Introduction

Welcome back nude followers, today we are summarizing an episode by Nathalie Niddam, featuring Dr. Greg Kelly, a leading expert in the field of NAD+ and longevity. This episode delves deep into the world of NAD+, its role in cellular energy, resilience, and the importance of timing when supplementing with it.

• Guest Expertise: Dr. Greg Kelly is a naturopathic physician, author, and director of product development at Qualia Life, bringing extensive knowledge on natural medicine and nutrition.
• Episode Focus: The discussion centers around NAD+ therapy, its benefits, and the science behind its precursors like NR and NMN.

The Role of NAD+ in the Body

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a crucial coenzyme involved in various cellular processes.

• Energy Production: NAD+ is essential for converting food into energy by carrying electrons to mitochondria where they are turned into ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
• Redox Roles: NAD+ acts as a redox molecule, toggling between its reduced (NADH) and oxidized (NAD+) forms, which is vital for antioxidant defenses and energy production.
• Aging and Decline: As people age, NAD+ levels decline, leading to reduced metabolic energy, increased fatigue, and compromised cellular resilience.

NAD+ Precursors: NR and NMN

The discussion highlights the importance of NAD+ precursors, particularly NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) and NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide).

• Conversion Pathways: NR and NMN are converted into NAD+ through different pathways. NR can be converted directly to NMN and then to NAD+, while NMN is a more direct precursor to NAD+.
• Effectiveness: Both NR and NMN increase intracellular NAD+ levels, though they may not enter cells intact; instead, they are broken down and reassembled within the body.
• Gut Microbiome: The gut microbiome plays a significant role in converting these precursors, with some organisms capable of converting NR to nicotinic acid, which is then absorbed and increases NAD+ levels.

Benefits of NAD+ Therapy

NAD+ therapy has several benefits, particularly in areas related to aging and cellular health.

• Addiction Recovery: NAD+ therapy can aid in addiction recovery by reducing withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and helping to flush out remaining drugs from the system.
• Metabolic Health: NAD+ therapy supports metabolic function, assists in weight loss, and improves insulin sensitivity, which can help manage conditions like diabetes and fatty liver disease.
• Cognitive Function: It enhances cognitive function by supporting neural plasticity, reducing neuroinflammation, and promoting mental sharpness and clarity.
• Pain Management: NAD+ therapy can help manage chronic pain by reducing inflammation, a key contributor to pain.

NAD+ Infusions and Supplements

The episode discusses the differences between NAD+ infusions and supplements.

• NAD+ Infusions: While NAD+ infusions can increase circulating NAD+ levels, they may not effectively increase intracellular NAD+ levels due to the lack of enzymes to break down the NAD+ molecule outside cells.
• Supplements: Supplements like Qualia NAD+ Plus, which contain NR or NMN, are more effective in increasing intracellular NAD+ levels. These supplements support the enzymes involved in NAD+ synthesis and can be taken at optimal times to align with circadian rhythms.

Circadian Rhythms and Timing

The timing of NAD+ supplementation is crucial for its effectiveness.

• Circadian Peaks: NAD+ levels naturally peak in the early afternoon, suggesting that taking NAD+ precursors in the morning may help align with this natural rhythm.
• Signal to Noise Ratio: The effectiveness of NAD+ supplementation depends on creating a significant change from the baseline levels, similar to how our bodies respond to changes in cortisol levels.

Cellular Stress and Resilience

NAD+ plays a critical role in cellular stress response and resilience.

• Metabolic Stress: Cells use NAD+ to respond to metabolic stress, and having adequate NAD+ precursors helps cells weather stress better.
• DNA Repair and Autophagy: NAD+ is involved in DNA repair mechanisms and autophagy, which recycle damaged proteins and organelles, thereby maintaining cellular health.

Key Takeaways

• Energy and Resilience: NAD+ supplementation supports energy production and enhances cellular resilience against stress.
• Timing and Circadian Rhythms: Taking NAD+ precursors in the morning can align with natural circadian peaks, enhancing their effectiveness.
• Gut Microbiome: The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in converting NAD+ precursors, highlighting the importance of a balanced gut ecosystem.
• Supplementation vs. Infusions: Supplements like NR and NMN are generally more effective than NAD+ infusions in increasing intracellular NAD+ levels.