NADH
In this section of the JFunk Lab we will be testing NADH a relatively new drug available from health food shops. It is supposed to have all kinds of benefits from improving athletic performance to combating chronic fatigue syndrome.
DJing at night and working all day there is only so much coffee you can drink so NADH may be the ultimate answer.
We will start off by explaining what NADH is and how it works, the supposed benefits and then move on to the results of our trials
What is NADH?
NADH, the body and mind energizer
by James South MA
NADH is the abbreviation used for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, one of the most important coenzymes in the human brain and body.
A coenzyme is the active, or working form of a vitamin. NADH is the reduced (electron- energy rich) coenzyme form of vitamin B3, while NAD is the oxidized (burned) coenzyme form of B3.
NAD and NADH are converted into each other in numerous different metabolic activities. In some metabolic reactions it is NAD which is the needed catalyst, with NADH a useful by-product, in other reactions the situation is reversed.
NAD and NADH also serve to activate various enzymes, NAD for example, activates alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase that are the two enzymes needed to detoxify the alcohol we drink into carbon dioxide and water.
NADH is the first of five enzyme complexes of the electron transport chain, where much of the ATP bioenergy that runs every biological process of our lives is formed.
NADH its vital chemical role
As already noted, NAD(H) is the coenzyme or active form of vitamin B3. The chemistry of NAD(H) is some of the most complex in the human body. NAD(H) is necessary to oxidize (burn) all foodstuffs (fats, sugars, amino-acids) into ATP bioenergy. There are three interlinked energy production cycles: the glycolytic (sugar burning) and Krebs’ citric acid cycles (aminos and fats are "burned" through the Krebs’ cycle), and the electron transport side chain.
A glycolytic cycle "waste" end product- pyruvic acid- helps power the Krebs’ cycle, while electron "sparks" released from the step by step slow "burning" that occurs in the Krebs’ cycle provide the fuel used by the electron transport side chain to generate much of the ATP bioenergy that literally powers our life. NAD(H) is involved in all of these different cycles, as well as in the conversion of the pyruvate end product of the glycolytic cycle into the beginning fuel of the Krebs’ citric acid cycle. It is NADH, which captures the electron "sparks" thrown off during Krebs’ cycle oxidation and shuttles them to the electron transport side chain energy production cycle.
Each unit of NADH is capable of generating three units of ATP energy. In a very real sense, NADH is the "energy of life" coenzyme.
NAD(H) is a relatively large and complex molecule, as coenzymes go. It is vitamin B3 (niacinamide) combined with a ribose (5-carbon sugar), a phosphate group and an adenine nucleotide (a DNA component). NAD(H) can be made in the liver and other cells from vitamin B3.
It can also be made from the amino acid L-Tryptophan at the "expensive" ratio of 60mg tryptophan for 1mg B3. Taking in exogenous (from outside the body) B3 or NAD(H) may spare the scarce amino acid tryptophan, which is the least plentiful amino in any normal diet. Tryptophan is the precursor of one of the most important antidepressant neurotransmitters, serotonin.
What are the benefits
Improves production of serotonin
In the central nervous system, serotonin is believed to play an important role as a neurotransmitter, in the modulation of anger, aggression, body temperature, mood, sexuality, and appetite.
If you are deprived of sleep your serotonin levels fall and you can find your self getting a bit ratty and moody.
Improves Adrenaline levels
Caffine and other stimulants normally work by making your body release more adrenaline. But there is only so much available and eventually you start to run out. This is when you get that crash - you feel exhausted and no amount of coffee will perk you up. Because NADH helps to replenish your adrenal system it stops you from feeling so tired without that crash afterwards. It can also help you recover from adrenaline depletion much quicker so after a night on the vodka and red bull it should help you feel better the next day.
Protects the liver from alcohol damage
This is pretty self explanatory and probably quite beneficial to anyone who works or plays in night clubs and bars.
Protects against alcohol-induced inhibition of testosterone biosynthesis
Among other things NADH can help prevent alcohol-induced MAN BOOBS!
Lowers blood cholesterol levels and overall blood pressure
This helps keep you healthy and fit and lessen the risk of hart attacks.
Acts as a memory enhancer
If you find your self constantly forgetting things ( like headphones ) NADH can enhance your memory and concentration.
Acts as an athletic performance and energy enhancer
Because NADH improves cellular energy a lot of athletes take it as a supplement. It can help you go further and faster whit quicker recovery times. So if you run out of poop on the dance floor half way through the night NADH can fix that to.
Prevents Jet Lag
If you find it hard to adjust to the time difference on your favorite party island than NADH is one of the best things to take. As it turns out, there was an exciting study published on NADH and its effect on jet lag that changed the way I travel forever. Thirty five healthy individuals participated in the double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. These thirty five individuals underwent cognitive testing on the west coast, and then flew overnight to the east coast, thereby experiencing a three-hour time change. Upon arrival to the east coast, half of the group was given 20 mg of NADH, while the other half was given an identical placebo tablet. All the participants, again, underwent cognitive testing. Those individuals who received NADH performed better to the level of statistical significance on the cognitive testing compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, the NADH-treated individuals had improvement in sleeping patterns with no ill effects from the nutrient.
I would just like to mention at this point that this is in no way a clinical trial, only six people were involved and results may vary for you.
Tiredness / Mood.
For this test we tried going out on three consecutive nights and doing our day jobs during the day. I know normally on the forth day you would expect to feel very tired and a bit down. For the test we took 10mg of NADH on the forth morning, half an hour before breakfast.
The NADH definitely took the edge off the everyone's tiredness. About half of us felt a strange sense of well being and a general brighter outlook on the day. The NADH was noticeably different from caffeine, no feelings of being " Wired " and no crash at lunch time.
Night out.
We all went out on a night of alcohol free fun. 20mg on an empty stomach before we went out to see what would happen. Well - not a lot really. Don't get me wrong everyone had a good night out and nobody had a hang over in the morning, but no noticeable increase in fun or dance longevity.
I certainly think it is worth keeping some NADH on standby in your medicine cabinet. It is perfect for when you need to be 100% mentally alert after a night out with none of the ill effects you get from too much caffeine
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