NAD + has likely been on your list of research about supporting your reproductive health. It is a coenzyme that has received serious attention over the last few years; and well deserved. Reproductive health professionals, scientists, and health conscious individuals are all considering the role of NAD+ within the broader context of reproductive health. Being a beginner when deciding what to do with your eggs, or intimately involved with your fertility plan, learning what NAD+ is, and how it interrelates to egg quality, ovarian activity and the health of the cell overall is a good place to begin.

What Is NAD+ and Why Is It Relevant to Reproductive Health?

NAD+ is an abbreviation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is one of the coenzymes in each and every cell in your body and is central in the generation of energy, repairing of DNA and communication between cells. Your cells cannot work their best without the adequate NAD+.

NAD+ treatments for fertility support have become a growing area of interest because reproductive cells, especially eggs, are among the most energy-demanding cells in the human body. They rely on mitochondria to generate the power needed for healthy development, and mitochondria depend heavily on NAD+ to function properly.

The dilemma is that there is a natural ageing effect of NAD+. Once you become in your mid-30s the level of your cellular NAD+ levels may be vastly lower than when you were in your 20s. This may lead to deterioration in aspects as broad as the way your cells repair DNA damage, or their efficiency in generating energy. That would go a long way in the case of reproductive health.

How NAD+ Levels Affect Egg Quality and Ovarian Reserve

One of the most discussed aspects of female fertility is its quality of eggs, and mitochondrial activity is directly related to it. Thousands of mitochondria are contained within each of the eggs, which is a lot more than is typical of most cell types. These mitochondria need to produce sufficient energy to aid ovulation, fertilization and early embryo development.

Reduced levels of NAD + may disrupt the effectiveness of mitochondria, and, consequently, influence the developing and maturing capabilities of eggs. Studies have indicated that being associated with decreasing NAD+ and lowering oocyte quality, especially in females aged above 35. In addition, NAD+ triggers a group of proteases known as sirtuins, which have been associated with maintenance of DNA repair and defense against oxidative-related cell damage.

It seems that cellular energy metabolism also plays a role in the ovarian reserve, or the number and quality of the eggs that are left in the ovaries. NAD+ levels may potentially be useful in slowing biological aging of ovarian tissue, according to some researchers. It is, however, necessary to know that NAD+ is not a treatment and will not be able to undo existing age-related changes. What it can do is make your cells work at an increased rate, which they need.

What the Current Research Says About NAD+ and Fertility

Science of NAD+ and fertility is yet to be established, but the initial results can be desired to know. A number of preclinical studies with most of them being carried out on animal models have demonstrated that supplementing the levels of NAD+ can enhance egg quality as well as improve the possibility of successful fertilization. A more commonly cited type of research concluded that NAD+ supplementation of geriatric mice resulted in the quality of the oocyte, mitochondrial activity, and litter size.

In humans, the study is not so conclusive, chiefly due to the fact that the extensive clinical trials are still underway. Nonetheless, there has been an increasing interest by the reproductive medicine community. Other fertility may start using this NAD+ precursor supplement during their protocols especially among women of advanced maternal age.

It is also important to note that NAD is unable to work alone. It is a phenomenon as its effect relates to the larger cellular environment which is also entailed by antioxidant status, hormonal balance and the overall metabolic well being. Therefore, it will be more appropriate to consider NAD+ as a component of an overall approach to fertility than looking at it as a stronghold on its own.

Ways to Support NAD+ Levels as Part of a Fertility-Focused Lifestyle

There are a number of practical methods to work towards supporting the levels of NAD+ in the body, and most of them come naturally in a fertility-based approach to health.

• Diet: NAD + precursors are found in certain foods. These dairy products, fish, mushrooms and green vegetables are sources of nutrients that help in the building of NAD+. Besides, a decrease in processed foods and refined sugars can serve to preserve current NAD+ levels, as metabolic dysfunction is more likely to increase the rate at which NAD+ is depleted.
• Exercise: Intense exercise has been identified to elicit NAD+ production. There is no need to go extreme workouts in order to feel an improvement. A few times per week of moderate aerobic exercise and strength training can have a difference.
• Sleep: Good sleep also promotes circadian rhythm that closely relates to NAD+ metabolism. Insomnia interferes with this system and might make cells get old faster.
• Caloric balance: There is a decrease in NAD + levels with excess caloric intake and obesity. Eating well also helps you maintain a healthy weight as well as your NAD+ status.

NAD+ Precursor Supplements: NMN vs. NR Explained

Since NAD+ itself does not absorb effectively orally, supplements tend to utilize precursor molecules, which your body could then convert to NAD+. The two that have been most studied are NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and NR (nicotinamide riboside).

• NMN is a direct precursor to NAD+ and is absorbed relatively quickly. Some studies suggest it may raise NAD+ levels more efficiently, though the research is still accumulating.
• NR has a longer track record in human clinical trials and is well-tolerated by most people. Several studies have confirmed it successfully raises blood NAD+ levels.

The two are also available as over-the-counter drugs and it usually depends on how an individual reacts to them and the recommendation of a medical professional. How either will suit you varies upon dose, time, and formulation.

Important Considerations and Safety Factors Before You Start

The thought of incorporating any NAD+ precursor into your fertility plan involves a visit to the doctor or your reproductive endocrinologist, before proceeding. This is not even commonplace advice. It is actually crucial since supplement plans may also work against other medications, alter hormones or not be suitable to your particular health condition.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Pregnancy safety: It has not been well-investigated in humans whether NMN and NR are safe during pregnancy. The majority of medical practitioners advise discontinuation of the supplementation after pregnancy has been established.
• Dosage: No one single dose is universally accepted to be used fertility-related. Studies have used dosages ranging between 250 mg to 1,000 mg each day, although your provider can change this depending upon your needs.
• Quality matters: There is not the same level of regulation of the supplement industry as of pharmaceutical regulation. Search products that are tested by third parties in terms of purity and strength.
• Timeline: There is no quick fix to NAD+ supplementation. The majority of the protocols recommend a minimum of 3-6 months of continuous use before assessing the effect on the egg quality which is considered as a natural progression of oocytes development.

Keep this in mind to approach with realistic expectations. NAD+ support is a component of a wider fertility approach, and not a substitute to medical assessment or intervention.

Conclusion

NAD+ is a truly promising field of reproductive health research. The logos linking cellular energy, mitochondrial activity, and egg quality provides it with a logical basis that is supported by the emerging yet promising research. When you are creating a fertility-oriented lifestyle, the better your knowledge of how NAD+ fits in that image is, the better placed you will be to make sound choices with your healthcare team.