Which type of athlete benefits the most from NAD+?
Between marketing promises and scientific reality, NAD+ generates significant interest among athletes. But can all athletes reap the same benefits?
Diving into the latest research to understand which profiles can truly enhance their performance with this supplement.
⏱️ Before you access the full article…
Discover in 2 minutes if your athletic profile aligns with the proven benefits of NAD+. This quick quiz will help you determine whether this supplementation is suitable for your sport, age, and goals.
✓ Based on recent scientific studies ✓ Immediate personalised results ✓ Just 6 questions
🏃 Are you made for NAD+?
Find out if your athletic profile can benefit from NAD+ supplementation.
Your NAD+ profile
- Improving Endurance NAD+ helps sustain more intense efforts over time, making it particularly beneficial for endurance sports like running.
- Effect on Ventilatory Thresholds Significant improvement in VT1 and VT2 thresholds, allowing you to maintain a sustained pace for longer before feeling breathless.
- Action Time The first noticeable effects typically emerge after 4 to 6 weeks of consistent supplementation.
- Security No serious side effects have been observed, even at high doses of up to 1200 mg per day.
- Impact on Recovery Studies report improved subjective recovery and reduced fatigue between training sessions.
- Target Audience Especially effective for amateur and semi-pro runners training 5-6 times a week.
- Synergy with Training NMN enhances physiological adaptations to exercise, amplifying the benefits of regular training sessions.
But what exactly is NAD+?
If you're an athlete looking to enhance your performance and recovery, you've probably heard of NAD+. NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is an essential coenzyme found in all living cells of our body. This molecule plays a fundamental role in cellular energy production and in numerous vital metabolic processes. Naturally produced by our bodies, NAD+ can also be supported through diet via its precursors such as niacin (vitamin B3), which is found in meats, fish, legumes, and whole grains. However, our levels of NAD+ naturally decline with age and the intensity of physical activity, which is why there is a growing interest in supplementation among athletes. If you wish to deepen your knowledge about this fascinating molecule, we have a dedicated article exploring in detail its nature and mechanisms of action.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 carried out by Liao and his team in 2021. They worked with amateur runners by testing different doses of NMN (a direct precursor of NAD+) at a dosage of 300, 600, and 1200 mg per day for a duration of 6 weeks.
The results are remarkable: a significant improvement in the aerobic capacity, with a dose-dependent effect (the higher the dose, the greater the effect)This improvement is directly linked to the increase in NAD+ levels within muscle cells.
Another fascinating study, carried out by Kim and his colleagues in 2022, looked at an aspect that is often overlooked: the timing of intakeBy comparing morning and evening intakes, they made a surprising discovery: taking it later in the day (after 6 PM) significantly enhances physical performance and sleep quality, likely due to alignment with our natural circadian rhythms.
Regarding the muscle strengthThe results are more nuanced. Studies show little direct effect on pure strength, but suggest improved muscular endurance and faster recovery due to the optimisation of cellular energy metabolism enabled by NAD+.
A particularly interesting point is the lack of significant side effects in all these studies, which is reassuring for long-term use.
How does NAD+ affect athletic performance?
Its main action is to optimise energy production at cellular level, while promoting recovery. Imagine your mitochondria (the powerhouses of your cells) like little factories: NAD+ is the fuel that allows them to operate at full capacity.
This essential coenzyme enhances their effectiveness by directly participating in ATP production reactions. (the energy molecule of our cells), which translates to improved energy production during exercise.
NAD+ also enhances the vascularisation 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 a quicker removal of metabolic waste.
One of the most interesting aspects concerns the recovery and sleep. Studies show that supplementation with NAD+ precursors, particularly when taken in the evening, enhances sleep quality and reduces feelings of fatigue. NAD+ notably affects the sirtuins (proteins that regulate our biological clock and cellular repair processes), which explains its positive impact on our recovery.
Now that we have this information and studies, we can establish a typical athlete profile for whom NAD+ supplementation would be a real BOOST.
Can I take NAD+ for my sport?
In light of research and the mechanisms of action of NAD+, four distinct athlete profiles stand out. Let’s explore in detail why some athletes may experience more pronounced benefits than others.Endurance athletes: the big winners
If you engage in the trail, the triathlon, the cycling or the long-distance running, NAD+ supplementation could become your best ally. The improvement in vascularisation and oxygen utilisation it provides aligns perfectly with your needs. Studies show a significant increase in ventilatory threshold (the moment when your breathing suddenly speeds up during exercise), allowing you to sustain more intense efforts for longer. Imagine being able to push past that infamous "wall" you hit towards the end of your run! If you're keen to learn more, we've put together an article on how NAD+ boosts your endurance and aerobic capacity.Athletes competing back-to-back
For those of you who engage in sports such as tennis, the football or the combat sports, recovery between matches is, as you might expect, crucial. Supplementing with NAD+, especially in the evening, enhances sleep quality and speeds up muscle recovery. During tournaments or intense championship phases, this advantage can be the difference between average performance and peak performance.Masters athletes (aged 40 and over)
After the age of 40, your NAD+ levels naturally decline by around 50% compared to your youth. This is where supplementation becomes essential! By offsetting this natural decrease, it helps you maintain your performance levels and recovery. Studies have shown particularly significant improvements in athletes over 50, especially in terms of muscle strength and endurance.Intensive phase athletes
During your intensive training cycles, such as training camps or specific workout blocks, supplementing with NAD+ can help you better cope with training loads. It optimises your recovery between sessions and helps you maintain a more stable energy level throughout the day, thanks to improved cellular energy production.
How to incorporate NAD+ into your workout routine?
If you're considering adding NAD+ supplementation to your routine, there are a few precautions to keep in mind: prioritise the evening servings (after 6pm for optimal results according to studies) and start with moderate doses before gradually increasing according to your needs and how you feel. The most researched and effective form for boosting NAD+ levels is the NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide), a direct precursor of NAD+, typically dosed between 250-300 mg to start. We've developed a calculator to determine your optimal daily dose of NAD+ to incorporate into your fitness routine!How much NMN should I take per day?
Your recommended dose
Our NAD+ DIX: The perfect supplement to enhance your performance
Le NAD+ DIX is specially designed to meet the needs of athletes looking to enhance 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 boost your NAD+ levels and deliver visible results. Scientific studies show that increasing NAD+ through NMN is particularly effective for enhancing endurance, recovery, and sleep quality—key factors for maximising your performance. With 600 mg of pure NMN per capsule, our product helps you reach the ideal dosage for optimal results, whether you're looking to improve your aerobic capacity or optimise your recovery after exercise. NAD+ DIX allows you to make the most of the latest scientific discoveries on NAD+, delivering visible results in your endurance, energy, and recovery. Give it a try and feel the difference.- Boost your NAD+ levels for enhanced cellular function
- Enhance your physical endurance and performance
- Helps to reduce fatigue and naturally boosts energy levels.
- Supports cellular longevity and overall health
- Lab tested for 99.9% purity and certified GMP and HACCP
- Vegetarian capsules with a high concentration of NAD
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
- Supplementing with nicotinamide mononucleotide enhances aerobic capacity in amateur runners. (Study showing improved running performance) 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 the effects on endurance via the 6-minute walk test) DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00705-1
- Effects of 12 weeks of nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation on sleep quality, fatigue, and physical performance (Study on the impact of the timing of NMN intake) DOI: 10.3390/nu14040755
