Cells generate energy through cellular respiration by oxidising food molecules such as glucose. The energy released during this process is used to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s primary energy storage molecule. A key player in this process is NAD+, the oxidised form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which loses an electron. Its reduced counterpart, NADH, gains the electron lost by NAD⁺. Together, NAD+ and NADH form a redox couple—central to energy production through electron transfer reactions.

NAD+ is present in nearly every living cell, including those in the heart, brain, muscles, and lungs. Alongside mitochondria, it plays a vital role in generating the energy required for the cell’s biochemical functions. This energy is stored in ATP molecules. NAD+ supports metabolism in two key ways: first, by enabling the conversion of nutrients into usable energy, and second, by acting as a coenzyme—assisting specific proteins that regulate essential cellular processes. These functions are fundamental to maintaining overall health, helping to slow the ageing process and reduce the risk of various diseases.