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What is NAD+?

 

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme found in all living cells. It plays a critical role in various biological processes, including energy metabolism, DNA repair, and gene expression. NAD+ exists in two forms: oxidized (NAD+) and reduced (NADH).

1. Energy Metabolism: NAD+ is a key player in cellular respiration, the process by which cells generate energy from glucose and other nutrients. During this process, NAD+ accepts electrons and becomes reduced to NADH. NADH then delivers these electrons to the electron transport chain, where they are used to generate ATP, the cell's primary energy currency.

2. DNA Repair: NAD+ is involved in DNA repair mechanisms, particularly through enzymes called PARPs (poly ADP-ribose polymerases). PARPs use NAD+ as a substrate to add poly ADP-ribose (PAR) chains to proteins involved in DNA repair, helping to maintain genomic stability.

3. Gene Expression: NAD+ also serves as a substrate for sirtuins, a family of proteins involved in regulating various cellular processes, including gene expression, DNA repair, and metabolism. Sirtuins remove acetyl groups from proteins in a process called deacetylation, which can affect gene expression and cellular function.

Recent research has sparked interest in NAD+ supplementation for its potential health benefits, including anti-aging effects, improved metabolism, and enhanced cellular function.

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It's worth noting that NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, and some studies suggest that boosting NAD+ levels through supplementation or other means may help counteract age-related decline in cellular function

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NAD+ and the brain

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1. Energy Metabolism: The brain is an energy-intensive organ, and NAD+ is essential for producing ATP, the primary energy currency of cells. NAD+ participates in cellular respiration, where it helps transfer electrons in the mitochondria to generate ATP. Adequate NAD+ levels are vital for maintaining brain energy metabolism and overall cognitive function.

2. Neuroprotection: NAD+ is involved in various pathways that promote neuroprotection. For example, NAD+ is a substrate for enzymes called sirtuins, which have been implicated in processes that protect neurons from oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. By activating sirtuins, NAD+ may help enhance cellular resilience and promote brain health.

3. DNA Repair and Maintenance: NAD+ is crucial for DNA repair processes in neurons. It serves as a substrate for enzymes involved in DNA repair mechanisms, helping to maintain genomic stability and prevent the accumulation of DNA damage, which can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases and age-related cognitive decline.

4. Gene Expression Regulation: NAD+ influences gene expression patterns in the brain through its role as a cofactor for sirtuins and other enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation. By modulating gene expression, NAD+ can impact various aspects of neuronal function, including synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and memory formation.