerations for NAD+ supplement use?

As with anything, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is, so I thought it wise to play Devil's Advocate and also combine a list of potential risks as well. They are as follows:

• Limited Long-Term Data: Most research is preliminary, with limited long-term human studies on safety and efficacy. Many of the studies done on human subjects were short-term and with small sample sizes.

  
  

• Overstimulation of NAD+ Pathways: Excessive supplementation could potentially disrupt cellular balance or metabolic processes or lead to unintended cellular effects.

  
  

• Formulation is important: NAD+ by itself is poorly absored orally; due to the fact that it is such a large and complex molecule.

For myself, the latter two points were of particular interest; the first of which means that while the potential for great positive effects is certainly there, as with anything, it must be taken in moderation. The second tells me that even if taken in moderation, the fact that it isn't absorbed into the blood well, may mean that all these supplements that are being sold still may not actually have much of an effect.

This lead me on my next research quest:

If NAD+ supplements aren't absorbed well, what are the other options?

In answer to this question, I found three solutions:

1. Liposomal NAD+. This kind of NAD+ supplement is encapsulated in small bubbles of fat that help to make it easier to absorb.
   

2. NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) Supplements. In a nutshell, these are made up of smaller molecules that are easily and readily absorbed into the body and will convert to another compound called NMN, and then into NAD+.
   

3. NMN supplements: NMN is also a relatively small and easy to absort molecule and converts directly into NAD+

   
   

Of these three potential solutions, the one with the most amount of research backing its efficacy and safety was NR supplements, so that's where I decided to turn my attention.

What are the best NR brands available?

Of those brands available, I found these 4 to be the most recommended as high quality NR supplements. All of them come in capsule form and in dosages of 250-300mg.

• TRU NIAGEN by ChromaDex

  One of the most well-known and extensively studied NR supplements on the market.

  Backed by scientific research. Manufactured in GMP-certified facilities. ChromaDex is a reputable company with rigorous quality controls.
  

• Elysium Basis

  Combines NR with pterostilbene, a compound similar to resveratrol, for added antioxidant benefits. Clinically studied formula. Designed to support cellular energy and longevity. GMP-certified.

  **Note: Subscription-based, premium price.

• Thorne Research Niacinamide Riboside

  A trusted supplement maker, known for high purity and quality. Purity tested. Free from common allergens and unnecessary fillers.

• Life Extension NAD+ Cell Regenerator

  Contains Nicotinamide Riboside along with other NAD+ supporting ingredients.

  High-quality, third-party tested. Designed for cellular health and energy.

CONCLUSION

Given the fact that it is the most well researched, it comes from a well-trusted and established company with a high quality record, and it is available without a subscription model, I decided to go with Tru Niagen for my first trial.

So, after looking into NAD+ supplements, and seeing that they were useful for not just anti-ageing effects on the skin, but also the mind and the body in general, I decided that they would be worth it to give it a try. Looking at the various products available, I found that the most effective known method is to increase NAD+ is to take NR supplements, and let the body generate NAD+ itself naturally.

From the list of the most well-recommended NAD+ supplements available, I decided to go with TRU NIAGEN as that was the most well-researched and had the best track record. In general, I really hate taking capsules, and as overstimulation of NAD+ pathways was cited as a potential issue, I thought it best to go with the 250mg capsules over the 300mg ones. I went with a 3-month order, so from here, we will see how it goes!

As with anything, if I feel any adverse effects, or see side effects, I plan to stop immediately. Beyond that, please also keep in mind that I'm not a doctor, so you should always consult with your regular health care professional if you have any doubts as to whether or not it is right for you. For anyone who had seen ads for this stuff and was interested in it, I hope this helps! Will let ya know how it goes :)