Are NAD Plus Supplements the Secret to Anti-Aging? Here’s What Doctors Think

NAD plus supplements are gaining attention on social media thanks to a claim that they can help to "reverse" the aging process. NAD plus is a compound that naturally exists in your body and is responsible for keeping your skin looking youthful. However, its levels decrease as you age, so it stands to reason that a supplement could help increase those levels. Many people have taken to Reddit and social media to inquire about the potential skin care effects of this supplement, particularly for more mature skin. But will taking a NAD plus supplement actually make a difference in your skin and overall health? No anti-aging method is foolproof, which is why we consulted doctors and experts to understand what exactly NAD plus is, how supplements can help the body's aging process and whether these supplements are safe. What is NAD plus and what does it do in the body? NAD plus -- nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide -- is a coenzyme found in all living cells that keeps "everything running smoothly," explains Dr. Konstantin Vasyukevich , a New York-based facial plastic surgeon who often discusses aging with patients. It "creates energy and repairs DNA" and also regulates your circadian rhythm. "It is also involved in the function of sirtuins, proteins that help regulate cell survival and aging processes," said Nayan Patel, a doctor of pharmacy and founder of Auro Wellness . The coenzyme slightly differs from NADH, which you may also see while looking for NAD plus supplements. NAD plus is oxidized, while NADH is reduced, which basically means NAD plus has an extra electron and when it loses it, it becomes NADH. Is NAD just vitamin B3? NAD plus is naturally found in the body, but as you age, its levels drop, which can lead to tiredness and skin aging, Vasyukevich says. An NAD plus supplement can help combat this, as can a vitamin B3 supplement. Although vitamin B3 is not the same as NAD plus, your body converts vitamin B3 into NAD plus, so these extra supplements can also help your NAD plus levels. NAD plus benefits The primary benefit of NAD plus, and, in turn, an NAD plus supplement, is that it's an energy booster. Studies -- including this one from 2023 -- have shown that the coenzyme helps with weight management and balances metabolism, as pointed out by Vasyukevich. "[NAD plus] can do a few cool things," he says. "It can help with skin health by promoting DNA repair and fighting oxidative stress, which is a big reason skin ages. It can also give you more energy by helping your cells make more [adenosine triphosphate or ATP] -- that's the energy your body runs on." Daniel Llao Calvet/Getty Images NAD plus side effects Dr. Jonathan Jennings , a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to Lab Finder , tells CNET that NAD plus supplements are mostly viewed as safe -- but as with any change to your health-care routine, you always want to approach...

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