Another critical function that NAD powers is DNA repair. Every day, our DNA faces constant damage from what we eat, how we live, and exposure to harmful toxins and even UV radiation from the sun. If left unrepaired, it can lead to mutations, malfunctions and even dreaded diseases like cancer. To combat this, the body uses PARP proteins to repair the damaged DNA.
PARPs need NAD to function.
NAD is critical for the function of sirtuins, the “longevity proteins”. Sirtuins are a family of seven proteins linked to longevity and considered pivotal regulators of lifespan and healthspan through their involvement in fundamental biological processes.
It plays a crucial role in the Krebs cycle, which is a series of biochemical reactions to release energy from nutrients like carbohydarates, fats and proteins. This takes place in the mitochondria, often referred to as the “powerhouse” of our cells. This cycle is essential for energy production, generating ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell.
ATP is vital for maintaining cellular functions, facilitating biological processes, and supporting critical muscle functions, including breathing and the heartbeat.
Sirtuins contribute to longevity by:
Naturally produced in the body, NAD+ is the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is a coenzyme found in all living cells and exists in the body as a redox pair.
NAD is a molecule involved in critical biological processes such as cellular energy and cellular repair that make life possible.
Glutathione is essential for liver health. The liver is constantly exposed to toxins and undergoes metabolic processes that generate harmful free radicals. Glutathione’s antioxidant properties protect liver cells from damage and supports the liver’s detoxification processes.
In addition, glutathione regulates liver inflammation. By reducing chronic inflammation, it lowers the risk of liver diseases, such as fatty liver disease, and supports healthy liver function.
Glutathione also aids in fat processing and elimination by supporting bile production, which is necessary for fat digestion and absorption. Through enhanced fat metabolism, glutathione further promotes overall liver health.
Glutathione is essential for immune health, supporting the function of T cells, B cells, and macrophages. Some studies also suggest that it may help disrupt the replication of certain viruses.
As we age, glutathione also helps address skin discoloration by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production, which reduces dark spots and uneven pigmentation. It also offers protection against UV radiation, helping to prevent photoaging.
Free radicals generated by environmental factors such as UV radiation, pollution, and toxins damage skin cells, leading to premature aging, wrinkles, and other skin problems.
By neutralizing free radicals, glutathione protects the skin’s delicate balance and prevents premature aging.
Glutathione plays a crucial role in managing inflammation, which is key in skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. By modulating the inflammatory response, it reduces redness, irritation, and other symptoms while supporting a healthy skin barrier for a youthful, radiant complexion. This contributes to improved skin texture, tone, and an overall vibrant appearance.
Dr. Kennedy is a Distinguished Professor in the National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Departments of Biochemistry and Physiology. He is the Director of the Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme in NUS and Director of the Centre For Healthy Longevity, National University Health System (NUHS). Prior to this, he was the President and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and he maintained a professorship there through 2020. He served as the Co-Editor-In-Chief at the journal Aging Cell from 2011 to 2021.
Dr. Kennedy is widely recognized for his contributions in the biology of aging and as a visionary committed to translating research discoveries into new ways to delay, detect and prevent human aging and its associated diseases. With a plethora of widely-cited research papers on aging and longevity under his belt, he is regarded as an expert in the science of gerontology.
Dr Stephen Lim is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Pharmacy at Curtin University and has more than 35 years experience in the hospital and commercial pharmacy sectors. His interest is mainly in research, drug safety and drug delivery, especially in the area of needle-less systems.
Dr Lim is also an expert in drug storage and extending the shelf-life of medication. He completed his Master thesis by looking at drug stability in the frozen state and has shown that intranasal fentanyl delivery is as effective as intravenous fentanyl.
Dr Lim obtained a Bachelor of Pharmacy (with distinctions), a Master of Pharmacy and a Ph.D. in Pharmacy in novel, drug delivery system from Curtin University.
Dr Iain Cook has more than 30 years of experience in the analysis of complex pharmaceutical and biological samples, with a background in pharmaceutical, veterinary, industrial and agrichemical industries.
Prior to his appointment as Chief Scientist, Dr Cook was the director of Chemical Analysis Pty Ltd. He also served as analytical chemist at ICI/Orica, where he specialised in nuclear magnetic resonance and led its Spectroscopy Group (NMR/FTIR/SEM-EDXA/NIR), and at PROBE Analytical thereafter.
Dr Cook obtained his Doctor of Philosophy in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Synthetic Organic Chemistry from La Trobe University.
Dr Janakan Krishnarajah is the Chief Operating and Medical Officer of iX Biopharma, parent company of Entity Health. In his capacity, he is responsible for iX Biopharma’s pharmaceutical and nutraceutical product development, including the design and implementation of clinical trial programmes. He also oversees the operations of the Group’s wholly owned certified GMP manufacturing facility in Australia.
Dr Krishnarajah was formerly the CEO and Medical Director of Linear Clinical Research Ltd, a leading Australian early phase clinical trials facility. He has extensive experience in phase I-IV clinical trials and has acted as Principal or Co-Investigator in over 100 Phase I/II clinical trials.
Dr. Krishnarajah graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Hons) from The University of Western Australia. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and Specialist in Clinical Pharmacology and Internal Medicine previously having worked as a Consultant Physician in Western Australia. He is also a member of Longevity Docs, an exclusive community dedicated to physicians pioneering precision and evidence-based practices in longevity medicine.
