Qualia NAD+, a supplement containing nicotinamide riboside, trace minerals, trans resveratrol, coffee fruit extract, several B vitamins, and magnesium, was associated with significantly greater levels of circulating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in an unpublished study.

NAD+ is a coenzyme crucial for cellular energy production, and declining levels of NAD+ are considered to be a marker of aging. By the age of 40, the average person’s NAD+ levels are about half of what they were at age 20, according to Qualia. As a result. some consider the coenzyme to be a potential marker of longevity.

In the 4-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 63 men and women between the ages of 36 and 77 with an average age of 54.2 years took either two capsules of Qualia NAD+ or a matching placebo daily. The researchers assessed changes in NAD+ blood levels via self-administered finger stick tests that took place before and after the treatment period.

The NAD+ increase of 67% observed in the treatment group of this study is greater than what has been reported to occur when supplementing with nicotinamide riboside alone, suggesting that the additional ingredients can extend the benefits of nicotinamide riboside.

The participants also took part in questionnaires that included a general health survey, and male and female versions of a questionnaire that asked about common health challenges associated with aging.

Women who took Qualia NAD+ reported significant improvements in multiple domains of the Aging Female Symptom scale survey, which covers an overall score and subscores for psychological, somatic, and sexual health. Women who took Qualia NAD+ had a 19.5% decreased overall score (compared to 9.2% decrease in placebo group), 16.2% decrease in the psychological score (versus 3.1% decrease), and a 20.4% decrease in the somatic score (versus 9.9% decrease).

Similarly, the Aging Male Symptom scale involves an overall score, and subscores for psychological, somatic, and sexual health. However, none of the changes in the AMS scale survey were significant in the treatment group compared to the placebo group.

Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences between the placebo and treatment groups in a 36-item short-form survey,, which addressed physical function, joint and muscle discomfort, role limitations due to health problems, role limitations due to personal or emotional problems, emotional well-being, social functioning, energy/fatigue, and general health perceptions.

Boosting NAD+ levels has been challenging because it’s a large molecule that can’t be directly supplemented due to its lack of bioavailability. IV NAD+ treatments are prohibitively expensive to most people.  

“We’re thrilled by these clinical results, and we think it reflects our nuanced approach to helping the body produce and utilize more of this critical molecule,” said James Schmachtenberger, Qualia CEO. “We sought to support optimal conditions for the body to generate more of its own NAD+. The formula includes three different compounds the body can readily convert to NAD+, known as NAD+ precursors, along with ingredients that play specific roles in promoting the body’s NAD+ production. We couldn’t be happier with the results.”