NAD+

Description

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a naturally occurring coenzyme present in virtually all living cells. It plays a central role in energy production, cellular metabolism, and maintenance processes linked to aging and stress response. Although NAD+ is often discussed alongside “peptides” in wellness and performance circles, it is not a peptide—it is a nucleotide-derived coenzyme essential for redox reactions and cellular signaling.

Molecular Formula: C21H27N7O14P2
Molecular Weight: 663.43 g/mol
CAS Number: 53-84-9

What Are the Effects of NAD+?

NAD+ is recognized for several key functions:

• Energy Production Support: Essential for converting nutrients into cellular energy (ATP), especially in mitochondria.

• Cellular Repair and Stress Response: Involved in pathways linked to DNA repair and cellular resilience.

• Metabolic Regulation: Supports carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism through enzymatic reactions.

• Aging-Related Interest: NAD+ levels tend to decline with age, which is one reason it is studied in longevity and metabolic health research.

How Does It Work?

NAD+ works mainly as an electron carrier in redox reactions—it cycles between NAD+ (oxidized form) and NADH (reduced form). This cycle is critical for processes like glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation (energy production).

In addition, NAD+ is consumed as a substrate by enzymes involved in cellular maintenance, including:

• Sirtuins (linked to metabolism and stress response)

• PARPs (involved in DNA repair)

Because NAD+ is both used and recycled, overall availability can influence energy metabolism and cellular repair capacity.

Scientific Evidence and Research Status

NAD+ is biologically essential and well-established in human physiology. However, the evidence varies depending on the method used to raise NAD+:

• Precursors (like niacin, NR, NMN) are widely studied to increase NAD+ levels indirectly.

• Direct NAD+ administration (e.g., injections/infusions) has growing interest, but high-quality long-term human data on outcomes, ideal dosing, and comparative effectiveness is still limited.

Overall, NAD+ is a legitimate and fundamental molecule in biology, but many “performance” or “anti-aging” claims remain ahead of strong clinical proof.

Role in Sports and Performance Contexts

In athletic and wellness circles, NAD+ is sometimes used with the goal of improving recovery, fatigue resistance, and overall energy. However, these uses are not standardized and often rely on anecdotal reports rather than strong clinical evidence.

Regarding anti-doping: NAD+ is not typically discussed like anabolic agents, but athletes should still verify substances against the current WADA Prohibited List, especially when using injectable products or compounded formulations.

Standard Dosage

Administer 100-200 mg subcutaneous injections 2-3 times weekly, or 500 mg IV over 2-4 hours weekly.

Concentration Breakdown

Reconstituting 500 mg (500,000 mcg) of NAD+ in 2 mL yields a concentration of:

500,000 mcg ÷ 2 mL = 250,000 mcg/mL

Twice-Weekly Protocol (4 Weeks)

Typical example doses in practice discussions range widely; for an illustrative 100 mg dose:

• Dose: 100 mg = 100,000 mcg

• Volume: 100,000 mcg ÷ 250,000 mcg/mL = 0.4 mL

• In a 50-unit syringe: 0.4 mL = 40 units

Doses per vial: 500 mg ÷ 100 mg = 5 doses per vial
4-week cycle needs: 8 doses total (2 per week × 4 weeks) = 800 mg → 2 vials required

Daily Protocol (4 Weeks)

A common illustrative daily starting point is 50 mg:

• Dose: 50 mg = 50,000 mcg

• Volume: 50,000 mcg ÷ 250,000 mcg/mL = 0.2 mL

• In a 50-unit syringe: 0.2 mL = 20 units

Doses per vial: 500 mg ÷ 50 mg = 10 doses per vial
4-week cycle needs: 28 doses total = 1400 mg → 3 vials required

Given the variability in NAD+ administration practices and the lack of universal standardized injectable guidelines outside specific medical contexts, professional medical advice is essential for safe use. Its potential benefits must be weighed against possible risks with caution.

Storage Instructions