Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide: the coenzyme every one of your cells relies on to turn food into energy.
- Full nameNicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
- TypeCoenzyme derived from vitamin B3
- Found inEvery living cell
- In Apollo XNAD+ Skin Patch – Advanced Wellness Patch
What is NAD+?
NAD+ is a coenzyme: a small helper molecule that enzymes need in order to do their jobs. It is built from two nucleotides joined together, one containing nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) and one containing adenine. Every living cell, from bacteria to the cells in your skin, muscles and brain, uses NAD+, and it is one of the most abundant and important molecules in human metabolism.
NAD+ exists in two main forms. NAD+ is the oxidised form, ready to accept electrons; NADH is the reduced form, carrying them. By constantly cycling between the two, the molecule works like a rechargeable shuttle, moving energy from the food we eat into the machinery that powers each cell.
A century of discovery
NAD+ was first identified in 1906, when British biochemists Arthur Harden and William John Young noticed that a heat-stable factor in yeast extract was needed for fermentation. Hans von Euler-Chelpin later worked out much of its chemical structure, and he and Harden shared the 1929 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on fermentation. In the 1930s, Otto Warburg showed how the molecule transfers hydrogen in metabolic reactions.
Over the past two decades, interest has surged again. Scientists discovered that NAD+ is not only an energy carrier but also a signal used by enzymes that help maintain and repair our cells, putting it at the centre of modern research into healthy ageing.
What NAD+ does in the body
Energy production. NAD+ is central to glycolysis, the citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain inside mitochondria: the pathways that convert carbohydrates, fats and proteins into ATP, the energy currency of the cell.
Cell maintenance and DNA repair. A family of enzymes called PARPs use up NAD+ when they detect and help repair damaged DNA. When DNA damage is high, PARP activity can draw heavily on the cell's NAD+ supply.
Sirtuins. Sirtuins are enzymes that depend on NAD+ to function. They help regulate how cells respond to stress, how they manage energy and how genes are switched on and off. Because sirtuins need NAD+, the amount available can influence how active they are, one reason NAD+ has become so prominent in longevity science.
Signalling. NAD+ is also used to make other signalling molecules involved in calcium regulation and communication between cells.
NAD+ and ageing
Studies in animals and humans suggest that NAD+ levels in many tissues tend to fall as we get older. The reasons are still being investigated, but likely include greater consumption by enzymes such as CD38 and PARPs, alongside changes in how efficiently the body recycles NAD+. Because so many essential processes depend on it, maintaining NAD+ has become one of the most active areas of healthy-ageing research.
Lower NAD+ is associated with ageing, but researchers are still working out how much of ageing it explains and what restoring it can achieve in people.
How the body makes NAD+
Your body produces NAD+ through three main routes:
- The de novo pathway builds NAD+ from the amino acid tryptophan.
- The Preiss–Handler pathway uses niacin (nicotinic acid), a form of vitamin B3.
- The salvage pathway recycles nicotinamide back into NAD+, which is how most NAD+ is maintained day to day. Precursors such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) feed into this pathway.
A severe shortage of vitamin B3 causes pellagra, a disease that was common in the early twentieth century and a reminder of how fundamental this family of molecules is.
Why delivery matters
NAD+ itself is a relatively large, charged molecule, and it is broken down in the digestive tract before it can be absorbed intact. This is why most oral products use precursors such as NR or NMN, and why some clinics offer NAD+ by intravenous infusion. Transdermal delivery is another approach: a patch designed to release its actives steadily through the skin over many hours, with no capsules, powders or needles.
The Apollo X NAD+ Skin Patch uses a three-layer design (a breathable protective film, a sustained-release active matrix and a gentle skin adhesive) so it can be worn for up to 8–12 hours.
What the research says, and doesn't
Human studies of NAD+ precursors have shown that supplementation can raise NAD+ levels measured in the blood. Results on wider outcomes such as energy, metabolic markers and physical performance have been mixed, and many trials have been small and short. Research specifically on transdermal NAD+ is at an early stage. We think the science is genuinely exciting, and we also think it is important to describe it honestly: NAD+ is a promising area, not a finished story.
Using the NAD+ Skin Patch
- Apply to clean, dry, relatively hair-free skin such as the upper arm, shoulder, upper back or abdomen.
- Press firmly around the edges, then remove the protective outer film.
- Wear for up to 8–12 hours, then gently remove and discard. Do not reuse.
- Use a different area with each new patch.
For external use only. Do not apply to broken, damaged or irritated skin, and discontinue use if irritation occurs. Full directions are printed on every box.
Frequently asked questions
Is NAD+ the same as vitamin B3?
No. Forms of vitamin B3 such as niacin and nicotinamide are building blocks the body uses to make NAD+. NAD+ itself is the finished coenzyme.
Will I feel it working?
NAD+ works at the level of cellular metabolism, so there is no particular sensation to expect. Experiences vary from person to person.
Can I use it with other Apollo X patches?
Apply each patch to its own site and follow the label for each product. If you take medication or have a health condition, check with your healthcare professional first.
This information is general and educational and is not medical advice. Apollo X products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always read the label and use only as directed. Speak with your healthcare professional before use, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition.