Torque Science — NAD⁺ & Healthy Aging
Torque Science
NAD⁺ & Healthy Aging—
the Science, Made Clear

NAD⁺ is a molecule in every living cell. It sits at the center of energy production and cell maintenance. Levels naturally decline with age; restoring NAD⁺ is a major focus in longevity research.

How NAD⁺ Works Human Evidence

What NAD⁺ Is & Why It Matters

NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) acts as a coenzyme in hundreds of reactions. Two big jobs: shuttling electrons in metabolism (redox) and fueling enzymes that maintain cell health—such as sirtuins and PARPs. As NAD⁺ dips with age, these processes can become less efficient.

Cellular Energy

NAD⁺ carries electrons in glycolysis and the TCA cycle, enabling ATP generation in mitochondria.

Sirtuins (Epigenetics)

Sirtuin enzymes use NAD⁺ to deacetylate proteins, tuning gene expression, mitochondrial biogenesis, and stress responses.

DNA Repair (PARPs)

PARP enzymes consume NAD⁺ to signal and coordinate DNA repair after routine damage.

NAD⁺ & Aging: The Decline—and What Repletion Means

Human and animal data indicate that tissue NAD⁺ pools trend downward with age. Restoring NAD⁺ experimentally (exercise, caloric restriction, or precursors like NR/NMN) raises NAD⁺ levels and influences pathways discussed in aging biology.

Hallmark Links

NAD⁺ interfaces with mitochondrial function, proteostasis, nutrient sensing, genomic stability, and cellular senescence—concepts often used to frame aging mechanisms.

Raising NAD⁺

Oral nicotinamide riboside (NR) has repeatedly increased whole-blood NAD⁺ within 2–8 weeks in randomized trials. Magnitude varies by dose and population.

What It Doesn’t Claim

“Anti-aging” here refers to cellular mechanisms. This page does not claim disease treatment or guaranteed appearance changes.

Mechanism Map

A bird’s-eye view of how NAD⁺ connects energy, epigenetics, and maintenance.

NAD⁺ mechanism map NAD⁺ Mitochondrial ATP Redox Balance Sirtuins (Epigenetic Control) PARPs (DNA Repair) Fuel for metabolism NAD⁺/NADH cycling NAD⁺-dependent deacetylation NAD⁺ consumed during repair

Raising cellular NAD⁺ (e.g., via nicotinamide riboside, exercise, or caloric restriction) increases substrate availability for these processes. Outcomes depend on dose, tissue, and individual biology.

Key Takeaways

1) NAD⁺ Declines With Age

Studies report lower NAD⁺ or altered NAD⁺/NADH ratios in aged tissues, alongside decreased mitochondrial efficiency and stress-response capacity.

2) Precursors Raise NAD⁺ in Humans

Randomized trials show oral NR increases whole-blood NAD⁺ within weeks. Effects downstream are mixed and context-dependent.

3) “Anti-Aging” Is Mechanistic

NAD⁺ sits at the crossroads of pathways discussed in aging biology. This does not imply disease treatment or guaranteed cosmetic outcomes.

FAQ

Is there proof people look younger?

Appearance changes are often anecdotal. Controlled human trials primarily measure NAD⁺ levels and physiological biomarkers. Visible changes vary by person.

NR vs. NMN?

Both act as NAD⁺ precursors. Several human trials show NR raises NAD⁺ reliably; NMN human data also show NAD⁺ increases. Choose standardized, third-party-tested products.

How fast can NAD⁺ rise?

Human trials report increases within 2–8 weeks of daily precursor dosing, depending on dose, formulation, and baseline status.

Selected References

  • Verdin E. NAD⁺ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. Science, 2015.
  • López-Otín C. et al. The Hallmarks of Aging. Cell, 2013; 2023 updates.
  • Trammell SAJ et al. Nature Communications, 2016 (NR kinetics in humans).
  • Airhart SE et al. PNAS, 2017 (NR raises NAD⁺ in older adults).
  • Martens CR 2018; Conze D 2019; Yoshino J 2018 — human NR studies on NAD⁺ and biomarkers.

Educational content. Claims should match your exact formula, dose, and local regulations.