NADH supplement by Ray Sahelian, M.D. health benefit of NADH supplement

NADH stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. NADH is an activated form of the B vitamin niacin. I remember my high school biology class where I first tried to learn the complicated Krebs cycle and how energy in the form of ATP was derived from sugars, amino acids, and fats. I did recall coming across NADH, a coenzyme that helps in this complicated process of energy extraction. I never thought that someday NADH would be available as a supplement.

NADH (Enada), 5.0 mg, 30 Tablets - Source Naturals

The herbs in Mind Power Rx include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Mucuna pruriens, Reishi, and Rhodiola.  The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine, Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine.
Click the link above for NADH for more information

NADH: Making energy
The body, just like a car, needs fuel. Our primary source of fuel is through fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in our diet. After digestion in the stomach, foodstuffs are absorbed into the blood and circulate to various tissues and cells where they are broken down into even smaller particles. One of these is a two-carbon molecule known as acetyl. Enzymes help break down these fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into acetyl and they then help extract the final energy from acetyl. Enzymes also need helpers, and these helpers are called coenzymes. Most of the coenzymes are partly made from vitamins, such as vitamins E, C, lipoate, and riboflavin (vitamin B2). NADH, known as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a coenzyme, partly made from nicotinamide (vitamin B3).
   NADH, through a series of reactions with acetyl and oxygen, is able to produce energy. This energy is in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Therefore, a good supply of NADH optimizes energy production in the body. Another function of NADH is its ability to help transform an amino acid called tyrosine into the important brain chemical dopamine. Dopamine is involved in mood, energy, sexual drive, concentration, memory and muscle movement.
   NADH is normally found in meat, fish, and poultry. The content of NADH in fruits and vegetables is minimal.

The NADH claims
NADH was introduced to the US health market in 1995. There are claims that NADH can improve memory, athletic performance, slows the aging process, and is helpful in a variety of conditions including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and overall lack of energy.
   A small number of short term studies done with an oral form of NADH have shown slight to moderate benefits in regards to depression, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. An eight-week double blind study done at Georgetown University Medical Center found thirty percent of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome to benefit from 10 mg of NADH compared to eight percent of the controls. MADH may also be helpful in treating jet lag (see below). Birkmayer Laboratories of Vienna, Austria who organized all of these studies, are also involved in promoting their trademarked NADH product.

Dr. Sahelian's NADH Experience
Does NADH really improve energy, concentration, and mood? I have taken NADH on numerous occasions. Within an hour or two of swallowing a pill on an empty stomach in the morning, I notice an increase in alertness, wellbeing, vitality, visual clarity, and sexual interest. The effects last most of the day. However, I develop a tolerance to NADH if I take it regularly. I understand NADH is available as 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and recently as 20 mg. I don't think the NADH 10 mg and certainly the NADH 20 mg supplements are useful, they may cause fatigue after a few days of use rather than enhancing energy. Too much of a good thing is not so good.

NADH Research NADH Dehydrogenase NAD
Antioxidant activity of NADH and its analogue--an in vitro study.
J Biochem Mol Biol. 2004 Jul 31;37(4):416-21.
The antioxidant activities of NADH was evaluated in vitro. These results indicate that NADH can inhibit lipid peroxidation despite being hydrophilic. Nevertheless, membrane penetration is an important factor and limits its antioxidant activity.

Treatment of Alzheimer's disease with stabilized oral nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ( nadh ): a randomized, double-blind study.
Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2004;30(1):27-33.
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of stabilized oral reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ( NADH ) on cognitive functioning in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). NADH is a coenzyme that plays a key role in cellular energy production and stimulates dopamine production. In previous trials NADH has been shown to improve cognitive functioning in patients with Parkinson's disease, depression and AD. The present trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled, matched-pairs, double-blind, 6-month clinical study. Patients with probable AD were randomized to receive either stabilized oral NADH (10 mg/day) or placebo. Twelve pairs of subjects were matched for age and baseline total score on the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS). After 6 months of treatment, subjects treated with NADH showed no evidence of progressive cognitive deterioration and had significantly higher total scores on the MDRS compared with subjects treated with placebo. Analysis of MDRS subscales revealed significantly better performance by NADH subjects on measures of verbal fluency, visual-constructional ability and a trend to better performance on a measure of abstract verbal reasoning. There were no differences between groups in measures of attention, memory, or in clinician ratings of dementia severity. Consistent with earlier studies, the present findings support NADH as a treatment for AD.

Stabilized NADH (ENADA) improves jet lag-induced cognitive performance deficit
Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(17-18):450-4.
Current remedies for jet lag (phototherapy, melatonin, stimulant, and sedative medications) are limited in efficacy and practicality. The efficacy of a stabilized, sublingual form of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH, ENADAlert, Menuco Corp.) as a countermeasure for jet lag was examined. Because NADH increases cellular production of ATP and facilitates dopamine synthesis, it may counteract the effects of jet lag on cognitive functioning and sleepiness. Thirty-five healthy, employed subjects participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Training and baseline testing were conducted on the West Coast before subjects flew overnight to the East Coast, where they would experience a 3-hour time difference. Upon arrival, individuals were randomly assigned to received either 20 mg of sublingual stabilized NADH or identical placebo tablets. All participants completed computer-administered tests (including Cog Screen) to assess changes in cognitive functioning, mood, and sleepiness in the morning and afternoon. Jet lag resulted in increased sleepiness for over half the participants and deterioration of cognitive functioning for approximately one third. The morning following the flight, subjects experienced lapses of attention in addition to disruptions in working memory, divided attention, and visual perceptual speed. Individuals who received NADH performed significantly better on 4 cognitive test measures and reported less sleepiness compared with those who received placebo. No adverse effects were observed with ENADA NADH treatment. Stabilized ENADA NADH significantly reduced jet lag-induced negative cognitive effects and sleepiness, was easily administered, and was found to have no side effects. NADH dehydrogenase and NAD.

NADH Distributor information
Birkmayer USA, the largest distributor of NADH tablets in the USA and the world, has released a new formula NADH product which has Chlorophyll in all NADH size tablets – 2.5mg , 5.0mg and the 10mg. Birkmayer USA markets NADH as ‘CO-E1 NADH’ as NADH is co-enzyme #1 and is vital in the support of the energy system of the body. NADH creates ATP, which powers the brain, heart, muscles, nerves, immune system and cell repair.
“By combining both NADH and Chlorophyll we have a truly brilliant and real product to help many people, and we are truly excited to be able to provide this product” said Rachel Chandler, the Manager of Birkmayer USA.
   Dr. Sahelian says: I really don't know why chlorophyll was chosen to be combined with NADH. Not that chlorophyl is a bad supplement, it may have some health benefits, but I really don't see the rational for combining NADH and chlorophyll. It's a puzzle to me.

NADH emails
Q. I have been taking 50 to 300mg of 5-HTP for about 2 months at bedtime to help my sleep and depression. It definitely improved my mood but I still felt tired and achy so I added 5 mg of NADH first thing in the morning to my regime for one week so far. I've had a few serious bouts of depression after adding the NADH but a lot more energy. I find it's better if I alternate between the two. Also, I've become very constipated after taking the 5-HTP. Reading your website, and from experience of reducing the amount and consistency of 5-HTP, the grogginess is less. For your info, I found that taking 5-HTP actually increased my libido but that I've already become tolerant to that benefit. I find it relaxes me and reduces my negative thinking greatly. Reading your website, I'm pretty amazed at some of the horrific negative affects it has had on some people.

Q. How soon does NADH have an effect?
   A. I personally notice a sense of alertness and wellbeing within an hour or two of taking NADH on an empty stomach in the morning. Most people notice the effects within hours.

Q. Thanks so much for originally introducing me to NADH through your literature. I last took NADH 2 years ago. I am now trying to find the same form - 2.5mg NADH sublingual tablets. Do you know who manufactures it? (apparently, not Menuco). I'd prefer not to take the source naturals tablet, due to a very sensitive stomach -also, I had such a good prior experience with the sublingual. Thanks very much for your help, and I wish you continued success.
   A. You could do a google search for NADH 2.5 mg sublingual and find out.

Q. I understand that Source Naturals NADH 20 mg is available. Do you think NADH 20 mg is helpful?
   A. I don't see the need to take more than 5 or 10 mg of NADH supplement a few times a month. I'm concerned about side effects with a NADH 20 mg dosage.