NAD Precursor Therapy is a clinical strategy involving the administration of molecules that serve as biochemical building blocks for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), a critical coenzyme found in all living cells. The primary goal is to elevate intracellular NAD+ levels, thereby supporting essential metabolic processes, mitochondrial function, and DNA repair mechanisms that naturally decline with age. This therapeutic approach is central to modern anti-aging and metabolic health interventions aimed at boosting cellular resilience.
Origin
This concept emerged from foundational work in biochemistry and aging research, which identified the profound age-related decline of NAD+ and its critical role in cellular energy and survival pathways. The precursors, such as Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) or Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), are utilized because direct NAD+ administration is largely ineffective due to the molecule’s poor cellular permeability. This therapeutic strategy highlights a sophisticated understanding of cellular salvage pathways.
Mechanism
Administered precursors are absorbed and converted into NAD+ through salvage pathways, a series of enzymatic steps that are more efficient than de novo synthesis. Once NAD+ levels are restored, the molecule functions as a necessary co-substrate for enzymes like sirtuins (SIRT1) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs). Sirtuins are involved in gene silencing and metabolic regulation, while PARPs are crucial for DNA damage repair, collectively enhancing cellular resilience and systemic function.
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