NAD+ (direct oral supplement)
What it is
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide sold as a direct oral supplement for longevity and energy. Critical problem: oral NAD+ is degraded to nicotinamide by gut enzymes before absorption, meaning the body receives the same compound as taking inexpensive niacinamide. Pharmacokinetic studies confirm that oral NAD+ raises plasma NAD no better than equivalent doses of nicotinamide, while costing 10–20× more. In contrast, NMN and NR are proven precursors that directly enter the biosynthetic pathway and raise intracellular NAD+ by 40–90% in RCTs. Intravenous NAD+ bypasses oral degradation and is a different clinical intervention.
Dose
Not recommended as standalone supplement — use NMN (250–500 mg/day) or NR (250–300 mg/day) instead; niacinamide 500 mg/day is a cost-effective alternative
Time of day & tips
Save your money. NMN and NR are the evidence-based choices for raising cellular NAD+. Niacinamide is the cheapest and likely comparable option for NAD+ synthesis. If a practitioner recommends IV NAD+ infusions, the evidence base is limited and cost is high — discuss expected benefits vs cost carefully.
Cycling
N/A — not recommended in this form. Switch to NMN, NR, or niacinamide for NAD+ precursor support.
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