You may have seen Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber talking about NAD+ in their wellness routines – the molecule everyone is calling the new “youth energy booster”. From luxury IV clinics promising cellular rejuvenation to supplements lining pharmacy shelves, NAD+ has quickly become one of the biggest buzzwords in the world of longevity.
But what exactly is NAD+ – and does it really hold the key to feeling more energised, ageing better and supporting your body from the inside out?
At the centre of the conversation is a molecule your body already knows well: NAD+, short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Unlike a trendy skin care ingredient or a new superfood, NAD+ naturally exists in every cell in your body, where it helps convert nutrients into energy and supports essential cellular processes.
Put simply, NAD+ helps your cells do their jobs.
The reason it has suddenly become the focus of the wellness world is because NAD+ levels naturally decline as we age. Research suggests levels can decrease significantly over time, with some studies indicating they may drop by around half by midlife. This decline has sparked interest among scientists, longevity experts and wellness enthusiasts who are exploring how supporting NAD+ levels may influence energy, resilience and healthy ageing.
And this is where the celebrity obsession comes in.
Hailey Bieber has famously spoken about receiving NAD+ IV drips, joking about wanting to “never age”, while longevity clinics around the world have embraced NAD+ infusions as part of the growing movement towards preventative wellness. The idea is appealing: instead of waiting until we feel run down, could we support our bodies at a cellular level before signs of ageing and fatigue appear?
However, NAD+ is not as simple as booking an IV drip and expecting a miracle transformation. The science is more nuanced.
While NAD+ itself has become the headline ingredient, many supplement formulas focus on its precursors – compounds that the body can use to help produce NAD+. One of the most talked about is NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), which research has explored for its role in increasing NAD+ levels in the body.
Think of NAD+ as the destination, and NMN as one of the pathways being studied to help get there.
This shift from quick fix health trends to cellular support reflects a bigger change in how we think about health. Just as skin care moved beyond simply covering imperfections to supporting the skin barrier, longevity science is moving beyond chasing energy boosts and focusing on how our cells function over time.
One brand tapping into this conversation is JSHealth, which recently launched its Cellular Longevity formula, NMN 500 + Resveratrol. The capsule combines NMN with resveratrol, an antioxidant compound often studied for its role in helping protect cells from oxidative stress.
“Ageing well truly starts inside your cells – where energy is created and resilience is built,” says JSHealth founder Jess Sepel. “That’s why we combined high purity NMN with enhanced absorption antioxidant resveratrol.”
The formula is designed around the idea of supporting cellular energy production while helping reduce free radical damage to body cells – a concept that has become increasingly popular in the longevity space.
Other Australian health brands are also entering the NAD+ conversation. The Mark Bouris-approved Melrose FutureLab has developed an NMN range, including capsules and powder formats, designed to support NAD+ levels and cellular energy path ways. The brand’s approach reflects a growing interest in making longevity focused ingredients part of everyday routines rather than something reserved for high end health clinics.
For those looking beyond a single ingredient, all-in-one longevity supplements are also gaining attention. IM8’s Daily Ultimate Longevity formula combines multiple compounds, including an NMN NAD+ Energy Booster, alongside ingredients designed around areas such as cellular protection, metabolism and healthy ageing path ways.
But before adding NAD+ supplements to your daily routine, experts say it is worth remembering that longevity is not built in a capsule alone. Sleep, movement, nutrition, stress management and maintaining muscle mass remain some of the most evidence backed ways to support healthy ageing.
The rise of NAD+ represents a fascinating shift in wellness: we are no longer just asking how to look younger – we are asking how to help our bodies function better for longer.
And, while scientists and wellness experts are still exploring whether NAD+ will become the ultimate longevity breakthrough or simply another chapter in the wellness trend cycle, one thing is clear: the future of health is increasingly focusing on what happens beneath the surface – right down to the cellular level.
