BENEFITS of FOY & NAD+ BOOSTERS

BENEFITS

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) biology has garnered much attention over the past few years. A decrease in NAD+ abundance has been linked to many age-related diseases and is associated with changes in metabolism that alter cellular function1 . Activation of macrophages is accompanied by distinct metabolic changes that are necessary to drive their pro-inflammatory state2 . Therefore, many strategies for boosting NAD+ levels have piqued interest as a means by which to diminish inflammation and pathologies incurred during normal aging3. Minhas et al.4 and Cameron et al.5 have now demonstrated the necessity of de novo NAD+ synthesis in macrophage-driven inflammation during aging, as well as the importance of the NAD+ salvage pathway for the maintenance of the pro-inflammatory state.

SUPPLEMENTS ADDICTION RECOVERY

Recovery from addiction is a physically and psychologically brutal process, partly because drug and alcohol abuse has been shown to deplete NAD+ levels. Inadequate amounts of NAD+ make it harder to convert energy broken down from food. There has even been speculation that people who naturally produce less NAD+ may be more likely to develop substance abuse disorders.

Although NAD+ Therapy is by no means a cure for addiction, it can assist with a number of the processes involved in addiction recovery. It can help flush remaining drugs from the system, mitigate the painful effects of withdrawals, and reduce cravings for alcohol and drugs. NAD+ Therapy can even help the body produce more energy naturally, but without the negative side effects of substances like caffeine or sugar.

If you’re interested in exploring NAD+ Therapy as part of a holistic addiction recovery program, talk with your doctor. It can be a useful addition to a complete program of recovery.

IMPROVES COGNITIVE FUNCTION

As we get older, our cognitive function declines. Memory loss, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating are all symptoms of age-related cognitive degeneration. Insufficient levels of NAD+ can exacerbate these issues, since your body relies on mitochondria and NAD+ to convert glucose into metabolic energy, thus supplying energy to your brain cells. When you don’t have enough NAD+, your brain is unable to convert sufficient amounts of glucose into energy, which leaves your brain cells’ supply of cellular energy depleted.

NAD+ supplements are one way to stimulate neural plasticity, reduce neuroinflammation, and promote mental sharpness. Patients often report improved mental clarity, memory, and ability to focus.

PROTECT COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND MEMORY

Clinical trials and animal studies suggest that NAD helps improve memory and learning (Johnson, 2018). Research shows that NAD plays a role in gene expression (which genes are turned on or off), DNA repair, and repairing cells (Mehmel, 2020).

DNA damage and changes in cellular function increase your risk for neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. Studies show that increasing NAD levels can help protect against the damage that can lead to these conditions and may slow down their progression (Johnson, 2018).

IMPROVE MOOD

NAD+ has been shown to boost serotonin, the “feel-good” chemical within the brain. Obtaining NAD+ treatment can boost a deficiency in serotonin, which may positively influence the side effects of depression and anxiety.

ASSIST IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

The NAD+ coenzyme is essential to the body’s metabolic processes. As we age, our metabolism slows down, which can cause excessive weight gain. NAD+ helps the body to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP)¹, an energy-carrying molecule that converts chemical energy from food molecules into fuel for other bodily functions.

When used in tandem with a regimen of diet and exercise, NAD+ Therapy can help patients maintain a healthy weight by stimulating ATP production. The more ATP your body produces, the more efficiently your metabolism functions.

BOOST ENERGY

Not only does ATP convert food molecules into usable energy and deliver that fuel to other cells, it also boosts your energy levels in the process. Because of NAD+’s essential role in the production of ATP, NAD+ Therapy can increase energy levels, reduce fatigue, and combat exhaustion. Feeling depleted after a long transatlantic flight? NAD+ Injections are a great way to reduce the side effects of jet lag.

INCREASED ENERGY LEVELS

As discussed above, NAD is essential for mitochondrial function and energy production, specifically for producing ATP (Mehmel, 2020). So, taking a NAD supplement may have a positive impact on energy levels.

AID IN MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT AND RECOVERY

NAD+ Therapy can help boost energy levels and improve reaction times, which are essential for peak athletic performance. Supplementing NAD+ as part of a wellness or exercise routine may help develop muscles during workouts, as well as assist in muscle recovery and repair post-workout.

SUPPORT PAIN MANAGEMENT

One of the more popular uses for NAD+ Therapy is in the assistance of managing pain. NAD+ has been shown to reduce inflammation, which is a key contributor to the experience of pain. Best of all, NAD+ Therapy is a non-addictive pain management solution, making it a great option for those who want to avoid the dangers of opioids.

BETTER SLEEP

There was no statistically significant interaction in sleep quality as assessed by the PSQI. However, there were significant main effects (p < 0.01) of time in sleep duration, sleep disturbance score, daytime dysfunction score, sleep quality score, and total PSQI global score. In addition, the effect sizes of sleep latency (d = 0.56), daytime dysfunction score (d = 0.72), sleep quality score (d = 0.80), and total PSQI global score (d = 0.68) in the NMN_PM group were the largest among the four groups (Table 2)

SPORTS & REDOX

The important function of NAD+ during sports activity is its role as a hydrogen/electron transfer molecule for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle cells [116]. Additionally, sports activity increases the NAD+ amount also at the systemic level [117] that results in health benefits at the organismal level due to the NAD+ role in multiple and diverse cellular processes, in addition to redox reactions, such as deacetylation and ADP-ribosylation [116]. During intense sports activity, ATP is consumed; thus, the need for NADH as the electron donor increases, which in the end results in the boosted formation of oxidized NAD+ and decreased NADH, i.e., an improved NAD+/NADH ratio. The total amount of NAD+ is not significantly changed during the redox reaction; however, the NAD+/NADH (and NADP to NADPH) ratio is changed in favor of NAD+ [61], which activates sirtuins, PARPs, CD38, and other NAD+-consuming reactions. Since NAD+-consuming enzymes intervene in many crucial cellular processes, many healthy processes at the organismal level are enhanced by the implementation of exercise and sports activity.

MIMIC INTERMITTENT FASTING

Caloric Restriction initially induces a fasting-like response. In this study, we investigated how SIRT1 and PPARalpha correlate in the fasting-induced anti-aging pathways. A 24-hour fasting in mice increased mRNA and protein expression of both SIRT1 and PPARalpha in the livers, where the NAD(+) levels increased with increasing nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) activity in the NAD(+) salvage pathway. Treatment of Hepa1-6 cells in low glucose medium conditions with NAD(+) or NADH showed that the mRNA expression of both SIRT1 and PPARalpha can be enhanced by the addition of NAD(+), and decreased by increasing NADH levels. The cell experiments using SIRT1 antagonists and a PPARalpha agonist suggested that PPARalpha is a key molecule located upstream from SIRT1, and has a role in regulating SIRT1 gene expression in fasting-induced anti-aging pathways.

SLOW AGING PROCESS

One of the biggest claims of these supplements is anti-aging and life-extending benefits. Some research suggests NAD+ levels decrease as part of the aging process, and increasing those levels through supplements may reverse some of the signs of aging (Mehmel, 2020).

These effects have led some people to claim the supplement acts as a “fountain of youth” since it may reverse aging on the cellular level. While we don’t have enough evidence that any supplement can have quite that effect, NAD shows some promise.

NAD is believed to play an essential role in rebuilding and protecting against DNA damage. Its effects on DNA may be why NAD supplements may help maintain a higher quality of life and potentially increase one’s healthy lifespan (Mehmel, 2020)

REDUCED FATIGUE

In this study, despite the non-significant change in grip strength, NMN intake in the afternoon was effective in improving drowsiness among several factors of subjective fatigue. Chronic fatigue is more likely to occur among older adults because of their poor ability to recover from fatigue; moreover, older adults are the majority to complain about fatigue induced by aging and diseases. Therefore, it can be inferred that improving fatigue through NMN supplementation could be meaningful for older adults.

REDUCED CRAVINGS

Food addiction has been associated with obesity, a global complex health problem that is dependent on multidisciplinary treatment and various health practitioners including experts in mental health, medicine, and surgery [1]. Obesity has been associated with addictive behavior that has a profound effect on morbidity and mortality leading to a reduction in the overall quality of life. The World Health Organization estimates that by the year 2030, over 57.8% of the world’s population will be obese. Obesity represents the second cause of death in the United States alone, affecting nearly 35 million people alone. Obesity has a negative effect on metabolic and endocrine processes that can lead to multiple organ disorders, malignant diseases such as cancers, mechanical impairments, surgical complications, and psychosocial deficits [8,9,10,11]. Obesity is also associated with genetic predisposition, impaired hormonal and metabolic processes, as well as confounding psychological and lifestyle factors [12,13,14,15]. This suggests that obesity is not a single disease, but rather a manifestation of several pathological, physiological, and psychological processes leading to endocrine-metabolic dysfunction.

Substantial research into the pathobiology and mechanisms of addiction, and addiction therapy are yet to yield effective responses. The most successful addiction programs demonstrate a relapse-response rate of 56% in subjects [16,17,18,19,20]. Given the importance of improving the prevention and successful treatment of addiction, there is a growing need to investigate new factors that may be associated with addictive behavior. Various experimental approaches suggest that replenishment or augmentation of cellular levels of the essential pyridine nucleotide, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) can provide ameliorative benefits and significantly lower relapse in addiction.

BETTER BLOOD FLOW

In the context of vascular disease, NAD+ metabolism is increasingly recognized as an attractive actionable target. Replenishment of NAD+ in vascular cells—either by the stimulation of NAD+ synthesis or the inhibition of its degradation—protects against age-related arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction [8] and improves conditions characterized by abnormal blood flow, such as ischemia/reperfusion injury [12]. This is particularly important as these vascular pathologies often co-exist.

LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular conditions like heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and atherosclerosis. Research suggests that maintaining healthy NAD levels may help protect the health of the cardiovascular system and lower blood pressure levels. Potential heart-healthy benefits of NAD+ boosters include (Mehmel, 2020):

  1. Reducing stiffness in blood vessels and arteries
  2. Reducing inflammation
  3. Protecting blood vessels from damage.

Research suggests NR supplements help lower systolic blood pressure and reduce stiffness in the aorta, the main artery leaving the heart (Mehmel, 2020).

REDUCED CHOLESTEROL

Cholesterol is a type of lipid that can be consumed in food and is produced by the body. Cholesterol does have many benefits for the body, but too much can increase the risk of heart problems. Researchers are finding that changes in a group of proteins called sirtuins may impact how your body metabolizes lipids. The studies suggest that NAD+ levels influence the activity of sirtuins. Therefore, taking NR or NMN supplements may help lower cholesterol levels and improve liver health (Mehmel, 2020).

REDUCE CANCER RISK

A lack of NAD interferes with DNA and cell repair, which may increase the risk of cancer-causing errors to occur. For example, in animal studies, an NAD+ deficiency increased the sensitivity to UV rays and impaired the ability to heal skin cells after sun damage, increasing the risk of skin cancer (Fania, 2019).

SOURCES

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/refueling-your-energy-levels de Guia, R. M., Agerholm, M., Nielsen, T. S., Consitt, L. A., Søgaard, D., Helge, J. W., et al. (2019). Aerobic and resistance exercise training reverses age-dependent decline in NAD+ salvage capacity in human skeletal muscle. Physiological Reports, 7(12), e14139. doi: 10.14814/phy2.14139.
Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6577427/

Dellinger, R. W., Santos, S. R., Morris, M., Evans, M., Alminana, D., Guarente, L., et al. (2017). Repeat dose NRPT (nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene) increases NAD+ levels in humans safely and sustainably: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. NPJ Aging And Mechanisms Of Disease, 3, 17. doi: 10.1038/s41514-017-0016-9.
Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5701244/

Fania, L., Mazzanti, C., Campione, E., Candi, E., Abeni, D., & Dellambra, E. (2019). Role of nicotinamide in genomic stability and skin cancer chemoprevention. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, 20(23), 5946. doi: 10.3390/ijms20235946.
Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6929077/

Johnson, S. & Imai, S. I. (2018). NAD + biosynthesis, aging, and disease. F1000Research, 7, 132. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.12120.1.
Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5795269/

Mehmel, M., Jovanović, N., & Spitz, U. (2020). Nicotinamide riboside-the current state of research and therapeutic uses. Nutrients, 12(6), 1616. doi: 10.3390/nu12061616.
Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352172/

Poljsak, B., Kovač, V., & Milisav, I. (2020). Healthy lifestyle recommendations: do the beneficial effects originate from NAD+ amount at the cellular level?. Oxidative Medicine And Cellular Longevity, 8819627. doi: 10.1155/2020/8819627.
Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7752291/

Ung, TPL., Lim, S., Solinas, X. Mahou, P, Chessel, A, Marionnet, C, et al. (2021). Simultaneous NAD(P)H and FAD fluorescence lifetime microscopy of long UVA–induced metabolic stress in reconstructed human skin. Scientific Reports, 11, 22171. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-00126-8. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-00126-8