View source for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD)

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'''Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD)''' is a vital coenzyme found in every cell of our bodies and has become a focal point in the field of longevity and aging research. NAD+ plays a central role in energy metabolism and is essential for the function of several enzymes that are associated with aging and DNA repair.

NAD exists in two main forms: NAD+ and NADH. NAD+ is the oxidized form of the compound and is essential for various cellular processes, including DNA repair, gene expression, and calcium signaling. When NAD+ accepts electrons during metabolic reactions, it becomes reduced and transforms into NADH. NADH, the reduced form, primarily functions in the production of ATP, the cell's primary energy currency, through the electron transport chain. The dynamic interconversion between these two forms, NAD+ and NADH, is fundamental to the cell's energy production and overall function.

The NAD+/NADH ratio is an important cellular indicator, reflecting the cell's metabolic state. A healthy balance between NAD+ and NADH is required for optimal function of several key enzymes, including those involved in energy production, DNA repair, and cell signaling.