Why I’m Not Buying Into the NAD+ Hype
Tracy’s Take
By Tracy Kanaczet
I might be in the minority here, but I’m not sold on NAD+ supplementation.
And honestly? At those price points, I’d rather invest in approaches that actually address the root cause.
The Problem With NAD+
Here’s the issue: NAD+ is a large, charged molecule, which means it can’t easily enter your cells.
So whether you take it:
Orally
IV
Subcutaneous
Your body still has to break it down into precursors like NR (nicotinamide riboside) or NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide).
Those precursors can enter the cell, and then your body rebuilds NAD+ inside the cell anyway.
So the question becomes:
👉 Why pay a premium for NAD+ if your body can make it from precursors?
But, First Are You’re Asking the Wrong Question
More importantly…why are we trying to add NAD+ in the first place?
If your NAD levels are low, something upstream is off.
Adding more NAD+ without addressing the cause is like:
👉 Pouring oil into a broken engine without fixing the leak.
You might feel a temporary boost, but you haven’t solved the real problem.
What’s Really Draining NAD?
Instead of jumping to supplementation, we should be asking:
Is there chronic inflammation?
Are you dealing with insulin resistance?
Is there mitochondrial dysfunction?
Are enzymes like CD38 or NNMT overactive due to oxidative stress?
These are the things that deplete NAD in the first place.
If You’re Exhausted…Pause Before Supplementing
If you’re:
Dragging in the afternoon
Low on energy
Feeling burned out
It’s tempting to reach for the latest “energy” supplement.
But before you spend the money, take a step back.
👉 Fix the engine first.
Because adding more “fuel” to a system that isn’t functioning properly won’t create real energy, it just delays the breakdown.
Focus on the Foundation
Before chasing NAD+, focus on:
Improving insulin sensitivity
Lowering systemic inflammation
Supporting mitochondrial health
That’s where real, sustainable energy comes from.
What I Personally Focus On
When it comes to supporting my mitochondria, I prioritize:
Peptides that support mitochondrial structure and signaling (like SS-31 and MOTS-c)
5 Amino 1MQ that helps block the enzyme NNM which depletes NAD+
Nutrients like ubiquinol for cellular energy support
And when I do use peptides, quality matters. There’s a wide range out there, and not all sources are created equal, so I stick with the only company I trust, Biolongevity Labs.
There are plenty of companies offering lower prices, but the real question is: what’s behind that price? Quality, sourcing, and guarantees matter, especially when it comes to peptides. If something seems cheap, it’s worth asking why.
I genuinely enjoy learning about peptides and sharing what I find with others.
If you’re interested, you’re welcome to use my referral code, TRACY15, at BioLongevity Labs for 15% off. I don’t earn a commission, but I do receive a small store credit toward my own purchases.
The Bottom Line
NAD+ isn’t magic, and it’s not a shortcut.
👉 If your energy is low, don’t just add more fuel.
👉 Figure out why your system is struggling in the first place.