5 side effects of NAD+ deficiency

NAD+ probably isn’t something that you give a second thought to with regards to your health. That’s because NAD+ is an underrated aspect of our overall health and wellbeing and it’s something that isn’t really discussed. We’re all pretty aware of the various vitamins and minerals our body needs to stay in tip top condition. We’ve got the A-Z of vitamins that the supermarkets sell (most of which we actually end up flushing down the toilet) but when it comes to NAD+, very little is mentioned in mainstream literature.

What is NAD+?

NAD+ is something that naturally occurs in our body. It is a type of molecule that helps with energy production in every cell of the body. It was discovered in the early 1900s during research into fermentation (which is a similar process to how our bodies generate energy) and since then, has been proven to support a number of biological processes, including ageing, performance and immunity.

What happens when our body is low on NAD+?

Various studies have shown that our NAD+ levels naturally decrease as we get older. In fact, by age 40 our levels have decreased by around 50%. And this jumps to 80% by age 60. But there are other factors that are linked with low NAD+ levels including obesity, overconsumption of alcohol and oxidative stress on the cells. Additionally, a decline in NAD levels is closely related to the development of various metabolic disorders, including diabetes and fatty liver disease. And there are various side effects of having NAD+ deficiency that you may not even know were caused by low levels of NAD+. These include:

Fatigue

Low levels of NAD+ can leave you feeling extremely fatigued even if you’re getting enough sleep. This is because NAD+ helps energise your body on a cellular level.

Mental fog

Having a NAD+ deficiency can also leave you feeling mentally drained, unfocused and foggy. If you haven’t felt on top of your game for a while you could be suffering from low levels of NAD+.

Dull, tired skin

Adequate NAD+ levels help to give you a bright, clear complexion so if you’ve noticed that your skin is looking dull and tired it could be due to low levels of NAD+.

Oxidative stress

Oxidative stress isn’t something that you would be able to notice, but the symptoms of oxidative stress are things you could pick up. Oxidative stress can damage cells, proteins, and DNA, which can contribute to ageing. It may also play a role in development of a range of health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Insomnia

Having trouble getting to sleep? Waking up for hours in the middle of the night? Depleted levels of NAD+ could be the problem. NAD+ supplements are a fantastic way to boost your NAD+ levels. Browse our range of supplements to see how they can help you live a happier, healthier life.