Reevaluating NAD⁺ Supplements: Do Low Levels Accelerate Aging?

Recent research challenges the common assumption that declining NAD⁺ levels in skeletal muscle significantly contribute to aging and muscle deterioration. NAD⁺ is a vital molecule involved in cellular energy production and various metabolic processes. Its levels tend to decrease with age, leading many to believe that supplementing with NAD precursors could support healthy aging.

However, a study from the Treebak Group at the University of Copenhagen, published in Cell Metabolism, provides new insights. Researchers found that a reduction of up to 85% in NAD⁺ levels specifically within skeletal muscle did not result in accelerated aging or noticeable decline in overall metabolism in mice. These findings suggest that skeletal muscle can tolerate substantial NAD depletion without impairing function or hastening aging processes.

To arrive at this conclusion, scientists engineered mice with the ability to selectively decrease NAD⁺ in muscle tissue after reaching adulthood. Despite the significant reduction, these mice exhibited normal muscle size, strength, and health indicators, even throughout their lifespan. They experienced only minor metabolic changes during exercise, but overall, their health metrics remained comparable to those of normal mice.

This challenges the prevailing view that increasing NAD⁺ levels via supplementation is a necessary strategy for combating muscle aging or frailty. It prompts a reevaluation of the effectiveness of NAD precursors and other related supplements, suggesting that high NAD⁺ levels in skeletal muscle might not be as crucial for maintaining muscle health and delaying aging as previously thought.

The findings open new avenues for understanding aging mechanisms and emphasize that a focus on skeletal muscle NAD⁺ levels alone may not be sufficient. More research is needed to determine the precise role of NAD⁺ in various tissues and to explore whether other pathways contribute more significantly to the aging process.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-trash-supplements-nad-aging.html