Nutrition Facts with Dr. Greger

Healthy Aging with NAD+

36 snips
Aug 14, 2025
Explore the vital role of NAD+ in cellular health and how it influences aging. Discover how NAD+ levels decline over time and the implications for metabolism. The conversation dives into the potential of NAD+ boosters to extend lifespan and enhance healthspan. You'll learn about the pros and cons of nicotinic acid as a supplement, backed by historical trials and emerging research that challenges common misconceptions.
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INSIGHT

NAD+ Is Central To Metabolism And Cell Health

  • NAD+ is an essential cofactor required for about 500 enzymes and critical metabolic energy extraction.
  • The body constantly synthesizes, recycles, and breaks down NAD+ to maintain cellular vitality.
INSIGHT

NAD+ Decline With Age Is Not Universal

  • Popular claims that NAD+ universally declines with age are not well supported by the limited and inconsistent evidence.
  • Some tissues show modest declines, others show none, so the universal-decline premise is misleading.
INSIGHT

Rodent Benefits Don’t Guarantee Human Results

  • In rodents, NAD+ boosters produced dramatic multi-system benefits and sometimes lifespan extension.
  • These effects in animals fuel excitement but may not predict human outcomes.
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