Written by Tyler DiGiovanni | BSBM
Fact checked by Robert Iafelice, MS, RD, LDN
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For hundreds of years, people have been searching for the fountain of youth. While the fountain hasn't been found yet, there is some promising research on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).
In 2018, the World Health Organization added aging to its list of diseases, which opened a lot of possibilities for research on how to help slow or even reverse the aging process. One of the stars of this research has been Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).
People have started turning to this supplement as a way to help in a healthier aging process, keeping a higher quality of life for longer.
NAD+ is surging in popularity, and for a good reason. Below we cover the 6 best NAD+ supplements out there to help you find the best option for you and get you on the path of healthy aging.
6 BEST NAD SUPPLEMENTS
- Overall Best: Tru Niagen®
- Runner Up: HPN NAD3
- Budget Pick: Genex NAD+
- NMN Supplement: Wonderfeel Youngr NMN
- NR Supplement: Thorne Niacel
- Liposomal Form: Orgabay NAD+
SFS Pick
Tru Niagen
#2nd Pick
HPN NAD3
Budget Pick
Genex NAD+
1. Overall Best NAD+ Supplement: Tru Niagen®
Tru Niagen® has been one of the top brand names in the healthy aging field in the past five years, with its parent company ChromaDex being founded over twenty years ago.
Using Niagen, the patented form of nicotinamide riboside (NR), Tru Niagen® supports the 37.2 trillion cells in your body by raising the amount of NAD+ levels in your body, leading to cellular energy production.
This product is backed by more than thirty owned and licensed patents, more than 200 published scientific studies, and 2 Nobel Prize winners.
The effectiveness will vary from person to person as well as how long it takes for effects to start becoming noticeable. Tru Niagen® has been clinically proven to boost NAD+ levels by 40%-50% in just eight weeks of daily use.
The key ingredient Niagen has also been shown to increase NAD+ levels more efficiently than nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), nicotinamide/Niacinamide, and niacin. Largely due to a chemical structure that leads to better absorption.
Every batch is made in the United States and goes through a total of twenty-two tests comprised of internal and 3rd party testing to ensure potency and safety.
Pros
- Highly absorbable form of NAD+
- Rigorously tested internally and by 3rd parties
- Subscriptions available that can save a good amount of money over time
Cons
- Some users have reported heart palpitations after starting the product
Discover the benefits of cellular energy, defense, repair, and vitality. Multi-award-winning supplement Tru Niagen® 300mg nourishes your cells with a single, daily capsule...
2. Runner Up Best NAD+ Supplement: HPN NAD3
Coming in at a close second place is NAD3 by High-Performance Nutrition. NAD3 tries to maximize potential health benefits by adding in an NLRP3 suppressant, which is a protein that is associated with creating inflammation.
In addition to reduced inflammation, NAD3 also claims it can increase mitochondrial capacity up to 50%, activate localized mitochondrial sirtuins, increase the NRF-2 protein for higher antioxidant absorption, and the Theacrine part of the formula increases NAD+ levels and can affect biomarkers having to do with sirtuin activity.
The HPN NAD+ boosters in NAD3 come from their 312mg patent-pending blend of Wasabia japonica (rhizome), Theacrine, and Copper Nicotinic Acid.
HPN claims that by taking this product, you can boost energy levels, experience anti-aging effects, reduce inflammation, and promote cellular health, which is why they have nicknamed it the Fountain of Youth.
NAD3 is independently tested by both NSF and BSCG and complies with NSF cGMP-certified manufacturing, ensuring quality in every bottle.
Pros
- Inflammation reduction
- 3rd Party tested
- Proven ingredients
Cons
- Proprietary blend
- Serving size is two capsules
The worlds most effective nad+ booster; the studies are in and the research is very clear, while nicotinamide riboside is effective, it is not the best cell health product on the market. NAD3 has advanced...
3. Best Budget NAD+ Supplement: Genex NAD+
Genex NAD+ is a fantastic alternative for people looking to save a bit of money while experiencing the healthy aging effects of NAD+ supplements.
Using 250mg of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) per two capsules serving in their product, you are getting the potential mental and brain health benefits that NAD+ offers, which can be different than other popular precursors such as NMN supplements. That being said, this version of NAD+ boosting supplements isn't as easily absorbed as other forms.
Genex NAD+ is made in a GMP and NSF-certified facility and comes with a 90-day full refund guarantee if you are not satisfied with their product.
Pros
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- Mental and brain health benefits
- Produced in a GMP and NSF-certified facility
Cons
- Not as easily absorbed as other NAD+ boosters
- Two-capsule serving size
All Genex Formulas products are bottled and tested in the USA GMO Free, Gluten Free. Made in a GMP and NSF certified facility...
4. Best NMN Supplement: Wonderfeel Youngr NMN
Wonderfeel Youngr NMN, as the name suggests, is designed to support longevity. Providing you with a whopping 900 mg of NMN per serving, you also get a variety of other compounds that have been shown to work synergistically with NMN to boost its effects. These include resveratrol, hydroxytyrosol, ergo, and vitamin D3.
The dosages of the ingredients that you get in this supplement has been specially formulated by a Harvard MD for enhanced bioavailability. So, as well as providing a higher dose of NMN than any other brand I came across, it also has greater absorbency so that more of the active ingredient gets into your body's cells.
This supplement is gluten, dairy, soy, and fish-free. That means that it is vegan-friendly, It's also non-GMO, and does not contain any preservatives. A rice hull powder has been added to improve stabilization.
Each container of Wonderfeel Youngr NMN contains 60 capsules. With a daily recommended dosage of two capsules, that's enough for a 30-day supply. The price per container is on the high side, but given the efficacy of the product, we don't have any qualms about recommending it.
Pros
- High NMN dose
- Superior absorbency
- Dosage based on Harvard Medical School research
Cons
- Expensive
Wonderfeel Youngr NMN is a patented solution to aging. Formulated with emergent antioxidants and sirtuin activation, it uses a multi-targeted approach to defend...
5. Best NR Supplement: Thorne Niacel
Thorne Niacel is at the top of our list of the best nicotinamide riboside supplements. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a direct precursor to NAD+ and one of the most studied NAD+ boosters.
Thorne contains a form of NR that is exclusive to their brand of NR supplements. The NR is bound to hydrogen malate salt, which is an important organic acid for Krebs cycle (the main source of cellular energy production), which can help lead to higher energy levels.
Niacel offers 415mg of Nicotinamide riboside hydrogen malate and 85mg of Betaine anhydrous per their one-capsule serving size.
Thorne Niacel's final production is done in a GMP-certified facility and goes through four rounds of in-house testing before being released.
Pros
- NR is the most studied NAD+ precursor
- Exclusive bound NR supports Krebs cycle
- Methyl pool support from Betaine anhydrous
Cons
- No return policy
- 3rd party testing not mentioned
As a direct precursor to NAD+, Nicotinamide Riboside efficiently promotes the body’s production of NAD+, which, in turn, plays an integral role in many body functions, including DNA...
6. Best Liposomal NAD+ Supplement: Orgabay NAD+
Orgabay NAD+ is a high-potency NAD+ booster that uses 500mg of NAD+ and 250mg of Betaine anhydrous (TMG) to boost NAD+ levels for proper cell function.
One bottle is enough for a full 60-day supply for a great price.
This form of NAD+ comes in a liposomal form, meaning that it can protect NAD+ from the erosion of gastric acid and deliver it directly to the intestine wall, making the absorption rate of NAD+ higher than other forms of delivery.
Orgabay does not contain any gluten, is GMO-free, and is free of chemical binders or other agents.
Pros
- Liposomal form for great absorption
- Great combination of NAD+ and TMG
- GMO and Gluten free
Cons
- No mention of 3rd party testing
- No return policy stated
When it comes to NAD+ supplements, liposomal NAD+ offers the HIGHEST Absorbability and Bioavailability compared to other regular NAD supplements. Liposomes can protect NAD+...
What is NAD+?
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, or NAD+, is a coenzyme found in every cell in your body and is part of hundreds of cellular processes throughout your entire system.
NAD+ has a few purposes in the human body, to help turn nutrients into energy as the main factor in metabolism, as well as to work as an assistant molecule for proteins maintaining proper cell function.
NAD+ also helps regulate circadian rhythm for efficient sleep/wake cycles.
As we get older, our natural NAD+ levels drop, leaving our functioning at a fraction of their potential. This means that our metabolism is working at a reduced level which increases age-related issues such as accelerated aging, heart disease, reduction in cognitive function, as well as metabolic disorders.
Benefits of NAD+ Supplements:
There has been more and more research on the positive effects that keeping NAD+ levels up can do for you. Let's look at some of the health benefits associated with NAD+.
1. Enhance Athletic Performance
Athletes have been turning to NAD+ IV supplementation for years due to the effect NAD+ has on improving endurance performance due to reducing oxidative stress during aerobic exercise.1 Also benefitting metabolic stressors, energy levels are going to rise as well as keeping normal body functions which can decline as NAD+ levels drop.
Being able to work out harder for longer is what almost any fitness enthusiast dreams about and can help keep you in better physical shape for longer. Along with improved endurance, athletes also benefit from having great cognitive function to maximize performance.
2. Improve Cognition
Research suggests that NAD+ supplements improve cognitive function and reduce neuroinflammation2, so what does that mean exactly?
Keeping NAD+ levels high can make sure that brain cells are functioning exactly how they should be, which shows promise in being able to combat the effects of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.3 While this isn't a cure-all, there is emerging evidence that pathways lacking in NAD+ might have a lot to do with how Alzheimer's disease (AD) progresses.
One study published has shown that NAD+ has increased synaptic elasticity and improved memory, which is extremely promising in being able to keep cognitive function performing to its full extent even later in life.4
3. Anti-Aging
NAD+ supplementation has been found to help stop age-associated weight gain, raise energy metabolism and energy levels, improve insulin sensitivity, assist with eye function, improve mitochondrial metabolism and stop age-related changes in gene expression.5
Being able to do something about our body's natural decline in NAD+ levels and all the healthy ageing potential health benefits that come along with it seems like an easy decision to make.
Being able to stay active for longer later in life is going to help keep muscle function and muscle health for longer.
NAD+ can also help boost immune systems, keeping immune health up and inflammation down.6
4. Regulates Stress
Lower levels of NAD+ have been found to increase oxidative stress on the body, which can lead to an accelerated aging process as well as chronic inflammation.7 As the body reacts to an infection or injury, free radicals are produced that can damage healthy cells, which ends up causing inflammation which usually will go away on its own after the body repairs the infection or injury. Oxidative stress can cause your body to produce an inflammatory response, which leads to more free radicals, which leads to more oxidative stress, which causes a vicious cycle.
Keeping NAD+ levels may be able to help with DNA repair as well as reduce oxidative stress levels, which in turn is going to help you feel better which can reduce symptoms of anxiety and other forms of mental stressors.8
Side Effects of NAD+
While side effects from an IV NAD+ infusion tend to be more common, most side effects people get when taking NAD+ supplements orally are nausea, headache, and dizziness.
It should be noted that these symptoms usually occurred when taking an extremely high dose of NAD+ precursors (approximately 6g). You should also be aware that at this time there haven't been many human clinical trials that clearly identify the best dosing. You should always speak to your healthcare professional before beginning any new supplementation including NAD+.
What To Look For When Buying NAD+ Supplements:
Not all NAD+ supplements are created equal. While they might make all the usual claims, different precursors are going to work in slightly different ways, some more effective than others.
1. Ingredients
The most common NAD+ supplements will consist of Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), Nicotinamide MonoNucleotide (NMN), or just NAD+.
For a long time, it was thought that NR supplements were the best way to boost NAD+ levels due to some early studies that suggested that NR was a more effective form over other Vitamin B3 derivatives. And while it does boost NAD+ levels, recently, more research has pointed to NMN supplements being more effective. NR actually needs to be converted to NMN before it can again be converted into NAD+.
NMN already holds the advantage of not having to go through an extra step to be converted to NAD+. NMN has also been found to be more bioavailable, being absorbed by the gut in two to three minutes, while NR can take up to three hours to be absorbed. Another important factor is that NMN is more stable than NR, which has a tendency to degrade into vitamin B3, which does not help raise NAD+ levels. NMN has been found to enhance endurance while NR doesn't have the same effect giving another advantage to NMN.
Other supplements are going to be offering a highly purified form of NAD+, which in general is not as well absorbed by the body as NMN is. There have been advancements in that aspect with companies using a liposomal delivery method, so the NAD+ isn't broken down by stomach acid but rather absorbed, giving a better result. There also is some thought that NAD+ supplements give greater mental benefits, while NMN gives increased physical benefits.
Another ingredient to be aware of that you may frequently see in NAD+ supplements is Resveratrol. Some studies have found the combination of NMN and Resveratrol has actually increased NAD+ levels in the heart and skeletal muscles. As stated in one of the product reviews, people have described NMN as the gas in the car and Resveratrolass the gas pedal.
2. Testing
This is one of the most important aspects of buying any ingestible supplement. Before you put something into your body, you should know exactly what is in it. Having clear labeling that does not hide behind proprietary blends is extremely important for knowing the exact dosage of what you are taking.
That is also where 3rd party testing comes into play. A company may say that it has rigorous internal testing, but then you have to take that company at its word, which might not be worth much since its main priority is to make money. Having an independent company testing for purity gives a much higher probability that what is listed on the bottle is what is actually inside of the bottle as well.
Having clear labeling on allergens and GMO ingredients is also extremely important for people who need to be conscientious of those factors. Seeing that the factory where the product is produced is a GMP-certified facility can also give some peace of mind.
3. Price
The cost can be a factor in a few different ways. The most obvious is going to be, can you afford it? For some people, the price will not factor in whether or not they want to pick a certain product. Most other people are going to have to take cost into consideration. This is a daily supplement, and costs can pile up after long-term use.
Buying the most expensive option might seem like a sure thing in terms of quality, but other competitors can offer a comparable product that just may not use a patented version of a dietary ingredient. If both dietary supplements offer the same active NAD+ boosters, then why not save some money?
Now, on the other hand, if the price is super low, you may question the quality of the product you are getting. Touching on the section above, you should make sure 3rd party testing is in effect, especially on NAD+ booster supplements that are priced lower than they probably should be.
4. Reviews
It's important to see what people who have actually taken the supplement for the recommended amount of time are saying about the product. Both good and bad opinions should be looked at, so you can get a good idea rather than just what you want to hear. That being said, remember to take into account that people don't always follow the directions they are supposed to.
Some people will claim that the supplement does not have the anti-aging properties that it is supposed to when they've only taken the supplement for a week and not done the entire eight-week recommended time.
Reviews can also help you get an idea of what a company's customer service is like. If there was an issue with the order, how was it addressed?
NAD+ Supplement FAQ
What is the best form of NAD+?
We recommend the supplement Tru Niagen® at the top of our best NAD+ supplements list. While people do receive intravenous NAD+ therapy due to the perceived better absorption, there are a higher amount of side effects that occur than if taken in capsule form orally.
It should also be noted that while Tru Niagen® is a patented form of NR (which we mentioned earlier is starting to drop out of favor, with NMN becoming preferred), it has been found to be absorbed and put into use more efficiently than NMN.
There is some evidence that suggests that NMN is more efficient at helping to repair muscle function than nicotinamide riboside supplements, but more research needs to be done for definitive results.
Do NAD+ supplements work?
There are more and more studies being published on the positive effects that NAD+ supplementation can have on the human body. So much attention has been being paid to NAD+ supplements due to the potential anti-aging effects, DNA repair, the ability to promote cellular repair, enhanced cell metabolism, a boost to brain cells, and a generally increased sense of well-being.
While NAD+ is not a cure-all, evidence is pointing to raising NAD+ levels can help with an anti-aging process by lowering metabolic stressors, assist with weight management, especially when paired with a healthy diet, and assist the immune stress response.
How can I increase my NAD+ naturally?
There are a few ways to help increase NAD+ without supplementation.
One main way is to exercise. Besides helping your well-being, exercise requires energy which NAD+ provides us with. After the depletion of NAD+, your body will respond by making more.
Keeping exposure to unprotected sunlight at a minimum can help as well. When our skin gets damaged by the sun (sunburn), our body has to use more NAD+ to repair the cellular damage, lowering our NAD+ levels.
Increasing your time in the heat can kickstart NAD+ production. This means spending time in a sauna, heated pool, or hot tub can make your body work a little harder to stay cool, which will get the NAD+ production levels to rise to meet the increased energy demand.
Dietary changes can also boost your NAD+ levels. Switching to a ketogenic diet has been shown to boost NAD+ levels in the brain. Intermittent fasting has also shown an increase in NAD+ along with other hormones and enzymes when a fasted state is entered.
Another way is to keep a steady sleep schedule. Having a consistent circadian rhythm helps regulate the synthesis of NAD+ and NAD+ levels. Not eating at least 3 hours before bed, avoiding blue light sources, and sleeping in darkness can help optimize your circadian rhythm.
How much NAD+ should I take?
That is going to depend on your current status of health as well as your current health requirements. As always, you should consult with a doctor before starting any new supplementation and make sure there are no negative interactions with the medicine currently being taken.
Another factor is the type of precursor being used, such as NMN, NR, or even NAD+ itself.
The supplement you choose will have the recommended dosage on the label, which usually falls between 250-300mg per serving. Always make sure to read the label because this dosage could be a single capsule on one product and more on another.
There are some supplements that do have doses up to 1,200mg per serving, which may seem high, but negative side effects aren't really seen until you get closer to 6,000mg per serving.
SUMMARY
Whether you are later on in life, looking for a way to get some energy back, or just starting to hit an age that your NAD+ levels are dropping, NAD+ supplementation might be a way to keep you full of vitality and operating at a higher level for longer.
The research that is being done now on the potential health benefits NAD+ has for Alzheimer's and chronic inflammation-related diseases is exciting and shows more promise with every study completed. Regardless if you suffer from one of these afflictions, bringing your NAD+ levels up to where they were as a child is only going to make you feel better. A boost in energy production or a reduction in stress is going to increase your quality of life.
We have laid out 6 of the best NAD+ supplements on the market right now for you to choose from. Our favorite option comes from Tru Niagen but you should pick the one that is the best fit for you, and get your body functioning at the highest level possible.
Discover the benefits of cellular energy, defense, repair, and vitality. Multi-award-winning supplement Tru Niagen® 300mg nourishes your cells with a single, daily capsule...
Want more anti aging supplements? Make sure to check out our post that covers the Best NMN Supplements on the market.
References
- Mach, John, et al. “The Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on Fatigue during Exercise: Potential Role for NAD+(H).” Nutrients, vol. 2, no. 3, 10 Mar. 2010, pp. 319–329, 10.3390/nu2030319.
- Zhao, Yao, et al. “NAD+ Improves Cognitive Function and Reduces Neuroinflammation by Ameliorating Mitochondrial Damage and Decreasing ROS Production in Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion Models through Sirt1/PGC-1α Pathway.” Journal of Neuroinflammation, vol. 18, no. 1, 16 Sept. 2021, 10.1186/s12974-021-02250-8. Accessed 16 June 2022.
- Wang, Xinshi, et al. “NAD+ in Alzheimer’s Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Systematic Therapeutic Evidence Obtained in Vivo.” Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, vol. 9, 3 Aug. 2021, 10.3389/fcell.2021.668491. Accessed 8 Dec. 2021.
- Lautrup, Sofie, et al. “NAD+ in Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders.” Cell Metabolism, vol. 30, no. 4, Oct. 2019, pp. 630–655, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550413119305029, 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.09.001.
- Mills, Kathryn F., et al. “Long-Term Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Mitigates Age-Associated Physiological Decline in Mice.” Cell Metabolism, vol. 24, no. 6, Dec. 2016, pp. 795–806, 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.09.013.
- Navas, Lola E., and Amancio Carnero. “NAD + Metabolism, Stemness, the Immune Response, and Cancer.” Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, vol. 6, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2021, pp. 1–20, www.nature.com/articles/s41392-020-00354-w, 10.1038/s41392-020-00354-w.
- “What Is Oxidative Stress? Effects on the Body and How to Reduce.” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, 3 Apr. 2019, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324863#conditions.
- Massudi, Hassina, et al. “NAD+ Metabolism and Oxidative Stress: The Golden Nucleotide on a Crown of Thorns.” Redox Report: Communications in Free Radical Research, vol. 17, no. 1, 2012, pp. 28–46, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22340513/#:~:text=In%20recent%20years, 10.1179/1351000212Y.0000000001. Accessed 17 Feb. 2021.
Tyler DiGiovanni
Author