NAD+: What Is It, and Why Are We Hearing So Much About It?
How a spark of curiosity led me down this week’s wellness rabbit hole
Stay curious
The idea for this week’s post started with one of those “Wait. What is that?” moments.
I was scrolling on Instagram when the ad with a well-known health and spiritual guru popped up, talking about a NAD+ supplement. He’s huge in the alternative medicine circle, so I was intrigued. Why was he selling capsules? But here’s the thing that got me: I had no idea what NAD+ even was.
What does it do? And do we really need to buy another supplement?
My curiosity was piqued. So I went down the rabbit hole, did some reading, and this post is the result.
As always, I’m sharing what I learned (not as a doctor or health expert), but as a curious person just like you. And I’m especially excited about the simple, food-based ways we can support this important little molecule in our bodies.
Because honestly? Staying curious and learning new things might just be one of the best wellness habits of all.
NAD+
Not an ingredient this time, but a fundamental molecule in our bodies.
So, what is NAD+?
Short for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, NAD+ is a molecule that lives in every cell of our bodies. It helps turn the food we eat into energy, repair damaged DNA, and regulate many processes tied to aging.
Scientists have known about NAD+ for over a century, but in the last 10–15 years, new research has shown just how important it is for keeping us feeling energized and resilient as we age.
Here’s the catch: our NAD+ levels naturally decline as we get older. And that decline is now being linked to all sorts of things, like fatigue, brain fog, slower metabolism, and more.
That’s why you might be seeing NAD+ supplements everywhere right now. Longevity experts, biohackers, celebrity wellness brands (and spiritual gurus) are promoting them.
While supplements might help in some cases, I was much more interested in how everyday habits, especially food, can play a role.
What NAD+ Does In the Body
Think of NAD+ as a quiet helper behind the scenes. Here’s a quick, simple list of what it does:
Energy production: Helps turn the food you eat into usable energy (ATP) inside your cells.
DNA repair: Activates enzymes that fix damaged DNA, which happens constantly from things like UV exposure, toxins, and normal metabolism.
Brain function: Supports neurons and brain cells, potentially protecting against cognitive decline.
Healthy aging: Plays a key role in controlling aging pathways in the body, especially through activating proteins called sirtuins (which help with cell survival and repair).
Inflammation control: Helps regulate inflammation and immune responses.
Stress resistance: Strengthens cells' ability to resist environmental stresses like toxins, pollution, and radiation.
How We Naturally Support NAD+
The good news is that we don’t necessarily need a pricey supplement to support NAD+; our bodies know how to make it naturally. We just need to give them the right conditions to do so.
Here are a few simple ways to keep NAD+ levels working for us:
✨ Move regularly. Exercise is one of the best ways to naturally boost NAD+ production.
✨ Sleep well. Poor sleep drains NAD+, while quality rest helps restore it.
✨ Eat NAD+ friendly foods. Think lean proteins, leafy greens, berries, and healthy fats. These provide the building blocks and antioxidants your body uses to make and protect NAD+.
✨ Mind your habits. Practices like intermittent fasting, heat therapy (like sauna or hot baths), cold showers or cold plunges (30 sec to 2 min), and sun protection can all support healthy NAD+ levels.
Quick Takeaway:
NAD+ is critical for life and health.
It naturally declines with age.
Boosting it could support energy, brain health, and aging, though human research is still catching up.
It’s not just a fad, but it's definitely a trendy focus in wellness and longevity right now.
NAD+ Friendly Berry + Matcha Smoothie
What you’ll need:
1/2 cup plain yogurt (whole milk is best)
1 scoop Naked Whey protein
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
4 frozen strawberries
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 teaspoon matcha powder
1 ¼ cups coconut water
How to make it:
Blend everything until smooth and creamy. No extra sweetener needed, the coconut water brings natural sweetness that balances the tart yogurt and berries beautifully.
Why it’s NAD+ friendly:
✅ Yogurt & whey: protein + tryptophan + B vitamins
✅ Berries: polyphenols → NAD+ pathway support
✅ Flaxseed: healthy fats → mitochondrial support
✅ Matcha: EGCG & polyphenols → NAD+ protection + activation
✅ Coconut water: hydration + subtle electrolytes
Why I loved it:
👉 The matcha blends right in—no green or brown color, no overpowering flavor.
👉 The result is a bright, refreshing, berry-forward smoothie with a pleasantly tart yogurt tang.
👉 Kid-approved, too!
Curious Blend: Berry + Matcha
I used to make matcha almost daily, usually blending it with pineapple or mango, fruits that play well with matcha’s green color and flavor. But I’d never tried it with red and purple berries before. I always assumed it would turn brown (like when I toss spinach into a berry smoothie).
To my surprise, it didn’t! The matcha blended right in—no change in color, and barely any taste. The smoothie still tastes bright, fresh and tart from the strawberries and yogurt, with just a subtle sense of that matcha “energy” underneath. It was my first time mixing matcha with berries, and now I’m curious to try more!
Oh, and the coconut water also shines, bringing a fresh tropical splash, perfect for summer.
Follow Your Curiosity
This week, let’s lean into curiosity. Pick anything you’ve been wondering about lately. Maybe it’s a health topic you’ve heard mentioned but haven’t explored. Maybe it’s a piece of history or culture you’ve always wanted to learn more about. Or maybe it’s something small and seemingly silly that’s been tugging at your attention.
Curiosity doesn’t have to be grand. It could simply mean being more present in conversation and wondering about the person across from you. Or even getting curious about yourself. Why do you feel drawn to certain things, or how a small change might shift your day?
Today’s edition was all based on curiosity, even the recipe! I mean, matcha and blueberry?
Whatever shape it takes, give yourself a little space this week to follow that curiosity. You never know where it might lead. 🌿
That’s all for today. Thanks for being here!
Until next time,
