HEALTHY AGING & THE IMPORTANCE OF NAD+

Scientists have discovered that as we get older, our NAD+ levels steadily decrease, and by the time we get to our late 70s and 80s, our NAD+ levels appear to be very much lower, than those of younger people. Polyphenols like Resveratrol which help to support the NAD+ pool, used in combination with NAD+ precursors is quickly emerging as a popular strategy to promote healthy aging or healthspan.

Why is Resveratrol so important to NAD+?

Resveratrol is a Sirtuin Activator and an NAD+ Booster. It is the most powerful naturally occurring STAC, compounds that can directly activate our longevity genes known as SIRTUINS. Sirtuins are gene silencers that turn genes on or off like switches. This ensures that only the right switches are turned on, keeping cells healthy and working properly. These are just a tiny fraction of the many positive benefits that scientists have discovered so far but perhaps one of the most overlooked findings about Resveratrol is its ability to allosterically modify the NMNAT enzyme. This is important because all cells need this enzyme in order to create and recycle the very important NAD+ molecule. Resveratrol speeds up this process making it more efficient. This makes resveratrol a dual-action anti-aging powerhouse, because it can activate sirtuins and boost NAD+ levels at the same time. Combining Resveratrol with an NAD+ precursor makes for the perfect anti-aging combo!

Is there a link between falling NAD+ levels & aging?

Well, the science is starting to clearly show a definite correlation between falling NAD levels and an age-related decline in health & wellness. In 2013 Harvard researchers published a study, where they were able to actually reverse some parts of aging by treating old mice with NMN (an NAD+ precursor). After treating the mice for ten days, key biometric markers that were measured resembled those of much younger mice. For the first time, we have real evidence that some aspects of aging may be reversible. In 2017 the same research team published a follow-up article. It demonstrated a new understanding of how NAD+ is not only used to repair damaged DNA but how it also stimulates the repair process. It does this by blocking another protein called DBC1 that interferes with the PARP-1 DNA Repair enzyme. This is a key finding because an accumulation of DNA damage has long been understood as a part of the aging process.

NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a molecule found in all living cells and is essential for life. It exists in two forms, NAD+ the oxidized form and NADH the reduced form. NAD is responsible for many critical cell functions, such as energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, calcium hemostasis, and gene expression.

What is Resveratrol? Resveratrol is a polyphenol produced by plants as a protection mechanism in response to stresses such as sun radiation damage or a fungal attack. Remarkably, by consuming Resveratrol we can also gain many health-promoting benefits, such as:

• Cardiovascular support
• Brain health
• Immune Functionality
• Healthy metabolism
• Support NAD levels

Also Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory properties that also help to support NAD+ levels. It targets cytokine induced expression of the greatest NAD+ destroyer, the ectoenzyme called CD38. Resveratrol promotes healthy brain and cognitive function by supporting the integrity of the blood-brain-barrier. The blood-brain-barrier weakens with age and this allows some damaging proteins to enter the brain. A 2017 study showed that Resveratrol significantly slows this process. Resveratrol has the rare ability to cross the blood-brain-barrier and deliver its anti-aging antioxidant benefits. The research and understanding into NAD+ metabolomics continues, but what the science has clearly highlighted thus far, is the importance of supporting and maintaining our NAD+ levels. Resveratrol can help to reduce the expression of NAD+ consumer CD38, boost NAD+ levels and directly activate Sirtuins.

What is Mitochondria? The Mitochondrion (plural mitochondria) is regularly called the powerhouse of the cell. This is because most of the chemical energy needed to sustain life is produced inside the mitochondria by a process called oxidative phosphorylation that produces ATP. The mitochondria are NAD dependent for functional mechanics and for coordination with the cell Nucleus. Without the NADH to NAD+ cycle, cells cannot produce energy, and as the NAD pool declines with age, so does our energy levels.