Between marketing promises and scientific reality, NAD+ generates a lot of interest among athletes. But can all athletes derive the same benefits from it?
Dive into the latest research to understand which profiles can truly optimize their performance with this supplement.
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But what exactly is NAD+?
If you’re an athlete looking to optimize your performance and recovery, you’ve probably heard of NAD+.
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is an essential coenzyme present in all living cells in our body. This molecule plays a fundamental role in cellular energy production and many vital metabolic processes.
Naturally produced by our body, NAD+ can also be supported by diet through its precursors like niacin (vitamin B3), found in meats, fish, legumes, and whole grains.
However, our NAD+ levels naturally decrease with age and the intensity of physical activity, hence the growing interest in supplementation among athletes.
If you want to deepen your knowledge about this fascinating molecule, we have a dedicated article that explores its nature and mechanisms of action in detail.
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What do studies say about NAD+ in sports?
Scientific research on NAD+ supplementation (and its precursors) is promising and still relatively recent. Several studies have focused on specific populations, with particularly interesting results for athletes.
The most telling study for athletes is the one conducted by Liao and his team in 2021. They worked with amateur runners testing different doses of NMN (a direct precursor of NAD+) at 300, 600, and 1200 mg per day for 6 weeks.
The results are striking: a significant improvement in aerobic capacity, with a dose-dependent effect (the higher the dose, the more pronounced the effect). This improvement is directly linked to the increase in NAD+ levels in muscle cells.
Another fascinating study, conducted by Kim and collaborators in 2022, focused on a often overlooked aspect: timing of intake. By comparing morning and evening intakes, they made a surprising discovery: taking it in the evening (after 6 PM) significantly improves physical performance and sleep quality, probably due to synchronization with our natural circadian rhythms.
Regarding muscle strength, the results are more nuanced. Studies show little direct effect on pure strength but suggest better muscle endurance and faster recovery thanks to the optimization of cellular energy metabolism enabled by NAD+.
A particularly interesting point is the absence of significant side effects in all these studies, which is reassuring for long-term use.

How does NAD+ affect sports performance?
Its main action is to optimize energy production at the cellular level while promoting recovery. Imagine your mitochondria (the powerhouses of your cells) as small factories: NAD+ is the fuel that allows them to operate at full capacity.
This essential coenzyme boosts their efficiency by directly participating in ATP production reactions (the energy molecule of our cells), resulting in better energy production during exertion.
NAD+ also improves vascularization of your muscles by stimulating the creation of new blood vessels. This improvement in blood circulation allows for better oxygenation of the muscles during exertion and faster elimination of metabolic waste.
One of the most interesting aspects concerns recovery and sleep. Studies show that supplementation with NAD+ precursors, particularly when taken in the evening, improves sleep quality and reduces the feeling of fatigue. NAD+ acts notably on sirtuins (proteins that regulate our biological clock and cellular repair processes), explaining its positive impact on our recovery.
Now that we have this information and studies, we can define a typical athlete profile for whom NAD+ supplementation would be a real PLUS.
Can I take NAD+ for my sport?
In light of the research and mechanisms of action of NAD+, four athlete profiles stand out particularly. Let’s see in detail why some athletes can derive more marked benefits than others.
Endurance athletes: the big winners
If you practice trail running, triathlon, cycling, or long-distance running, NAD+ supplementation could become your best ally. The improvement in vascularization and oxygen utilization it provides matches exactly your needs.
Studies show a significant increase in the ventilatory threshold (the point where your breathing suddenly accelerates during exertion), allowing you to sustain more intense efforts for longer. Imagine being able to push back that infamous “wall” you encounter at the end of a race!
Moreover, if you want to learn more, we have written an article on how NAD+ boosts your endurance and aerobic capacity.
Athletes competing in events
For those of you engaged in sports like tennis, football or combat sports, recovery between matches is, as you might expect, crucial. Supplementation with NAD+, especially when taken in the evening, improves sleep quality and speeds up muscle recovery. During tournaments or intense championship phases, this advantage can make the difference between average and optimal performance.
Masters athletes (40 years and older)
After 40, your NAD+ levels naturally decrease by about 50% compared to your youth. This is where supplementation makes sense! By compensating for this natural decline, it helps you maintain your performance level and recovery. Studies show particularly marked improvements in athletes over 50, especially in muscle strength and endurance.
Athletes in intensive phases
During your intensive training cycles, such as preparation camps or specific work blocks, NAD+ supplementation can help you better handle the training load. It optimizes your recovery between sessions and helps maintain a more stable energy level throughout the day, thanks to better cellular energy production.

How to integrate NAD+ into your sports routine?
If you are considering integrating NAD+ supplementation into your routine, some precautions are necessary: prioritize evening intake (after 6 PM for optimal results according to studies) and start with moderate doses before gradually increasing according to your needs and feelings.
The most studied and effective form to increase NAD+ levels is NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide), a direct precursor of NAD+, generally dosed between 250-300 mg to start.
We have created a calculator to determine your optimal daily dose of NAD+ to add to your sports routine!
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Our NAD+ DIX: The ideal supplement to boost your performance
The NAD+ DIX is specially designed to meet the needs of athletes seeking to optimize their performance and recovery. Formulated with 99.9% pure NMN certified (GMP and HACCP) and produced through a unique manufacturing process, it ensures optimal absorption to effectively increase your NAD+ levels and achieve visible results.
Scientific studies show that increasing NAD+ via NMN is particularly effective in improving endurance, recovery, and sleep quality, crucial points for maximizing your performance. With 600 mg of pure NMN per capsule, our product helps you reach the ideal dose for optimal results, whether to enhance your aerobic capacity or optimize your post-exercise recovery.
The NAD+ DIX allows you to make the most of the latest scientific discoveries on NAD+, for visible results on your endurance, energy, and recovery. Try it and feel the difference.
Scientific publications on NMN and endurance performance
- “Effects of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Supplementation on Physical Performance Parameters” (A systematic review demonstrating physical improvements with NMN) DOI: 10.7759/cureus.65961
- “Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Supplementation Improves Aerobic Capacity in Amateur Runners” (Study showing performance improvement in running) DOI: 10.1186/s12970-021-00442-4
- “The Efficacy and Safety of β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) Supplementation in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults” (A study demonstrating effects on endurance via the 6-minute walk test) DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00705-1
- “Effect of 12 Weeks of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Intake on Sleep Quality, Fatigue, and Physical Performance” (Study on the impact of NMN intake timing) DOI: 10.3390/nu14040755