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The NAD molecule is a central regulator of metabolism, NADMED test

The NAD molecule is a central regulator of metabolism that affects cellular energy production and DNA repair. Disturbances in its balance can lead to health problems.

NADMED

  • NADs and their derivatives (nicotinamide nucleotides) are key coenzymes in cellular energy metabolism, signaling, and DNA repair.
  • Glutathione is an important molecule that our cells use to neutralize oxygen radicals, which are harmful to the cell and are produced as by-products of mitochondrial function.
  • NAD levels have been found to be associated with various metabolic, muscular function, and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • The NADMED test enables the isolation and measurement of all four NAD derivatives and two glutathiones.
  • With the NADMED method, it is possible to measure these metabolites efficiently.

What is NAD?

The NAD molecule is an essential, central regulator of metabolism that exists in cells in four different forms: NAD+, NADH, NADP+, and NADPH. The balance between these forms affects, among other things, cellular metabolism, the conversion of nutrients into usable form, energy production, and the maintenance and repair of DNA.

Human cells produce NAD and its derivatives from different forms of vitamin B3 (niacin, nicotinamide, and nicotinamide riboside) obtained from the diet, as well as from the amino acid tryptophan. Cells also recycle used NAD molecules.

Since human comprehensive metabolism consists of hundreds of reactions regulated by NAD, long-term disturbances in NAD balance can cause various health problems. Different health issues can also affect NAD balance, thereby impacting other important functions in the body.

Low NAD level

Level Malnutrition can be the cause of NAD deficiency due to insufficient intake of vitamin B3. Vitamin B3 is obtained from animal products (meat, fish, eggs, dairy products), whole grains, and nuts. The recommended intake of vitamin B3 is 14 mg/day for women and 18 mg/day for men. In disease conditions, the amount of NAD+ or its ratio to other forms may be reduced, as various repair processes in the body consume NAD.

Reduced NAD levels (or NAD+/NADH and NADP+/NADPH ratios) have been observed in the following conditions or diseases:

Certain hereditary diseases such as mitochondrial muscle diseases and congenital NAD deficiency diseases can also cause NAD deficiency conditions.

High NAD level

The need for NAD can increase during prolonged fasting or exercise, which raises the NAD+/NADH ratio and activates energy metabolism and tissue repair.

Excessively high NAD levels have been linked to metabolic diseases and may result from excessive use of vitamin B3 supplements.

How to influence your NAD Level?

Good lifestyle habits promote the body’s NAD balance. Exercise raises NAD levels in the blood and muscles regardless of age, and regular exercise can elevate low NAD levels.

Different forms of vitamin B3 used as supplements (niacin, nicotinamide, and nicotinamide riboside) have been found to increase NAD concentrations in the blood. Vitamin B3 supplementation can be beneficial for raising low NAD levels, but it is important to ensure that NAD levels do not rise above the concentration favorable for cellular function.

NADMED test

Through Puhti, you can test your NAD level and gain information about your body’s NAD balance. The NADMED test enables the isolation and measurement of all four NADs and two glutathiones through a blood test. The NADMED method is an efficient way to measure these metabolites.

What does the NADMED test reveal?

The NADMED test can provide information on several diseases and health condition deviations related to disturbances in cellular energy production and metabolism.

Here are some examples where the NADMED test can offer valuable information:

The usability of the research results is still being studied. If your results are outside the reference value range, they may require further investigation into your general health status.

NAD tests are used, among other things, to assess possible overtraining and recovery related to oxidative stress and its phenomena in the body.

Mehiläinen’s Digital Clinic does not yet respond to questions related to NADMED tests.

FAQ

Vitamin B3 obtained from the diet is converted in our body into its active form, NAD biomolecules. A biomolecule is a molecule that is essential for the structure and function of living organisms. NADs (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides) are coenzymes that are essential for metabolism. NADs are found in every living cell. There are four different types of NAD: NAD+, NADH, NADP+, and NADPH.

Glutathione is a molecule that neutralizes harmful oxygen radicals produced as by-products of mitochondrial function in the cell. The level of glutathiones partly depends on the amount of harmful oxygen radicals, so glutathione levels indicate the body’s defense capability. Glutathiones belong to antioxidants, which are obtained, among other things, from the diet.

Through Puhti’s online store, you can order the NADMED measurement for yourself. After ordering, you will receive clear instructions for sample collection.

The NADMED measurement is significantly more efficient than other NAD measurements on the market, as NADMED can separate all four NAD forms from each other and measure their quantities accurately. Traditional NAD measurement methods are either expensive, slow, or inaccurate. The NADMED method offers a fast, accurate, and cost-effective way to measure all four NAD forms (NAD+, NADH, NADP+, NADPH) as well as glutathiones.

NAD+ Only – if you only want to know your NAD+ level. A low NAD+ level may be due to, for example, illness or inflammation.

NAD+/NADH – Provides information about your NAD+ and NADH levels and their ratio. These molecules are often measured together because they are oxidized and reduced forms of NAD, both of which are needed for healthy energy production. The NAD+/NADH ratio is a good indicator of mitochondrial and overall metabolic function.

NAD+/NADH + NADP+/NADPH – This test allows for the isolation and measurement of all four NADs. NADP+ and NADPH are phosphorylated forms of NAD and are particularly involved in anabolic reactions, such as the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol.

NAD+/NADH + NADP+/NADPH + GSH/GSSG – This test allows for the isolation and measurement of all four NADs and two glutathiones. Glutathione is an antioxidant that participates in preventing cell damage and maintaining resistance.

It is a blood test taken at Mehiläinen laboratories across Finland. The analysis of the NADMED method is done from whole blood.

No, you do not have to provide any background information. However, you can choose to note down medications, underlying conditions, such as diabetes, or questions and observations related to your energy levels, as this information can help understand possible variations in NAD levels.

The optimal sample amount is 150–200 microliters (μl), which is a very small amount. A microliter (μl) corresponds to 0.000001 liters, meaning 1 microliter is one millionth of a liter.

The NADMED test does not require fasting. You can eat and drink normally before sample collection. However, please avoid using caffeine and nicotine products before sample collection.

The results from the NADMED test are usually available within 10 business days after sample collection.

NAD levels are normalized by volume (final concentration is μM). The unit μM means micromoles per liter (micromole per liter). One micromole (μmol) is equal to one millionth of a mole, meaning 1 μM = 1 μmol/liter.

Article updated:
16 April 2025

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