A Conservative View of Targeting NAD+ Metabolism in Diseases of Aging

NAD+ metabolism in the context of aging and age-related disease is an area of some interest of late. NAD+ is involved in mitochondrial function, essential to cell and tissue function. The mechanisms of synthesizing and recycling NAD+ decline with age, and this might be an important contributing factor in the decline of mitochondrial function throughout the body. Certainly, the evidence in cells and animals suggests that mitochondrial function can be improved via restoration of youthful levels of NAD+. Given that the available ways of manipulating NAD+ metabolism largely involve supplementation with vitamin B3 derivatives, such as niacin, nicotinamide riboside, and nicotinamide mononucleotide, much of this research in human patients is effectively a slightly more sophisticated extension of decades of clinical trials of high dose vitamin B3. As a recent review notes, the results to date have been hit and miss, as yet not that much better than can be obtained through exercise programs, but some degree of benefit to older individuals appears plausible. Altered NAD+ homeostasis has been linked to multiple diseases affecting different organs, including the brain and nervous system, liver, heart and kidney. NAD+ depletion is a hallmark of ageing and numerous age-related disorders. Therefore, boosting NAD+ offers a promising option for enhancing resilient to aging or diseases, thereby extending a healthy lifespan. The NAD+ level can be elevated by dietary supplementat...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs