A-Z longevity Articles

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is a form of vitamin B3 (niacin) that is also sometimes called coenzyme 1. Your body can make this nutrient from dietary niacin or niacinamide. Because of this, deficiency is rare. NADH is necessary for the production of energy inside each of our body's cells. It also plays a role in the cellular repair of our DNA, the genetic template in each of our cells and the synthesis of some neurochemicals and hormones involved in brain and mental health.

Key Health Advantages of NADH/NAD

Energy and Metabolism

This nutrient increases the rate of chemical reactions in our mitochondria (the metabolic power plant of our cells) and alsohelps the cell repair the cellular genetic material (DNA). Any NADH in the body that is not currently in use for chemical reactions can act as an antioxidant, protecting the cells from damaging free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules with an unpaired electron that are extremely reactive, and damage surrounding cell membranes, fats, and fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients. Because of its role in metabolism, it is often used for conditions requiring an increase in energy and cellular repair.

Neurologic Effect and Mental Health

NADH also supports the production of certain neurochemicals and hormones in the body, such as adrenaline and dopamine. Low dopamine levels have been implicated in Parkinson's disease and possibly Alzheimer's disease, so increasing NADH may help to lower the risk of these conditions. Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by low energy and is also helped by taking a niacin supplement, perhaps because of increased adrenaline production. In general, ensuring adequate levels of this nutrient is a good step towards improving brain health and neurochemical balance. Thus, NADH can play a role in improved mental health and brain function.

Shopping For Quality NADH Supplements

This supplement can be found alone in capsules or tablets and is also found in combination formulas for energy enhancements. NADH can be directly supplemented at a dose between 2.5 and 10mg daily. Supplementation of niacin or niacinamide can allow the body to create the amount of NADH it needs naturally.

Potential Side Effects & Important Information

Doses greater than 5mg daily for prolonged periods have been shown to cause insomnia, anxiety, mood swings, and stomach upset. There are no known contraindications reported for the use of NADH.

What is Resveratrol?

As one of the most prevalent anti-aging supplements, resveratrol is an active polyphenolic nutrient found in common foods such as red wine, berries, and the skins of other brightly coloured fruits. In addition to its anti-aging benefits, this nutrient has been found to protect the cardiovascular system, and balance female hormones.

Health Benefits of Resveratrol

Healthy Cell Growth

Animal studies on resveratrol showed dramatic results for reducing unhealthy cell growth, by acting directly on infected cells and causing programmed cell death (apoptosis). These studies showed that the experimental subjects taking this nutrient had far more unhealthy cell death than those not supplementing during their treatment. These same studies also showed that it inhibited the proliferation of affected cells. The best results in terms of treatment seem to be with issues in which the resveratrol can come into direct contact with the affected cells. For this reason, it may be particularly effective for gastrointestinal, as well as skin cell issues (if applied topically).

Protecting the Cardiovascular System

According to animal studies, resveratrol can also protect the heart and cardiovascular system from damage. These effects come from its ability to maintain the integrity of artery walls and to reduce viscosity of the blood. It has been shown to reduce the risk of clot formation, while it also promotes vasodilation (relaxing of the blood vessels). It has also been shown to possess significant anti-inflammatory properties, making it a promising option in atherosclerosis prevention. Some researchers believe that resveratrol is responsible for the "French Paradox", explaining why many French people can eat more fatty foods than North Americans, but suffer from fewer incidences of heart attack and stroke. The thinking is that this may be due in part to a higher red wine consumption.

Female Hormone Balancing

Resveratrol has also been shown to possess both estrogenic and anti estrogenic properties, based on the body's own levels and need. Similar to soy products, this may have an application in both estrogen dominant pathologies, as well as in such conditions as menopause, in which estrogen levels are low. In a sense, it helps to balance the body's estrogen levels naturally.

Antiviral and Antioxidant

There is also some promising research to suggest that resveratrol may inhibit viruses, such as: herpes simplex, varicella, influenza and others. Animal studies have confirmed that resveratrol can prevent and help to reverse free radical damage. Unfortunately, since it is metabolized so quickly, the powerful antioxidant claims may be slightly exaggerated when considered in the complex case of the human body. The antioxidant effect of resveratrol is stronger when stabilized in supplement form.

Taking Resveratrol

The levels of resveratrol used in all of these animal studies are far beyond levels that can be naturally reached through diet, nor is it safe or practical for people to drink enough red wine on a daily basis to have a significant health enhancing effect. It is for those reasons that supplementation is the preferred method of delivery. This nutrient can be found as a supplement in both capsule and liquid form, in varying concentrations. These supplements are usually made from Japanese knotweed, a concentrated plant source of resveratrol. Because of this, many supplement companies will advertise that their resveratrol products contain the equivalent of at least 20+ glasses of red wine. It is also important to note that currently there is very little research, based on clinical trials, supporting the efficacy of resveratrol in humans.