The FDA Just (Re)Approved This Anti-Aging Supplement

You Should Know: Anti-aging supplements are gaining popularity — and fast. One such supplement is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), also referred to as NAD+ or NADH. A sibling of this supplement, Beta (β) nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), was recently re-approved by the FDA for use in dietary supplements after a three-year court case with a manufacturer.

Going Deeper: NAD and NMN supplements both act on your body at a cellular level. NMN is a precursor to NAD, which exists in every cell in your body. Levels of NAD decline with age, so scientists (and supplement barons) think supplementation might delay certain aging processes, like the wrinkling of skin and cognitive decline. Research is promising, but still very limited and inconclusive. 

Takeaway: NAD occurs naturally in the body and can be increased through certain lifestyle factors, like exercising and prioritizing sleep. Eating foods high in NAD, like salmon and broccoli, can also increase levels naturally. NAD supplements come in various forms, like pills and injections, though an official dose has not been established. 

Bottom Line: As always, use supplements as what they are: supplements. None, no matter how promising their marketing, replace the healthy habits that support you for a lifetime.