LA LABResearch Reference Document
Compound Guide
NAD+ — Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Quick Start
NAD+ is Not a Peptide
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme, not a peptide. It is grouped with research peptides in many injectable research contexts due to its availability as a lyophilised injectable powder. It is the same molecule regardless of formulation; "buffered NAD+" simply contains a pH stabiliser that reduces injection-site stinging.
What It Is
NAD+ is an essential coenzyme found in every cell. It is the primary electron carrier in cellular respiration (ATP production), a substrate for PARP DNA repair enzymes, and a regulator of sirtuin (SIRT1-7) longevity pathways. Cellular NAD+ levels decline with age, which is one rationale for NAD+ supplementation research.
Routes of Administration
Research studies use multiple routes: SubQ injection (50–100 mg 2–3× per week), IV infusion (250–1,000 mg per session, clinic-administered), IM injection, intranasal, oral precursors (NMN or NR — the strongest published human RCT base), and pre-mixed injection pens. Oral NR and NMN are the most evidence-supported delivery routes for systemic NAD+ elevation.
Regulatory Status
Injectable NAD+: not FDA-approved. Oral NR (Nicotinamide Riboside): classified as GRAS/NDI supplement in the US. Oral NMN: the FDA excluded NMN from the dietary supplement definition in 2022–2023. No WADA ban on NAD+ itself. For injectable research purposes only.
Dosing by Route
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SubQ (injectable) | 50–100 mg | 2–3× per week | Most accessible injectable route; some injection-site stinging common |
| IV Infusion | 250–1,000 mg | Weekly or biweekly | Clinic-administered; fastest delivery; common nausea side effect at high doses |
| Oral NR | 300–1,000 mg | Once or twice daily | Strongest human RCT base; GRAS supplement; converts to NAD+ in cells |
| Oral NMN | 250–600 mg | Once daily | 600 mg shows largest NAD+ rise (Yi 2022 dose-response RCT); excluded from supplements 2022–23 |
Buffered vs Unbuffered NAD+
Buffered NAD+ contains a pH stabiliser (e.g. sodium bicarbonate) that reduces the injection-site stinging experienced with unbuffered NAD+. The molecule and biological effects are identical. If stinging is significant with unbuffered, buffered formulations are worth exploring.
Using Your Pre-filled Pen
Ready to Use — No Reconstitution
The LA LAB NAD+ 1000mg Pre-filled Pen ships pre-filled and pre-mixed in a reusable dial-a-dose pen — no powder to mix, no BAC water, no drawing up. Attach a pen needle, dial your researched dose and inject SubQ. Each pen holds 1000 mg NAD+; at a typical 50–100 mg SubQ research dose that is roughly 10–20 doses per pen. Kit includes the reusable pen (pre-filled), 10 alcohol wipes and 5 pen needles.
Step-by-Step
01
Bring to room temperature
Take the pen from the fridge a few minutes before use and wipe the pen tip with an alcohol swab (10 included).
02
Attach a pen needle
Screw on a fresh pen needle (5 included). Remove the outer and inner caps and keep the outer cap for safe removal later.
03
Prime (first use)
On first use, dial a 1–2 unit test dose and press until a droplet appears at the needle tip — this clears any air from the pen.
04
Dial your dose
Turn the dial to your researched dose per the Dosing-by-Route table above. NAD+ can sting on injection — a buffered pen feels smoother.
05
Inject slowly, SubQ
Swab the site, pinch a fold of skin, insert at 90°, press the plunger fully and hold ~10 seconds before withdrawing. Inject SLOWLY — a fast NAD+ push increases stinging and flushing.
06
Remove needle & refrigerate
Unscrew and safely discard the needle after each use (never store the pen with a needle on). Re-cap the pen and store at 2–8°C, protected from light.
Mechanism of Action
ATP Production
NAD+ and NADH cycle as electron carriers in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. NAD+ accepts electrons from glycolysis and the TCA cycle, then donates them to Complex I, driving ATP synthesis via oxidative phosphorylation.
DNA Repair (PARP)
PARP-1 (poly-ADP ribose polymerase) uses NAD+ as a substrate to add poly-ADP ribose chains to DNA repair proteins at strand-break sites. Low NAD+ impairs this DNA damage response.
Sirtuins (SIRT1-7)
NAD+-dependent deacylases that regulate gene expression, metabolism, and stress response. SIRT1 deacetylates PGC-1α (mitochondrial biogenesis), FOXO transcription factors, and NF-κB. Sirtuin activity requires NAD+.
CD38 Consumption
CD38, an enzyme expressed on immune cells, is the primary consumer of NAD+ in aged tissue. CD38 levels increase with age and chronic inflammation, contributing to the age-associated decline in tissue NAD+.
Key Human Studies (Oral Precursors)
| Study | Compound | Design | Key Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martens 2018 | NR (Niagen) | RCT; 12 adults; 6 weeks | Whole blood NAD+ elevated 60% vs baseline; well tolerated |
| Conze 2019 | NR | RCT; dose-response | Dose-dependent NAD+ elevation; up to 2.7× at 1,000 mg/day |
| Dollerup 2018 | NR | RCT; 40 obese adults; 12 weeks | NAD+ elevated; no significant metabolic effect at this dose |
| Yi 2022 | NMN | RCT; dose-response (100/300/600 mg) | 600 mg/day produced largest NAD+ rise; dose-response relationship confirmed |
| Brakedal 2022 | NR | RCT; Parkinson's disease; 12 weeks | Significantly elevated brain NAD+ on MRS; tolerated in neurodegenerative disease context |
Storage
| State | Temperature | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-filled pen (sealed) | 2–8°C (refrigerator) | Per batch expiry on the pen | Store upright, protected from light; do not freeze the pre-filled pen |
| Pre-filled pen (in use) | 2–8°C (refrigerator) | Until finished, within batch expiry | Store with NO needle attached; re-cap between doses; keep out of light |
| Short-term (travel) | <25°C | Up to 48 hours | NAD+ is more heat-sensitive than typical peptides; minimise time at room temperature |
Disclaimer
This document is an educational research reference only. Injectable NAD+ is not FDA-approved. Oral NR and NMN have published human RCT evidence for NAD+ elevation but not for specific therapeutic outcomes. By purchasing from LA LAB you confirm you are 18+ and that products are for research purposes only.