As our beloved NHS continues to wobble, anyone with an ounce of sense has turned their attention to preventative healthcare. Time to get intimately acquainted with NAD, then.
It’s a trending ingredient in longevity science and has been lauded as a “can-do” everything molecule. More formally known as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD is essentially a bioactive form of vitamin B3 and an essential coenzyme found in every single cell of the human body.
NAD is increasingly being studied for its role in supporting healthy ageing and extending life spans. “NAD metabolism is fundamentally involved in mitochondrial function, cellular repair, oxidative stress regulation and metabolic signalling,” explains Jana Buzkova, NAD scientist and co-founder of Finnish biotech company NADMED, which has developed an innovative blood test.
A question of supply and demand
Supplements might seem like the easiest shortcut for a NAD boost, but popping a pill without insider knowledge might not always be the most effective way to top up levels. This is because the way each body converts the ingredient into active NAD in tissues can significantly vary.
While the body produces NAD naturally, levels are thought to be influenced by a range of lifestyle and environmental factors. Poor diet, stress and sedentary living may all tip the balance, and this is where demand begins to outstrip supply.
Studies also suggest levels of NAD decline as you get older. The research shows this dip can negatively impact mitochondrial function, DNA repair and the activity of longevity-associated proteins known as sirtuins. In response, attention has shifted towards strategies to support NAD levels, with diagnostic testing emerging as a new frontier. The research highlights that identifying the NAD markers linked to energy metabolism, oxidative stress and overall cellular function has the potential to support healthy ageing.
NADMED is among the players leading this space, partnering with UK longevity clinic Altheome to launch consumer NAD testing designed to reveal how NAD-related metabolites are functioning within the body. The blood test takes a deep dive into the balance between oxidative stress and the body’s ability to repair damage.
A snapshot of cellular ageing
The NADMED test claims to be the NAD test that meets the EU’s safety requirements available in the UK, and, with a £199 price tag, the test brings laboratory-grade analysis into a consumer setting.
The process is simple: order the test online, book an at-home or clinic-based blood draw, and receive results within 10 working days. What to expect next? A detailed snapshot report of NAD levels, offering personalised insights that may inform supplementation choices, lifestyle adjustments or wellness strategies.
Buzkova cautions that results should be interpreted carefully. “If low NAD levels are detected, the results should be assessed by a healthcare professional alongside other biomarkers, symptoms and medical history.” The bottom line is this: while the test doesn’t diagnose disease, NAD testing offers an intriguing window into your biological ageing. It’s not a crystal ball for longevity, but another crucial piece in the puzzle.
Shop the best NAD supplements now:
Charava NAD+ 500mg
Best for a quick boost
Sometimes you just want to cut to the chase when it comes to getting the good stuff. Charava’s NAD+ 500mg offers exactly that: a quick-fire boost to the body that offers maximum absorption and bioavailability in a single pill. Stronger than most NAD+ pills around, these quick and simple supplements offer all of the good stuff with none of the filler.
Buy now £65.00, Amazon
TRU NIAGEN NAD+ supplement
Best for cellular health
TRU NIAGEN’s NAD+ Supplement contains the patented flagship supernutrient Niagen, a unique form of vitamin B3 that your cells can readily convert into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Promoting cellular health by enhancing the production of NAD+ in the body, these supplements help in maintaining energy levels, promoting DNA repair and combating oxidative stress.
One of the most popular brands around when it comes to NAD+ supplements, these tried-and-tested capsules should be taken once or twice per day, and so will give you a three-month supply.
Buy now £124.00, Amazon
Proactive healthcare life extension NAD+ cell regenerator
Best for daily energy
You’ll feel like you’re being super proactive with your health when you try Proactive healthcare’s life extension NAD+ cell regenerator. While ‘life-extending’ might be quite the claim, these supplements feature a patented compound which plays a role in reversing age-related decline of NAD+ levels. As you age and energy levels begin to deplete, increasing your NAD+ levels can play a role in bringing back some of that lost energy and motivation. This budget-friendly bottle features 100 mg NIAGEN® Nicotinamide Riboside and only needs to be taken once per day.
Buy now £27.35, iHerb
Eudeamon NAD plus for mental performance
Best for mental clarity
Eudeamon’s NAD plus for mental performance supplements are vegetarian-friendly and focus on boosting not just your physical health but also alleviating your mental fatigue. These potent NAD tablets contain 37.5mg of high-strength BNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, which can be used to improve cognitive performance and mental improvement. Some studies suggest they can also support your metabolism and increase your energy.
Buy now £29.95, Amazon
NAD+ at home
Best celebrity-approved NAD supplements
Every cell has NAD – that’s how important it is. NAD+ At Home allows you to maximise the many benefits that include a boost in energy levels, your immune system, mental clarity and brain function, while also protecting your organs and taking your workouts up a few notches. The brand already has the seal of approval from Lisa Snowdon, makeup artist Isamaya French and Mary Greenwell who praise how it assists them in their fast-paced lifestyles.
The process of administering these supplements is very different to the other oral options in this list. The injectable kit comes with a vial of the key ingredient alongside micro needles in which you are encouraged to inject it into a fatty tissue area over three consecutive days as you begin and then every other day. The bumper pack also includes a pouch to store the used needles and sterile wipes. It comes as a five-week supply that you must store in the fridge.
Buy now £350.00, Nadplusathome.com
