What it is
NAD+ is a coenzyme present in every living cell. It is made from vitamin B3 forms such as niacin, nicotinamide and nicotinamide riboside. It is not a peptide but is often handled the same way in the lab because it comes as a lyophilized powder.
How it works
NAD+ carries electrons in the reactions that turn food into ATP. It is also consumed by sirtuins, PARP DNA-repair enzymes and CD38, which link it to cell stress responses and aging research. Tissue levels decline with age in animal studies.
What the research shows
- Oral precursors (nicotinamide riboside, nicotinamide mononucleotide) reliably raise blood NAD+ levels in human trials, with modest or inconsistent effects on health outcomes so far.
- Intravenous NAD+ is offered by clinics, but controlled trial evidence is limited. Rapid infusion commonly causes flushing, nausea and chest tightness.
Regulatory status
Not an FDA-approved drug for any condition. Precursors are sold as dietary supplements.
Storage and handling
Keep powder sealed, dry and frozen or refrigerated. NAD+ is sensitive to light and moisture and breaks down faster in solution, especially at room temperature or alkaline pH.
Reconstitution math
To work out concentration, volume and U-100 syringe units for any vial size, use the reconstitution calculator with NAD+ selected. Always confirm the vial content against the label and the batch's certificate of analysis.
Key references
- Rajman L, Chwalek K, Sinclair DA. Therapeutic potential of NAD-boosting molecules: the in vivo evidence. Cell Metab. 2018.
- Search PubMed for NAD+ studies
Peptide Knowledge is an educational reference. Nothing on this site is medical advice, a treatment recommendation or dosing guidance. Many compounds described here are not approved for human use and are sold for laboratory research only. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping or changing any medication or supplement.
Related compounds
Related reading: reconstitution guide · how to read a certificate of analysis