Is NAD+ natural or synthetic?

November 19, 2025 •

4 min read

NAD+ is a naturally occurring molecule found in every living cell, fundamental for basic functions like cellular energy production and DNA repair. Whether the NAD+ we benefit from is natural or synthetic depends entirely on its source—the body's own production or a laboratory-made supplement.

Quick Summary

NAD+ is a naturally-produced coenzyme vital for cellular function, synthesized internally from dietary precursors. Supplemental NAD+ often comes from synthetic precursors, like NMN or NR, produced in a lab.

Key Points

Biological Identity: The NAD+ molecule that functions within cells is a completely natural coenzyme present in all living organisms.
Endogenous Production: Our body naturally synthesizes its own NAD+ from dietary precursors like tryptophan and vitamin B3 through complex internal pathways.
Supplemental Sourcing: The NAD+ in most supplements is not the direct molecule but synthetic precursors (e.g., NMN, NR) designed for better absorption.
Boosting Bioavailability: Synthetic precursors like NMN are used because they are more stable and can be more effectively delivered to cells than the larger, more fragile NAD+ molecule.
Synergistic Approach: A healthy diet and regular exercise can naturally boost NAD+ levels, complementing the effects of supplementation.
Decline with Age: The body's natural production of NAD+ decreases with age, which is why boosting strategies have become a focus of longevity research.
Synthetic Precursors: NMN, a synthetic precursor to NAD+, is readily absorbed and converted into NAD+ inside the body.

What is NAD+?

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a vital coenzyme present in all living cells. It plays a critical role in numerous biological processes, acting as a shuttle that carries electrons from one reaction to another in cellular metabolism. This function is essential for converting the food we eat into usable energy (ATP). NAD+ is also a crucial substrate for enzymes, such as sirtuins and PARPs, which are involved in DNA repair, gene expression, and cellular communication. A decline in NAD+ levels is associated with aging and various age-related diseases, which has spurred significant interest in ways to maintain or boost its levels.

The Natural Origin of NAD+

The NAD+ found within our bodies is produced endogenously through several metabolic pathways.

Biosynthesis Pathways

Our cells have sophisticated systems for creating and recycling NAD+:

De Novo Pathway: The body can build NAD+ from scratch using the amino acid tryptophan. This pathway is particularly active in the liver.
Salvage Pathway: This is the body's primary recycling method. It reuses the nicotinamide (NAM) that is a byproduct of NAD+-consuming reactions. An enzyme called nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) recycles NAM into nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), which is then converted into NAD+.
Preiss-Handler Pathway: This pathway uses nicotinic acid (a form of vitamin B3) to produce NAD+.

Dietary Sources of Precursors

We also obtain NAD+ precursors from our diet, which the body then uses to synthesize NAD+. These include:

Vitamin B3 (niacin) in its various forms (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) from foods like meat, fish, poultry, nuts, and whole grains.
The amino acid tryptophan, found in high-protein foods such as turkey and eggs.
Trace amounts of precursors like NMN and nicotinamide riboside (NR) are also present in some foods like milk, broccoli, and cabbage.

Synthetic Production for Supplements

While the NAD+ molecule itself is natural, the boost people seek through supplementation often involves synthetic or isolated precursors produced in a lab setting. Direct NAD+ supplementation is challenging due to the molecule's instability and poor absorption. Therefore, supplement manufacturers create more stable, smaller precursor molecules that the body can readily absorb and convert into NAD+. The precursors NMN and NR are prime examples of this synthetic approach.

NMN and Nicotinamide Riboside

NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and NR (nicotinamide riboside) are the most popular supplement forms for boosting NAD+ levels. They are highly bioavailable, meaning the body can absorb and utilize them efficiently. They act as intermediaries in the salvage pathway, directly supporting the body's own NAD+ production. While a form of NR is found naturally in cow's milk, the high concentrations used in supplements are synthetically produced for stability and consistency. The development of these synthetic precursors has been a significant advancement in longevity research, allowing for targeted increases in cellular NAD+.

Natural vs. Synthetic NAD+ Boosters: A Comparison

To understand the difference, consider the various ways to increase NAD+ levels, both naturally and through supplementation.


Feature	Natural NAD+ Production	Synthetic NAD+ Boosters (Supplements)
Source	Produced endogenously in all living cells.	Manufactured in a lab for stability and bioavailability.
Form	The active NAD+ coenzyme, regulated within the body.	Precursor molecules like NMN and NR.
Delivery	Synthesized internally from dietary precursors or exercise.	Oral capsules, powders, sublingual, or IV infusions.
Effectiveness	Maintained through healthy diet and lifestyle, but declines with age.	Designed to bypass age-related declines in production enzymes and raise levels more directly.
Cost	Free; part of a healthy metabolic process.	Varies depending on the precursor, brand, and delivery method.

The Role of Lifestyle in Natural NAD+ Boost

Beyond dietary intake, certain lifestyle factors have a profound impact on our body's natural NAD+ levels. These methods work by stimulating NAD+ production or reducing its consumption.

Exercise: Regular physical activity, especially high-intensity and aerobic exercise, has been shown to boost NAD+ levels by increasing cellular energy demands.
Caloric Restriction: A diet that limits calorie intake can lead to a natural increase in NAD+ levels, which is linked to potential longevity benefits.
Intermittent Fasting: The process of fasting and refeeding influences metabolic pathways that can raise NAD+ levels.

These natural methods complement the use of synthetic precursors by supporting the body's internal machinery for NAD+ maintenance and production. The use of supplements is not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle but can be an additional tool for those seeking to enhance their cellular health.

Conclusion

In summary, the question of "Is NAD+ natural or synthetic?" has a nuanced answer. The functional NAD+ molecule that powers our cells is undeniably natural and fundamental to all life. However, the precursors used in popular supplements like NMN and NR are predominantly synthetic, manufactured to provide an efficient way to boost the body's internal NAD+ stores. Lifestyle choices, including diet and exercise, can also influence natural NAD+ levels. This distinction is crucial for understanding how these products function and for making informed decisions about supplementation. For further reading on NAD+ research, a comprehensive review of the field is available at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website.

Frequently Asked Questions

NAD+ is the vital coenzyme that powers cellular metabolism, while NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a precursor molecule that the body converts into NAD+. Essentially, NMN is a building block for NAD+.

While NAD+ itself is natural, the precursors used in most supplements, such as NMN and Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), are produced synthetically in a lab to create a stable, bioavailable product.

Yes. Beyond obtaining precursors from diet, natural methods like regular exercise (aerobic and resistance training), caloric restriction, and intermittent fasting can all help increase your body's NAD+ levels.

Oral NAD+ supplements are not common because the NAD+ molecule is too large and unstable to be effectively absorbed through digestion. Precursors like NMN and NR are smaller and more stable, making them a more efficient delivery method.

Foods containing niacin (vitamin B3), like meat, fish, poultry, mushrooms, and whole grains, are excellent sources of NAD+ precursors. Dairy products also contain nicotinamide riboside.

Increasing NAD+ levels is associated with potential anti-aging effects, improved cellular energy production, enhanced metabolism, and support for DNA repair, which may protect against various age-related issues.

Trace amounts of NMN are naturally found in some foods like broccoli, avocado, and cucumber, but the concentrations are much lower than in supplements.