NAD+ and Menopause: Promising in the Lab, Unproven in Women
Graded Preliminary — a narrative review with no new data that mainly summarizes lab and animal findings; long-term clinical trials in women are missing.
- Design
- Narrative review
- Participants
- N/A
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NAD+ building blocks such as NMN looked promising in the lab, but long-term evidence in menopausal women is still lacking.
NAD+ is a molecule every cell needs to make energy and repair its genetic material. Its levels inside cells fall with age. A new review asks what this means for women going through menopause. The authors conclude that the idea is promising, but long-term evidence in people is still too thin to support it as a treatment.
During menopause, the hormone estrogen gradually drops. Women then become more prone to conditions that grow more common with age. The authors drew on studies from three large research databases. They describe how falling NAD+ may help weaken the cell's power plants and keep inflammation going. Ongoing inflammation and too much of an enzyme called CD38 appear closely tied to the loss of NAD+.
Building blocks of NAD+, such as NMN and nicotinamide riboside, looked promising in lab studies. In people, though, there are hurdles. The substances are unstable in the body, reach some tissues better than others, and responses vary widely. This review summarizes existing work and adds no new data. Whether NAD+ supplements help women in menopause, and whether they are safe, still needs clinical trials.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.