This is definitely on my list and I’ll tell you why .
The increase in NAD+ acts on such a fundamental level that this is basically helpfull for everything!
From athleticism to looks and chronic diseases .
Here are some examples:
1.Increasing NAD may treat ALS (incurable) :
" …To investigate this, we measured NAD+ levels in mitochondria isolated from iPSC-derived MNs and found 60–80% reduction in NAD+ levels in the mitochondria of sporadic, familial, and isogenic ALS MNs when compared to healthy controls (Fig. 5a). To increase mitochondrial NAD+, 0.5 mM NAM was used, resulting in significantly elevated mitochondrial NAD+ in ALS MNs (Fig. 5a). We found that NAM treatment promoted ALS MN survival (Fig. 5b) and improved basal mitochondrial respiration, ATP production as well as spare respiratory capacity (Fig. 5d, e), reversing ALS phenotypes."
(ALS motor neurons exhibit hallmark metabolic defects that are rescued by SIRT3 activation - PubMed)
2.NAD may treat glaucoma (incurable)
" “…An additional key difference in metabolic profiles between control and glaucoma retinas was a decrease in retinal NAM. NAM levels were lower in D2 retinas compared to controls consistent with decreased retinal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels in this model (7) and decreased serum NAM levels in primary open angle glaucoma patients (23). We have previously demonstrated that NAM confers a robust neuroprotection against damaging IOP insults. NAM supplementation prevents age-dependent decreases in NAD levels, transcriptional reprogramming of RGCs, mitochondrial decline, and RGC neurodegeneration (5, 7, 24, 25).
" In conclusion, these findings are consistent with a model of glaucoma where elevated IOP disrupts energy homeostasis by affecting the availability of metabolic energy substrates . Further affected by low availability of coenzymes, such as NAD+, RGCs ultimately lack the energy needed to function and cope with stress and inflammation associated with age and ocular hypertension. Energy supplementation not only reduces degeneration, but also improves visual function . In this light, decreased visual function prior to degeneration may be an adaptive response to reduce energy consumption and signal a need for energy supplements. Although the combination of decreased NAD and pyruvate represent a critical component of RGC susceptibility in glaucoma, it is directly therapeutically approachable"
(https://www.pnas.org/content/117/52/33619)
3.It may help / treat covid 19
…A new preclinical study found that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) infection of cell lines, infected ferrets, and a deceased patient’s lung dysregulates nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) synthesis and utilization .
We started by looking at the effect of a related coronavirus that infects mice. It disturbs the gene set that controls cellular NAD . Moreover, we showed that within 12 hours of initial infection, the virus greatly depresses levels of NAD, the central catalyst of metabolism.”
Our data says that the innate immune defense against viral infection depends on NAD and that it may be more effective at higher NAD,” says Brenner.
(Preclinical research shows that COVID-19 infection may dysregulate NAD+ synthesis)
4.NAD can reduce liver damage (from alcohol) and increases mitochondrial health:
“Excessive alcohol consumption and binge drinking reduce levels of free nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) critical to cellular health and energy production, resulting in liver and organ damage.”
" Chronic alcohol use and binge drinking can add to these effects by reducing NAD+ levels and contributing to the dysfunction of sirtuins and, ultimately, mitochondria. The review suggests that increasing levels of NAD+ can elevate sirtuin activity to promote beneficial cellular effects, such as the generation of new mitochondria. Along these lines, research has shown that NAD+ boosters like nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) can prevent mitochondrial deterioration."