In the world of anti-aging research, there has been a large focus on N.A.D. which is a natural compound in all cells of our body. It is a critical molecule in that it helps cells unlock energy from food and create ATP, a process that occurs in the mitochondria. It is also a signaling molecule to tell cells it needs repair and maintenance. N.A.D. is high when we are young, and declines throughout life by a factor of 50% every 20 years. If you could keep your N.A.D. levels elevated, you could theoretically pause or even reverse signs and symptoms of aging.

N.A.D. stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It will be much easier to refer to it as NAD. Made from vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid or nicotinamide/niacinamide) and to a lesser extent from tryptophan. NAD exists as NAD+, NADH, NADP+, and NADPH. NAD is a redox couple where the NAD+ and NADP+ are the oxidized forms and NADH and NADPH are in the reduced form. When oxidized, it loses electrons and when reduced it is gaining electrons and NAD in these coenzyme forms are responsible for all metabolic transformations that take place within our bodies. Without them we would die within 30 seconds. This is how cyanide works. Cyanide shuts down the cytochrome c oxidase enzyme in the mitochondria which is the last step in the process of making ATP and oxygen. Cyanide makes oxygen unavailable.