Main functions of NAD+

Protection against cancer: Cancer, despite being a serious multifactorial disorder, is closely related to the proper function of both the immune system and other substances and enzymes. One of them is the enzyme IMP dehydrogenase, involved in the processes of cell replication and DNA damage, it has been recently demonstrated the involvement of NAD+ in this process, so that it would provide benefits to prevent a disordered cell replication.

Energy production: NAD+ participates directly in the processes of Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation in the mycochondria, that is, in that key site for life called “Respiratory Chain”, it is precisely there where ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules are produced, which are finally used as energy for all body functions.

REDOX Equilibrium: The Redox equilibrium, or oxidation / reduction processes, are directly related to the actions of oxygen free radicals, here, the relationships between NAD+ and its reduced form NADH, interact directly in this process of balance against oxidative stress damage.

Functions of Sirtuins: These enzymes, which among many other functions participate in the elimination of acetyl groups from proteins, which protects and improves cellular function and plays a key role in longevity, depend on NAD+ to be able to function correctly.

Degenerative diseases: Recent studies have shed light on the relationship between the lack of NAD+ and the emergence or acceleration of degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and other degenerative pathologies, especially of the nervous system.

Improvement of the immune system: It has been seen that a number of important cells of the immune system and the complement system, mainly CD3, CD4 and NK (natural killers), work better or more optimally in the presence of sufficient cellular NAD +, this would be related to a lower predisposition to suffer from infectious diseases of any kind and also for the fight against cancer cells that occur in the body on a regular basis and are eliminated by the defense system.

As we can see, NAD+ is a key substance involved in a multitude of highly important functions, from energy production, longevity, improvement of the immune system, DNA protection, the correct function of other enzymes and reactions of the organism, and also in the prevention of serious diseases, such as degenerative diseases like cancer.