Can NAD⁺ Help People with Parkinson’s Disease?
If you or a loved one has Parkinson’s disease, you’ve probably heard about new research and supplements that might help. One that’s getting a lot of attention is NAD⁺ – a molecule that helps your cells make energy and stay healthy. Let’s take a look at what it is and why it might matter for Parkinson’s.
What Is NAD⁺?
NAD⁺ (short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is something your body makes naturally. It helps your cells turn food into energy and keeps them running smoothly. But as we get older – or when we have certain health conditions like Parkinson’s – our NAD⁺ levels go down. When that happens, our cells (especially brain cells) don’t work as well.
What Does This Have to Do with Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s disease happens when certain brain cells stop working properly and start to die off. One reason for this may be that the cells aren’t getting enough energy or are damaged by stress and inflammation. That’s where NAD⁺ might help – it supports the energy-making parts of cells (called mitochondria) and helps protect cells from damage.
What Does the Research Say?
Researchers have done some small studies to see if raising NAD⁺ levels could help people with Parkinson’s:
NADPARK Study: In this study, people with early Parkinson’s took a supplement called nicotinamide riboside (NR) – it helps your body make more NAD⁺. After just 30 days, the people in the study had more NAD⁺ in their brains and showed small signs of improvement. It was safe and didn’t cause serious side effects.
NR-SAFE Trial: This was another study using higher doses of the same supplement. It also showed that NR was safe and increased NAD⁺ levels in the blood. Some people even felt better – but more research is needed to know for sure.
How Might NAD⁺ Help?
Scientists think NAD⁺ may:
Give brain cells more energy
Help repair damaged cells
Lower brain inflammation
Activate “sirtuins” – special proteins that protect the brain and slow aging
Should You Try It?
Right now, NAD⁺ supplements like NR are still being studied. They look promising, but we don’t have all the answers yet. If you’re thinking about trying it, talk to your doctor first – especially if you’re taking other medications or managing a condition like Parkinson’s.
The Bottom Line
NAD⁺ might be a helpful new tool in fighting Parkinson’s disease. Early research is encouraging, and scientists are working hard to learn more. While it’s not a cure, supporting your brain’s energy and repair systems could be a smart step toward feeling better.
