Why NAD+ Matters for Intestinal Health
Key Takeaways
- NAD+ is essential for cellular energy production and healthy mitochondrial function.
- The intestinal lining renews rapidly, creating high cellular energy demands.
- Healthy NAD+ availability supports processes involved in intestinal barrier maintenance and renewal.
Every 3-5 days, the epithelial lining of your small intestine is replaced in its entirety. This ongoing renewal is no small feat as the small intestine in adults is on average about 20 feet long with a surface area of a full-size tennis court.
This architectural renewal process of the intestinal lining is energy dependent relying on mitochondrial health and function and its energy stores. Mitochondria are the energy factories inside cells and CEOs of cellular energetics and signaling mechanisms that determine the activities of tight junctions, gut microbiome-immune communications, and homeostasis. Recent cutting-edge research shows the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier and mitochondrial energetics depends on available NAD+ levels.
NAD+ and Intestinal Epithelial Barrier
NAD+ is an energy currency molecule that helps generate about 40% of the body’s ATP. In a healthy intestinal tract, adequate NAD+ levels and SIRT1 activity help maintain cellular homeostasis, regulate inflammation and cell signaling, support mitochondrial biogenesis and function, and preserve the integrity of the epithelial barrier and other tissues throughout the GI tract. SIRT-1 or sirtuins are deeply involved with anti-aging cellular mechanisms and depend on NAD+ levels to activate.
Decreased NAD+ levels and SIRT1 activity impair gastrointestinal health and function. As levels are depleted, a series of inefficiencies occur resulting in decreased mitochondrial biogenesis and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction. This impairs intestinal epithelial barrier integrity.
With age or health challenges, digestion and absorption of nutrients become less efficient. Increased production of inflammatory cytokines and immune dysfunction can occur that affects tissues outside of the gastrointestinal tract due to increased intestinal permeability.
Studies with NAD+ Support
Supplementation with NAD+ precursors was shown to improve energy dependent recovery mechanisms supporting renewal of the gastrointestinal epithelial linings.
Other research showed supplemental NMN, an NAD+ precursor, counteracted age-related gastrointestinal functional decline. Three months of continuous supplementation led to improvements in NAD+ levels, gut motility and intestinal lining lubrication and hydration.
NAD+ levels in the intestinal tract and throughout your body decline with age and during states of increased demand or loss.
Synergistic Team Players
NMN is a NAD+ precursor and when combined with other nutrients like resveratrol, pterostilbene, and coenzyme Q10, the effects on NAD+ levels are enhanced.
Furthermore, nutrients such as butyrate, vitamin D, omega-3 fish oils, and fiber are also in constant state of demand to help the ongoing architectural renewal and repair of the gastrointestinal tract. Mitochondrial supporting nutrients like those found in Mitochondrial Ultra may be combined with NAD+ Helper with NMN for more comprehensive mitochondrial support.
The small intestine and its epithelial barrier perform many essential functions. They continue the digestion of food and beverages, absorb nutrients and water, transport these nutrients into the circulatory and lymphatic systems, and move digestive contents through the gastrointestinal tract for elimination. These processes involving the tennis court size intestinal epithelial barrier are contingent upon maintaining optimal mitochondrial function and NAD+ levels.
It has been said, “You are what eat, digest, and absorb.” A deeper understanding now shows us that it is also how well your mitochondria function in your GI tract and the level of NAD+ energy currency. No matter your age, your gastrointestinal health and its underlying energetics are fundamental to health.
Additional Resources
Introducing NAD+ Helper with NMN: Advanced Support for Healthy Aging
Why Healthy NAD+ Levels Matter for Weight Management
Longevity Nutrients: How Sirtuins Support Healthy Aging
Leaky Gut Syndrome: More Than Just a Gut Problem
Nutrition & Lifestyle Support
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