What is the Origin of NAD+ Regeneration?

The concept is fundamental to biochemistry, particularly the understanding of redox reactions and the electron transport chain. Its prominence in health and wellness stems from the discovery of sirtuins and their NAD+-dependent activity, which has linked this coenzyme directly to the regulation of aging and metabolic health.

What is the Mechanism of NAD+ Regeneration?

The regeneration of NAD+ primarily occurs through the salvage pathway, involving the enzyme Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), which converts Nicotinamide (NAM) back into Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), a direct precursor to NAD+. In the mitochondria, NAD+ is regenerated from NADH by the electron transport chain. Maintaining a high NAD+/NADH ratio is essential for driving metabolic flux and sustaining sirtuin-mediated DNA repair and epigenetic regulation.

NAD+ Regeneration ∞ Area

NAD+ Regeneration

Meaning

NAD+ Regeneration is the critical biochemical process of restoring Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) from its reduced form, NADH, ensuring a continuous supply of this essential coenzyme for numerous metabolic reactions. NAD+ is vital for cellular energy production, DNA repair, and the activity of sirtuins, a class of proteins linked to longevity. The capacity for efficient regeneration declines with age, making its maintenance a central target in anti-aging protocols.