Fountain of youth: Longevity experts explain the secret to slowing aging

The search for the fountain of youth has taken a fascinating turn with the spotlight on a little-known molecule called NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). Recent studies suggest that this tiny but vital coenzyme could hold the key to maintaining cellular energy, DNA repair, and metabolic resilience—the building blocks of healthy aging.

According to Şebnem Ünlüişler, Chief Longevity Officer and genetic engineer at the London Regenerative Institute, NAD+ is central to mitochondrial function, stress response regulation, and sirtuin and PARP protein pathways, which together influence inflammation, DNA repair, and immune system balance. In short, healthy NAD+ levels are essential for keeping our cells—and potentially our bodies—young and resilient.

NAD+ and aging: Why it matters

Studies, including a December 2024 publication in Nature Metabolism, show that NAD+ levels decline naturally with age, triggering reduced mitochondrial function, increased cellular stress, and genomic instability—all hallmarks of biological aging. This decline has raised global interest in whether replenishing NAD+ could help slow the aging process.

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Can we get NAD from food?

Unfortunately, NAD+ itself isn’t absorbed directly from the diet. Instead, the body produces it from precursors like tryptophan and vitamin B3 forms such as niacin, nicotinamide, and nicotinamide riboside (NR). Aging, metabolic stress, and inflammation can reduce NAD+ availability, making supplementation a potential strategy to support cellular health.

NAD+ supplements: What the evidence says

Dietary supplements containing NR or NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) have been shown to increase NAD+ levels in humans, while intravenous NAD+ is sometimes used clinically. However, Ünlüişler cautions:

“There is no definitive evidence that NAD+ supplementation slows aging or extends lifespan in humans. It should be considered a metabolic support strategy within a broader longevity framework, not a miracle cure.”

In other words, NAD+ supplements may help support mitochondrial energy, metabolic resilience, and cellular repair, but they are just one piece of the anti-aging puzzle. For optimal longevity, experts recommend combining supplementation with nutrition, exercise, stress management, and other evidence-based lifestyle strategies.

The search for longevity continues, but NAD+ has emerged as a scientifically promising molecule that could reshape our understanding of how cells age and how we might intervene to maintain vitality longer.

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