Are you struggling with weight management? Then you might be interested in a potential solution: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) precursors!
Overweight means carrying excess body weight, including muscle, bone, fat, or water, whereas obesity specifically implies an excessive accumulation of body fat. Body mass index (BMI) is an indicator for both overweight and obesity. A BMI over 25 is seen as overweight and over 30 is considered obese.
Overweight and obesity are serious global public health issues. As we know, these conditions come with a higher risk of developing serious health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, respiratory conditions, gallstones, and certain cancers. Did you know that 65% of the world’s population lives in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight?
Despite the widespread prevalence of obesity and overweight, the problems they cause, and the focus on preventing and managing them, the battle continues. Announcing the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA’s) Standards of Care for 2024, ADA chief scientific and medical officer Robert Gabbay noted, “Obesity management is one of the biggest changes over this last year.”
Simply put, it’s hard to lower BMI and maintain weight loss. That’s where NAD+ precursors seem to offer promise!
Pioneering research has found that the NAD+ precursor has significant effects on weight management. The researchers say that it’s possible that substances like NAD+ and similar elements, which control how our cells work, could play a big role in weight management, including dealing with problems related to obesity, like how our body handles stress, makes fuel from food, and produces energy.
The study, titled “The effects of NAD+ precursor (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) supplementation on weight loss and related hormones: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of randomized controlled trials”, was published in Frontiers in Nutrition in Oct 2023 (Sec. Nutrition and Metabolism Vol 10).
Before we dive into the findings, you need to know what NAD+ precursors are and how they may help with weight management.
What are Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) Precursors?
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a crucial coenzyme found in all living cells. It plays an essential role in various biological processes, including energy metabolism, DNA repair, stress response, immune system activity, cell survival and more.
NAD+ precursors are molecules that your body can use to create the helpful NAD+ molecule. Your body takes micronutrients and substances from the food you eat and turns them into the NAD+ molecule through a series of chemical reactions. So, NAD+ precursors are like building blocks that your body puts together to make sure you have enough NAD+ to keep your cells healthy and working properly.
So, how can NAD+ precursors help with weight maintenance?
Potential Impact of NAD+ Precursor Supplementation on BMI
The study investigated the effects of NAD+ precursor supplementation on weight loss, adiponectin, and leptin. Adiponectin is a hormone that helps your body how to manage its energy in a healthy way. It helps improve how your body uses sugars and fats for energy and can also control inflammation. Leptin, also called the “satiety hormone,” is produced by the fat cells. Leptin sends signals to your brain that you’re full, which helps control your hunger and prevents overeating.
Participants were administered NAD+ precursor supplementation – (nicotinic acid (NA) or nicotinamide (NE). The researchers found that the NAD+ precursor has significant effects on weight management by reducing BMI and increasing adiponectin. However, the supplementation did not have any significant effect on body weight and leptin.
An interesting finding of the study was that NA seemed to have a bigger impact on BMI compared to NE. The researchers recommend more research to investigate how NE supplements could help with obesity. They also explained that unlike NE, NA lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which might explain why it’s more effective for BMI and related obesity factors.
A Healthy Lifestyle is Important
While this study found that taking NAD+ precursors can lower BMI and increase adiponectin in people compared to those who didn’t take them, it didn’t show a major impact on body weight and leptin. Even though the study demonstrated that using NAD+ supplements decreased BMI and increased adiponectin, the researchers point out that it’s crucial to remember that they are not a quick fix for weight loss.
“Given the evidence of decreased BMI in humans and increased adiponectin, it is important to emphasize that NAD+ supplementation should not be seen as a one-time solution for weight loss and should be combined with healthy eating habits and exercise under professional guidance from a dietitian”, they wrote.
Moreover, further research will be needed to understand the long-term consequences of increased NAD+ and optimal doses and combinations to increase NAD+ levels.
If you’re dealing with obesity, tackling the underlying reasons is key. Seeking professional guidance can ensure a customized plan that includes diet, exercise and behavioral modifications to support your weight management needs.