NAD Supplement for Alzheimer's Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia and is projected to affect >150 million people by 2050. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is a critical molecule in supporting brain health, and recent research suggests its importance preventing or treating dementia. However, simplistic “NAD⁺ boosters” claims are often misleading.

What is NAD+

NAD⁺ is a coenzyme that cells constantly recycle. It plays three major roles:

1. ‍Energy metabolism: NAD+/NADH shuttles electrons so mitochondria can make ATP.
2. ‍DNA repair and stress response: NAD+ is consumed by enzymes like PARPs during DNA damage responses.
3. Cell signaling and metabolic regulation: NAD+ is also consumed by sirtuins and CD38, linking NAD+ levels to inflammation, aging biology, and metabolic health.

Importantly: NAD+ is not a vitamin-like “more is always better” molecule. Cells need balance, and many enzymes consume NAD+ as part of normal physiology.

This NAD+ balance is central to cellular resilience against oxidative stress, DNA damage, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier deterioration, impaired hippocampal neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity deficits, and neurodegeneration.

The Latest Research on NAD+ and Dementia

The latest study in collaboration between the United States and South Korea demonstrate several key findings:

• Dementia severity correlates with NAD+ balance
  
  • The more disrupted NAD+ homeostasis, the worse the dementia
• NAD+ balance is critical to supporting the blood brain barrier (BBB)
  
  • Oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction disrupt cells in the brain's blood vessels, and NAD+ balance is essential to the health of these cells
• In mice with Alzheimer's disease, normalizing NAD+ balance restored brain resilience and enabled recovery from advanced disease
• NAD+ balance is lost with age, but Alzheimer's disease accelerates this loss

Do NAD+ Supplements Treat Alzheimer's?

Clearly, NAD+ has critical roles in brain health. However, NAD+ alone is not a treatment for Alzheimer's. While NAD+ is necessary for neuronal health, it needs to be balanced with other metabolically important interventions to decrease inflammation and, oxidative damage, and mitigate abnormal protein folding. Studies have demonstrated safety of boosting NAD+ levels even though cognition has not consistently improved.

It is important to discuss holistic memory care with your doctor, including sleep, exercise, metabolic health, alcohol moderation, inflammation management, etc. NAD+ balancing may be a valuable adjunct and will likely work better when other variables are optimized.

What is the Best NAD+ Supplement?

Many companies use deceptive marketing to suggest that their NAD+ supplement is superior. There is no supplement demonstrated to help with Alzheimer's, though some supplements have more research than others. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) has appreciable research and is available in oral and IV forms. Read our comparison of different NAD+ supplements here.

Is NAD+ Right for Your Longevity and Brain Health?

NAD+ supplementation may provide valuable benefits for neurodegenerative conditions, but it may have risks when used without supervision, including potential cancer risks. Many comprehensive longevity plans include a form of NAD+ supplementation, either IV or orally. Learn if NAD+ is right for you and speak with a doctor at Clarus Health today to start your longevity journey for healthy aging.