Cosmetics

Science & Skin

NAD+, the way to eternal youth?

The Longevity Molecule NAD+

The science of getting older

During the last years, the science of aging has gained popularity. Why and how exactly are we aging, and what can we do to slow it down? ​​

When you're dealing with longevity, there's one name you can't avoid: Dr. David Sinclair, a very popular age researcher and often referred to as the “pope of longevity”.He is an Australian-American biologist and academic known for his research on aging and epigenetics. He is a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and the president of the non-profit Academy for Health & Lifespan Research.

According to him and many others in the longevity field, aging is seen as a disease and a treatable medical condition.

NAD+: The New Trend Molecule​

In the research of ageing and longevity, different dietary regimens have emerged as a result of the exhaustive amount of research being done. The crucial legendary molecule which is most important is NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). NAD+ is a coenzyme found naturally in the body.

Besides being fundamental to energy metabolism, NAD+ is directly involved in a multitude of key processes such as in metabolic pathways and in cellular/DNA repair, thereby protecting your body from ageing and diseases. 

NAD+ is involved in the hundreds of biochemical reactions taking place simultaneously in your body, this makes it a critical molecule, which is why its decline can have major implications on your health.

  • NAD+ plays a pivotal role in the production of ATP, the cell’s most important energy currency.

  • NAD+ is essential for enzymes involved in DNA repair and epigenetic changes.

  • NAD+ is a cofactor for sirtuins, also termed “longevity enzymes”.

  • Sirtuins are a family of multifunctional enzymes that regulate almost all cell functions important for metabolic activities, stress responses, and longevity. 

All these reactions are fundamental for the aging process.

NAD+ and the skin

NAD+ is produced in the body from the NAD+ precursors niacin (vitamin B3) and tryptophane from foods like fish, whole cow's milk, beef, whole grains.​​ The problem is that NAD+ markedly declines with age.Studies on various model organisms (yeast, worms, mice) showed a strong correlation between reduced NAD+ levels and accelerated aging. General metabolic decline, inflammaging, senescent cells, genomic instability etc.

A high NAD+ level is vital for a healthy skin, too​. DNA repair is important after UV-stress and other negative environmental impacts that lead to cell malfunction or senescence.

NAD+ prevents inflammaging and aging processes in general and thus the formation of wrinkles, reduction of collagen and accumulation of cell waste that make skin look saggy, wrinkled and blotty.

But: we cannot ad NAD+ to cosmetic formulations because the molecule is not stable and it does not penetrate the cell membranes. This is why we have developped the new innovative ingredient RejuveNAD™ which naturally increases NAD+ levels in skin cells, reduces DNA damage and epigenetic alterations and boots ATP. Based on sunflower sprouts, RejuveNAD™ has been shown to reduce age spots, and to visibly lift, smooth and rejuvenate the skin. 

Discover more here!​

Christine Meier
Écrit par

Christine Meier