Why Nutrition Professionals Prioritise Healthy Aging Strategies
There are many reasons that clients book in for a consultation with a nutrition professional.
They might be looking for a nutritional approach to manage a specific health issue, such as IBS, psoriasis or weight management. More recently I have seen an increasing number of people seeking advice to optimise their diet and supplement regime with healthy ageing in mind, and seeking advice on how best nutrition might support healthy ageing.
Beyond Collagen: Addressing Common Aging Concerns Like Energy & Muscle Loss
We all know that the body changes as we age and commonly report familiar issues such as reduced energy levels, lack of concentration, muscle loss and poorer recovery times.
When I see a client, we’ll discuss how many of the changes they report are linked in part to how various proteins and enzymes wane over time. A familiar example is collagen, a protein involved in the structure of skin, ligaments, joints, bones and all connective tissue. It’s made in house, but how much we make reduces with age, and so we might explore the benefits of supplementing collagen to help maintain flagging levels.
The Science of NAD+: Fueling Cellular Energy for a Vibrant Life
But it’s not just collagen levels that can be affected by the passing years. Levels of NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a vital co-enzyme found in every cell, also decline over time. NAD⁺ plays a key role in cellular energy metabolism by supporting the processes that generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the form of energy that drives all bodily functions, from metabolism to movement. NAD⁺ is essential for cellular energy metabolism, supporting the processes that generate ATP in every cell.
What we eat is digested and processed, with glucose and nutrients extracted and distributed. But it is in the cell where these are utilised to make energy that NAD+ is especially important. In essence, every time that food is eventually converted into usable energy in the cells, NAD+ is involved.
In addition to this vital role, NAD+ supports the activity of enzymes known as sirtuins, often described as being associated with longevity pathways because of their role in maintaining cellular health over time. In short, NAD+ helps cells produce energy as well as in their repair and supports normal metabolic processes. Like collagen, NAD⁺ levels tend to decline with age. At the same time, NAD⁺ consumption may increase due to greater cellular stress and repair demands.
It’s likely that by the time we reach our 40s, NAD+ levels may have fallen by around 30–40 percent compared to early adulthood. By the time we get to the age of 60 and over, NAD+ levels can be half of what they once were, which can manifest in some people as flagging energy levels and reduced muscle strength.
Of course, these day-to-day health issues could be linked to several other changes, but supporting levels of NAD+ has many potential benefits, and supplementation could be considered.
Increasing NAD+ Levels: Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) & Cellular Energy
But NAD+ supplementation is not as straightforward as, say, getting a vitamin C or D supplement, as the NAD+ molecule itself is not especially stable nor is it well absorbed in the body. Instead, research has focused instead on precursors such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). These compounds are far more easily absorbed and, as they are converted into NAD+ within the body, they can be an effective way to top up the availability of NAD+.
Supplementing with NAD+ precursors has been associated with improved markers of cellular energy, mitochondrial function and metabolic health in both animal and early human studies.
The most important nutrient that acts like a precursor is vitamin B3, or niacin. It’s found in poultry, meat and fish as well as legumes, eggs and peanuts, although a targeted supplement delivers a welcome dose. An especially effective form of B3 is found in a patented nutrient called Niagen, which delivers Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), a naturally occurring form of B3, as 300mg niacin, which in turn supports NAD+ levels.
Optimizing Your Healthy Aging Diet with Solgar Supplements
You can find Niagen in Solgar’s much anticipated new Cellular Energy supplement. In this unique blend, you’ll also find B vitamins B12, B6, Riboflavin, Thiamine and Biotin. B12 and B6, together with vitamin C, nutrients that also are intricately involved and further support energy metabolism, making Solgar Cellular Energy especially useful in supporting energy levels associated with ageing.