Across labs worldwide, scientists are edging closer to something humans have dreamed about for generations: slowing down the ageing process.
A major new international study involving over 25 researchers from various countries has spotlighted a naturally occurring molecule in the body, known as NAD+.
The molecule is a potential key player in delaying age-related decline and protecting the brain from diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Often referred to as the ‘youth molecule’ by some in the scientific community, NAD+ has emerged as a major focus in anti-ageing research, offering new hope through recent breakthroughs.
How NAD+ functions inside our cells
Published in the respected journal Nature Aging, the study brings together years of clinical research into the role of NAD+ in cellular energy production.
Early findings are encouraging, pointing to improvements in memory, physical coordination, and metabolism.
However, researchers remain cautious, stressing that much larger studies are needed to define safe dosages and long-term outcomes.
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is vital for keeping cells alive and functioning. It supports energy generation, DNA repair and the regulation of key biological processes.
But as we grow older, NAD+ levels naturally drop, something scientists now associate with common signs of ageing, such as memory issues, loss of muscle strength and slower metabolism.
Breakthroughs and remaining hurdles
Dr Jianying Zhang, lead researcher at the University of Oslo, says that ‘tuning NAD+ metabolism may help slow down age-related health decline.’
According to Zhang, preserving or boosting NAD+ levels could be a promising way to delay premature ageing and guard against neurodegenerative conditions.
Clinical trials are currently testing ways to elevate NAD+ using compounds like nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), which are vitamin-like precursors to the molecule.
Patients receiving these supplements have reported notable improvements in cognitive function, mobility, and metabolic health, fueling optimism and accelerating research.
This has also triggered a surge in commercial interest, with a wave of NAD+-boosting supplements flooding the market.
Many of these products claim to rejuvenate the body from within. But as Dr Evandro Fei Fang-Stavem, head of the Fang Lab at the University of Oslo, cautions, ‘NAD+ is essential to life, but there’s still a lot of confusion about which supplements are actually effective and how they should be used.’
While scientists agree that the progress is promising, they also warn that the research is still in its early stages. Larger, long-term trials are necessary to confirm the safety and effectiveness of NAD+ therapies, and to better understand possible side effects.
As Dr Zhang puts it: ‘If we want to unlock NAD+’s full potential, we need to understand how it works in the body, how safe it is, and how it affects individuals differently.’
Read more health news at the Spanish Eye.
