NADH Supplements and Information
NADH is a natural substance found in most life forms and is necessary for energy production. NADH is located both in the mitochondria and cytosol of cells. It is a dinucleotide comprised of the nucleotide adenylic acid and a second nucleotide in which nicotinamide, a B vitamin, is the nitrogenous base. NADH is a key member of the electron transfer chain in mitochondria. The nicotinamide moiety is the portion of the dinucleotide that undergoes reversible reduction. NADH is the reduced form of the dinucleotide. The passage of electrons along the electron transport chain is coupled to the formation of ATP by the process known as oxidative phosphorylation.
NADH is synthesized by the body and thus is not an essential nutrient. It does require the essential nutrient nicotinamide for its synthesis, and its role in energy production is certainly an essential one. In addition to its role in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, NADH is produced in the cytosol. The mitochondrial membrane is impermeable to NADH, and this permeability barrier effectively separates the cytoplasmic from the mitochondrial NADH pools. However, cytoplasmic NADH can be used for biologic energy production. This occurs when the malate-aspartate shuttle introduces reducing equivalents from NADH in the cytosol to the electron transport chain of the mitochondria. This shuttle mainly occurs in the liver and heart.
NADH Medical and Health BenefitsNicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is the active coenzyme form of vitamin B3. It plays an essential role in the energy production of every human cell.
Reports that NADH may stimulate endogenous dopamine biosynthesis have led to its experimental use in Parkinson's disease. Some favorable results have been reported in case studies and open-label trials using both intravenous and oral NADH. In one open-label study of 885 subjects with Parkinson's disease, half received oral NADH and half received parenteral NADH with similar results. Some 80 of patients were said to have benefited clinically, with 19.3 showing good improvement, 58.8 moderate improvement, and 21.8 non-responding. Younger patients and those with the shortest duration of disease showed the most improvement. However, not all studies support theses findings.
In the brain, increased NADH concentrations may result in improved production of essential neurotransmitters. Large preliminary studies using oral or injected NADH in connection with Parkinson's disease showed reductions in physical disability and in the need for medication; however, a small, double-blind short-term trial using injections of NADH found no significant effects. A small uncontrolled study showed that oral NADH improved mental function in people with Alzheimer's disease. Preliminary research suggests that NADH may also help people with depression or chronic fatigue syndrome. These promising results come from research conducted by the developer of the oral NADH supplement and require independent confirmation.
Dosage and AdministrationThose who use NADH typically take either 5 milligrams once daily or 5 milligrams twice a day. Enteric-coated preparations are claimed to have better stability.