NAD: The Compound Your Bones And Body Can’t Do Without

New studies have uncovered valuable information about a compound your body relies on to regulate nearly all major biological processes. The compound, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), is a powerful coenzyme that you and your bones need to stay healthy and functional– but it declines with age.

In this article, you'll learn about NAD– what it is, how your body forms it, the role it plays in bone health, and how to use your diet to naturally increase NAD production. Increasing your NAD levels could make a significant difference in your long-term health, as well as the strength and quality of your bones.

All About NAD

NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme produced endogenously (within the body) that supports functions as basic as cellular energy production. It is required for over 500 enzymatic reactions throughout the body.¹

The compound was first described in 1906, when researchers identified it as part of the fermentation process. Now we know that it's one of the most abundant molecules in the human body. NAD is in a constant state of flux — forming, degrading, and reforming inside our cells.

Except for neurons, mammalian cells cannot import NAD and must produce it internally.There are two principal pathways of NAD formation. Cells produce it from scratch using the compound tryptophan, or they recycle depleted NAD using forms of vitamin B3 such as nicotinamide or nicotinic acid.¹

Research has shown that NAD levels decline with age in specific tissues. Age-related NAD depletion has a negative impact on physiological functions and contributes to aging-related diseases.²

Synopsis

NAD is a coenzyme involved in more than 500 enzymatic reactions throughout the body. The compound is created inside cells using tryptophan, nicotinamide, or nicotinic acid. NAD levels reduce with age, and this depletion contributes to age-related conditions.

How NAD Keeps You Functioning

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis – a cell's ability to to function normally by maintaining a stable internal environment despite external fluctuations.

In addition to its key role in energy metabolism, NAD helps transport calcium between cells and modify proteins for various functions. It also participates as a co-substrate in signaling pathways of intracellular calcium mobilization and post-translational protein modification.³

NAD's regulation of these important cellular tasks protects mitochondrial function, reduces inflammation, attenuates age-related dysfunction, promotes cell differentiation, and regulates epigenetic modulation.³

Studies with mice have found that supplementation of NAD precursor compounds significantly increases tissue levels of NAD and effectively mitigates metabolic syndrome, enhances cardiovascular health, protects against neurodegeneration, and boosts muscular strength.²

Studies have found that NAD levels tend to decline with normal aging, as well as with obesity and hypertension. Replenishing NAD levels has been shown to extend healthspan, avoid metabolic syndrome, and reduce blood pressure. ⁴

Declining NAD levels are a hallmark of physiological decline and are linked to age-related neurodegenerative, metabolic, and ocular diseases.³ Ocular decline is of particular concern for Savers, because reductions in eyesight are associated with increased falls, leading to fractures.

Studies have linked aging-related low NAD levels with a reduction in osteoblast formation. Osteoblasts are the cells responsible for building new bone tissue. One study of older mice found decreased levels of NAD in osteoblast progenitor cultures.

Mice with reduced NAD in osteoblast-producing cells experienced bone loss at an earlier age. Researchers concluded that the decrease in bone formation in old age is due at least in part to a decrease in NAD. They went on to suggest that NAD replenishment has potential as a therapeutic intervention to improve bone health. ⁵

Synopsis

NAD plays numerous roles throughout the body, including in metabolic, cardiovascular, neural, and ocular function. Studies linked low NAD levels to reduced osteoblast formation and suggest that restoring NAD levels can improve bone health.

How To Boost Your NAD Production

With the exception of neurons, the cells in your body cannot absorb NAD; they have to produce it internally. However, their ability to do so is limited by the availability of NAD precursors.

There are two paths cells take to form NAD. They can produce it from scratch using tryptophan, or they can salvage depleted NAD using forms of Vitamin B3 such as nicotinamide or nicotinic acid. Nicotinic acid is primarily found in plant-based foods like cereals and legumes, while nicotinamide is more prevalent in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, and poultry.

These three precursor molecules– tryptophan, nicotinamide, and nicotinic acid– are all available through your diet. Additionally, Vitamin B3 (niacin) is listed in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program as a Foundation Supplement, part of the B-complex vitamins.

NAD precursor foods include:

• • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Tuna
  • Salmon
  • Beef liver
  • Mushrooms*
  • Peanuts
  • Whole grains like brown rice and oats
  • Eggs*
  • Cheese
  • Tofu
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Yeast-containing products like bread and beer
  • Peas*
  • Broccoli*
  • Spinach*
  • Asparagus*
  • Sweet potatoes*
  • Avocado*
  • Bananas*
  • Guavas
  • Lentils*
  • Lima beans*
  • Brown rice
  • Chia seeds
  • Pine nuts
  • Sweet corn

* Foundation Supplement

Including these foods in your diet may help you to maintain higher NAD levels, to support energy production, reduce inflammation, and strengthen your bones.

Synopsis

The foods listed above are sources of NAD precursor compounds that your body can use to increase NAD production. Include them in your diet to support cellular function throughout your body, including the production of bone-building osteoblasts.

What This Means To You

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) has a complex-sounding name, but its importance for your bone strength is simple. Eating NAD precursor foods helps maintain healthy levels of this essential compound, enabling it to produce the cells that build your bones and support overall health.

NAD is an excellent example of the many pathways that must function for your bones to stay healthy. The Osteoporosis Reversal Program provides a plan to repair and maintain the multitude of systems that combine to keep your bones strong and resilient.

A diverse, pH-balanced diet is just one component of the ORP's comprehensive, holistic approach to preventing and reversing osteoporosis.

References

¹ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6342515/

² https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006291X24001256

³ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10240123/

⁴ https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.056589

⁵ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41514-021-00058-7