NAD+: The molecule at the heart of longevity therapies against aging

The cellular wear and tear associated with aging significantly reduces the body's ability to heal and regenerate. This has spurred interest in potential interventions, with NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) emerging as a key molecule in current longevity therapies. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Joe Rogan, Hailey Bieber, and Lindsay Lohan have reportedly incorporated these anti-aging treatments into their routines, seeking to actively combat the effects of time.

However, the scientific community maintains a cautious stance. While there is speculation that these treatments could slow the aging process, available therapies are not regulated, and their effectiveness is largely considered experimental. NAD+ is a naturally occurring molecule in all human cells, vital for cellular energy production and genetic repair. "Various essential proteins for cell maintenance depend on NAD+ to function correctly," explains geneticist Gabriel Ércoli. "These include sirtuins, involved in metabolism regulation, inflammation, stress response, and cellular repair; PARPs, enzymes dedicated to DNA repair from daily damage like radiation, smoking, inflammation, or oxidative stress; and other enzymes like CD38, linked to immune functions and using NAD+ for its biochemical processes."

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Various essential proteins for cell maintenance depend on NAD+ to function correctly. These include sirtuins, involved in metabolism regulation, inflammation, stress response, and cellular repair; PARPs, enzymes dedicated to DNA repair from daily damage like radiation, smoking, inflammation, or oxidative stress; and other enzymes like CD38, linked to immune functions and using NAD+ for its biochemical processes.

It is well-established that NAD+ levels progressively decrease with age. The critical question remains whether this decline is a cause or a consequence of aging. "The most prudent position today is to consider that it could be a bidirectional relationship: the drop in NAD+ accompanies aging and possibly contributes to some of its effects, but research is ongoing to determine if boosting NAD+ can extend life or partially reverse some aging markers. There are no final conclusions yet," warns Ércoli, who is also the medical director of Gempre Genómica.

Furthermore, the precise way NAD+ functions and how individuals respond to its precursors is not fully understood. Genetic variations in enzymes related to NAD+ synthesis and recycling are likely to influence individual responses. However, Ércoli notes that extensive clinical studies are needed to standardize the use of this information in medical practice, and validated genetic biomarkers for NAD+ response are currently unavailable.

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The most prudent position today is to consider that it could be a bidirectional relationship: the drop in NAD+ accompanies aging and possibly contributes to some of its effects, but research is ongoing to determine if boosting NAD+ can extend life or partially reverse some aging markers. There are no final conclusions yet.