NAD+: Energy production in the body – BRAINEFFECT

One of the reasons you sometimes feel sluggish and less productive may be a lack of NAD+. This molecule is particularly important for energy production in your cells.

In this article, you'll learn how to replenish your NAD+ stores and thus increase your performance.

1. What is NAD+?

NAD is a so-called coenzyme and is an abbreviation for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide , which can exist either as NAD+ or NADH. The number of electrons it contains determines which of the two forms is present.

NADH has two more electrons than NAD+. These two coenzymes are found in every cell in the body. NAD+ is often referred to as the "molecule of youth" because it plays an important role in the body's cells and in energy production.

If you now supply your body with energy in the form of food, the fats and carbohydrates reach the body cells, where they are metabolized into energy by the mitochondria .

During this process, ATP and NADH are produced. This energy is in the form of ATP, the common energy currency in your body, which is, in a sense, the final currency.

During cellular respiration , NADH can also be converted into ATP , i.e., energy. What's left over is NAD+ . Sounds complicated?

But it's actually not. Electrons play an important role in this energy production process. Initially, they are bound to NADH and can be transported through the cells with it.

During the energy production process in the mitochondria, the electrons are released from NADH and, as mentioned, NAD+ and ATP are produced.

In short, your cells' energy production process involves splitting off the electrons contained in your food because this process releases energy.

Your cells need several components for the energy production process so that energy can be produced in the form of ATP and you feel fit and efficient.

Things get difficult when your cells don't have all the necessary components and the processes can't function properly. Then you feel weak and exhausted.

The first sign of this may be that you feel extremely tired and weak after eating. This is because your metabolism isn't firing properly.

This is initiated by your body when your cells contain a lot of NAD+. A lot of NAD+ in your cells, and thus an activated metabolism, means that your mitochondria are functioning very well and a lot of NADH is being converted into ATP and NAD+.

Take-Home Message #1: NAD+ is produced as a "waste product" during the energy production process when NADH is broken down into ATP. Nevertheless, it plays an important role in your cells, and a deficiency can have numerous consequences.

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2. The consequences of low NAD+

The consequences of an NAD+ deficiency are numerous and can be identified by various symptoms. First and foremost is a significantly reduced performance or the ability of your cells to produce energy.

The reason for the reduced performance is the so-called redox potential of your cells . This redox potential describes the ability of your cells to conduct electrons , which in turn is largely controlled by NAD+.

The greater the NAD+ deficiency , the lower the redox potential and the lower the energy available to you. A second consequence of an NAD+ deficiency can be obesity.

NAD+ plays an important role in your metabolism, i.e., the way you break down food. By activating enzymes called sirtuins, NAD+ boosts fat burning and thus reduces the risk of obesity.

Not only does your body's combustion system suffer from the deficiency, but the function of your mitochondria is also weakened by too little NAD+.

As already explained, your mitochondria require numerous substances to function properly and produce energy. One problem can be a lack of oxygen.

If there's too little oxygen, your energy output and thus your performance decrease. This phenomenon is called hypoxia. A similar thing happens when the mitochondria lack NAD+.

This process is called pseudohypoxia and almost the same problems occur as with a lack of oxygen .

Too little NAD+ therefore reduces the cell output, which you immediately notice in a decrease in performance.

But NAD+ isn't just important for your energy levels; it also plays a vital role in the production of dopamine . Your body needs NAD+ to build important neurotransmitters , such as dopamine and serotonin .

Neurotransmitters are messenger substances required by your nervous system. Dopamine and serotonin are primarily responsible for your well-being and ensure your happiness.

As a study by the University of Amsterdam found, a long-term deficiency of dopamine and serotonin leads to a deterioration in well-being and even depression. [1]

Those affected by a deficiency were weak and listless. The patients in the study were listless and their overall well-being deteriorated. [1]

A dopamine deficiency not only makes you unhappy, but can also cause fatigue, memory lapses, and difficulty concentrating.

The consequences at a glance

1. Fatigue
2. Obesity
3. Impaired mitochondrial function
4. Deteriorated well-being

3. NAD+ for better brain power

The most important function of NAD+ is to boost the performance of your mitochondria . This also has an impact on the performance of your brain, since many mitochondria are located there as well.

In fact, your brain consumes almost a quarter of your total available energy even at rest . Although your brain only accounts for 2 percent of your total body weight, it's definitely your biggest energy drain , and this increases when you're performing mental tasks or are under stress.

When this happens, the brain extracts up to 90% of the glucose contained in the blood. So you can see how essential energy supply is, especially for your brain.

The result of this high energy demand is that your brain has an extremely high density of mitochondria . Numerous studies have examined the connection between NAD+ and mental performance.

The study by the Department of Neurology at the University of California found that NAD+ has a positive influence on neuronal transmission in the brain and thus on learning and memory processes. [2]

These findings have also been utilized in addiction therapy. Alcohol, along with numerous other factors, negatively impacts the energy supply in your brain. There, too, administering NAD+ can compensate for the deficiency and improve energy supply.

Take-Home Message #2 : If you're NAD+ deficient, your brain suffers the most. It relies on optimal mitochondrial function to ensure you can perform at your best, even in stressful situations!

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4. Naturally increase your NAD+

The good thing about NAD+ is that you don't always have to resort to NAD+ supplements ; you can also increase your levels naturally.

If you want to increase your NAD+ level naturally, you should stimulate processes in your body that already produce NAD+.

1. Sports

The most important way to do this is through exercise, as this forces your cells to produce as much energy as possible and more NADH than usual is converted into NAD+.

You don't have to torture yourself for hours; a short , intense workout of 20 minutes can be enough to boost coenzyme production in your mitochondria. You can find out more about exercise and energy here.

2. Ketogenic diet

Another way to increase NAD+ and improve mitochondrial function can be a ketogenic diet . This diet, based purely on healthy fats, almost completely eliminates carbohydrates , thus boosting the health of your cells.

Not only are fats a more stable and healthier source of energy for you, they also ensure that fewer free radicals are formed that attack cellular power plants.

3. MCT oil

Never heard of MCT oil ? Then it's about time, because it's the product of choice, especially on a ketogenic diet.

MCT C8 oil contains 100% caprylic acid, which your body converts directly into ketone bodies. MCT oils with a 100% C8 content allow you to reap the benefits of a ketogenic diet without having to live a ketone lifestyle every day.

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4. Increase dopamine levels

NAD+ is closely linked to your dopamine levels. How can you increase it? When you're successful or have completed a task, dopamine is released.

So keep setting new goals you want to achieve and celebrate every partial success . Studies show that simply checking off to-do lists can slightly increase our dopamine levels . Why? We love getting things done.

5. Conclusion: NAD+

NAD+ is an important molecule in your energy metabolism. For an extra boost, you can supplement it or increase your NAD+ levels naturally.

Some hacks for this include the ketogenic diet, HIIT training, or other hacks for more energy. The most important thing is: Take the first step. Take action!

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