{"id":3613,"date":"2026-03-26T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/?p=3613"},"modified":"2026-03-26T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T06:00:00","slug":"whats-the-hype-with-nad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/?p=3613","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Hype With NAD+?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Experts unpack the science behind the latest wellness supplement promising a longer, healthier life.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"what<\/div>\n

From IV drips in private clinics to capsules lining the shelves of high-end wellness retailers, the molecule has been positioned as a shortcut to more energy, sharper focus, and longer-term resilience.<\/p>\n

But beneath the sleek branding and premium price tags lies a more complex reality. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is not a new discovery; it is a naturally occurring coenzyme found in every cell of the body. What is<\/em> new is the growing conversation around how NAD+ levels decline with age, and what that might mean for those navigating everything from midlife fatigue to age-related physiological changes.<\/p>\n

Search interest in NAD+ supplements and therapies has surged in recent years, alongside the broader rise of the longevity industry, now estimated to be worth more than $25bn globally<\/a> and growing rapidly. Yet while early research is promising, experts caution that the science is still evolving, and the market may be moving faster than the evidence.<\/p>\n

To separate fact from fiction, we spoke to leading voices in the field to unpack what NAD+ actually does, who it might benefit, and whether the hype is justified.<\/p>\n

What is NAD+?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"what
\u00a9Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cNAD+ is a coenzyme found in every cell,\u201d explains Iain De Havilland, founder and global CEO of the NADclinic Group<\/a>. At a cellular level, it plays a critical role in mitochondrial function \u2013 the process by which cells convert nutrients into usable energy.<\/p>\n

Beyond energy metabolism, NAD+ is involved in DNA repair and cellular signaling pathways that help regulate how the body responds to stress and aging. \u201cIt is not a single anti-ageing solution,\u201d De Havilland adds, \u201cbut it is a fundamental part of the biology that underpins how we age.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor<\/a>, echoes this: \u201cSimply put, it helps cells turn food into energy and supports essential processes like DNA repair, normal cell communication, and overall cellular health.\u201d<\/p>\n

See also: Why Roughage Became the Quiet Luxury of Nutrition<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The growing interest in NAD+ stems largely from one key observation: levels naturally decline as we get older. This reduction has been associated with decreased energy production, impaired cellular repair, and broader metabolic changes \u2013 factors often linked to ageing.<\/p>\n

As a result, researchers have begun exploring whether boosting NAD+ levels could help maintain health span. This has led to a proliferation of products and treatments, from oral supplements such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) to more intensive intravenous infusions offered in clinical settings.<\/p>\n

Who is NAD+ best for?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"nad+\"
\u00a9Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite the buzz, there is no clear-cut demographic that should be taking NAD+. \u201cThere is no universal answer,\u201d says De Havilland. \u201cNAD+ support is typically considered in the context of metabolic health, fatigue, aging or performance optimization, but it should not be approached as a one-size-fits-all solution.\u201d<\/p>\n

From a clinical perspective, however, the bar for routine use remains high. \u201cIn routine practice, there isn\u2019t a specific \u2018perfect\u2019 candidate for NAD+ supplements,\u201d says Dr Wylie. \u201cMost healthy adults get enough from diet and lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

See also: How To Train Your Brain For Optimal Longevity<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Dr Wylie emphasizes that the most reliable ways to support NAD+ levels \u2013 and overall health \u2013 remain foundational: regular exercise, quality sleep, balanced nutrition, and effective stress management.<\/p>\n

For those who do choose to supplement, oral forms such as NR and NMN have the most safety data and are generally well tolerated. However, expectations should be tempered. \u201cSome people report subtle improvements in energy, mental clarity, or exercise tolerance,\u201d she notes, \u201cbut effects are often gradual and may not be noticeable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Are there any risks with taking NAD+?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"nad+
\u00a9Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While NAD+ itself is essential to human biology, actively boosting its levels \u2013 particularly through high-dose or intravenous methods — raises important questions. \u201cThis remains an evolving area of science,\u201d says De Havilland. \u201cThe long-term effects of actively boosting levels in humans are not yet fully understood.\u201d One of the main concerns is the gap between commercial claims and clinical evidence. \u201cThe market has moved faster than the science,\u201d he says, pointing to supplements that promise sweeping benefits without robust validation.<\/p>\n

Dr Wylie also highlights the difference between delivery methods. Oral supplements tend to have mild side effects, such as nausea, bloating, headaches or flushing, while intravenous treatments carry more significant risks, including vein irritation, infection, and adverse reactions during infusion.<\/p>\n

Crucially, there is little evidence to suggest that IV therapy is more effective than oral supplementation, despite its growing popularity in high-end wellness clinics. \u201cNAD+ is not a miracle anti-aging solution,\u201d Dr Wylie says. Much of the strongest evidence so far comes from animal studies or small early-stage human trials, meaning claims around reversing aging or dramatically extending lifespan remain unproven.<\/p>\n

For now, experts agree that NAD+ should be viewed as a promising, but still experimental, piece of the longevity puzzle. As the science evolves, one thing remains clear: no supplement replaces the fundamentals. Even in the most advanced wellness circles, the basics still do the heavy lifting.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Experts unpack the science behind the latest wellness supplement promising a longer, healthier life.\u00a0 From IV drips in private clinics to capsules lining the shelves of high-end wellness retailers, the molecule has been positioned as a shortcut to more energy, sharper focus, and longer-term resilience. But beneath the sleek branding and premium price tags lies […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"","beyondwords_project_id":"","beyondwords_content_id":"","beyondwords_preview_token":"","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3613","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3613","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3613"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3613\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3613"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3613"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}