Aging is the process of a lifetime, but emerging research shows it’s possible to improve some key longevity markers faster than you think. Here’s how.
It’s a universal desire to feel younger, think sharper, and move more freely as the years go by. And we usually measure these goals by the big-picture ways we live our “best lives:” the relationships we keep, the activities we enjoy, and the goals we can knock off of our bucket lists. But the truth is that aging is also something far smaller, happening inside each of us on a microscopic level every day.
A growing body of research has shown that one of the most important determinants for healthy aging is the level of a compound your body makes naturally in each and every cell: NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). This molecule fuels crucial cellular processes like energy production, DNA repair, and gene regulation. These are tiny things, but they can have outsized effects on how we feel every day.
For this reason, NAD+ has rapidly become a hot topic of discussion not only among diehard biohackers, but also everyday people who want to maximize both their lifespan and their quality of life – or what is often called “health span.”
So here’s the bad news: NAD+ levels decline steadily as we age, and that decline is linked to everything from metabolic dysfunction to cognitive decline and muscle loss. The good news? Clinical research suggests there may be a safe, effective, and natural way to boost your NAD+ levels and stave off age-related NAD+ decline.
It’s called NAD3®. Emerging research shows that it can help improve some key markers of aging in just weeks.
NAD3®: A Science-Backed Longevity Compound
NAD3 is a patented, multi-nutrient blend made from a combination of three ingredients:
- Copper nicotinic acid
- Wasabi extract (yes, the same wasabi you have with your favorite sushi roll)
- Theacrine (TeaCrine®)
In combination, these three ingredients are designed to increase intracellular NAD+ and activate your body’s built-in longevity pathways. Foremost among these is a class of proteins called sirtuins, which play a central role in maintaining cellular health.
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Sirtuins: Proteins that regulate cellular health, metabolism, and aging in response to the body’s NAD+ levels
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Unlike some other NAD+ precursors or boosters that only supply the raw materials for NAD+ synthesis, NAD3® works by increasing the body’s natural production and recycling of NAD+ at a deeper level.
Think of it this way: instead of simply charging your existing battery, it can upgrade your body's entire internal battery system, making it run more efficiently in the future.
What the Science Says about NAD3®
In a 2023 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in Physiologia,[1] healthy middle-aged adults who supplemented with NAD3 for 6 weeks experienced a significant increase in the NAD+:NADH ratio, a key marker of cellular and mitochondrial health.
Why does this matter? A higher NAD+:NADH ratio means better cellular energy production, less oxidative stress, and more efficient signaling between your mitochondria and nucleus. In the study, the NAD3 group saw about a 40% increase in this ratio compared to placebo in just one month!
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“These first-in-human data demonstrate that a theacrine-based NAD3 supplement can favorably alter biomarkers of… cellular NAD+ status.”
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University
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The researchers also observed increased sirtuin activation, which aligns with earlier in vitro research showing NAD3 upregulated SIRT1 activity by up to 80%. Since sirtuins are involved in everything from inflammation control to mitochondrial biogenesis, this is a change that can have far-reaching implications.
Stem Cells: Activating Your Body’s Healing Potential
Optimizing your “health span” isn’t just about living longer. It’s about maintaining your body’s ability to heal and regenerate. This is where stem cells come into play. These are the cells your body taps into when it needs to repair and renew itself from injury or exertion.
In a recent 2024 study published in Cureus,[2] researchers took a closer look at whether NAD3®, could influence these all-important repair mechanisms. They conducted a rigorous, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in adults aged 40-70 and uncovered some intriguing shifts in stem cell populations in only a few days.
After just one week of daily NAD3® supplementation, the researchers saw a drop in certain “progenitor” stem cells floating in the blood. They concluded that could be a sign more of these cells are staying where they’re needed, in the tissues, rather than just circulating. Interestingly, there was also a positive trend in the number of stem cells that help repair blood vessels, suggesting possible benefits for cardiovascular health.
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“NAD+ levels decrease with age, and compounds that increase NAD+ levels can improve the pool and pluripotency of stem cells.”
- College of Health Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, USA
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While further research is needed, this study adds to the growing evidence that NAD3® could play a unique role in supporting stem cell function, and even extending the body's ability to regenerate and heal.
A Longevity “Hack” Without the Hype
The wellness world is full of hacks that promise more than they deliver. But NAD3® stands out because it’s supported by multiple peer-reviewed studies, including clinical trials in real people. This isn’t just something that works in petri dishes or mice.
Its unique multi-pronged approach—activating NAD+ biosynthesis, influencing gene expression and telomeres, and enhancing stem cell activity—creates the type of comprehensive support action that longevity experts are increasingly looking for.
Whether you’re an athlete looking to optimize recovery, a busy professional trying to sharpen focus and energy, or simply someone who wants to age with grace and vitality, NAD3® can be a low-risk, high-reward tool to keep in your aging arsenal.
It’s particularly appealing for those in their 30s and beyond, when natural NAD+ levels begin to dip. But it’s also a forward-looking tool for proactive biohackers who understand that the best time to start aging well is before the signs show up.
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References
1 Roberts, M. D., La Monica, M. B., Raub, B., Sandrock, J. E., Ziegenfuss, T. N., Smith, R., Dwaraka, V. B., & Lopez, H. L. (2023). The Effects of a Multi-Ingredient Supplement Containing Wasabia Japonica Extract, Theacrine, and Copper (I) Niacin Chelate on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell DNA Methylation, Transcriptomics, and Sirtuin Activity. Physiologia, 3(2), 233-246. https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia3020016
2 Hellenbrand J, Bloomer RJ, Van der Merwe M. The Effect of Short-Term NAD3® Supplementation on Circulating Adult Stem Cells in Healthy Individuals Aged 40-70 Years. Cureus. 2024;16(3):e55661. Published 2024 Mar 6. doi:10.7759/cureus.55661