If you are over 35 and searching for NAD+, you are probably asking questions like:

• What is NAD+ and why is it important?
  
  

• Do NAD+ supplements actually work?
  
  

• How do I increase NAD+ naturally?
  
  

• Is NAD+ IV therapy better than supplements?
  
  

• What is the best NAD+ supplement for energy and healthy aging?
  
  

You are not alone.

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is one of the most searched topics in longevity and performance because it is a molecule in every living cell of our body which is fundamental to energy production, metabolism, cellular repair, and healthy aging.

And by our 40’s, our NAD+ levels are often just half of what they were at age 20.

JJ Virgin is a best-selling author, triple-board certified nutritionist, and Fitness Hall Of Famer, whose influence on health and wellness, especially for women, has been singular. Now in her 60’s and going stronger than ever, JJ considers supporting her NAD+ to be non-negotiable.

And as we’ll highlight in a moment, she hopes you follow the science, and start supporting your NAD+ levels as early as your 30’s.

“I look for strategies that support the body at the cellular level. NAD+ is foundational to energy and better aging.” - JJ Virgin

WHY NAD+ MATTERS MORE AFTER AGE 35 

Like many signs of aging, declining NAD+ levels gradually creeps into our awareness.

Daily energy is less reliable. Recovery from activity takes longer. Focus feels harder to access.

“Getting older” gradually becomes something we can feel. 

These are often early signs that you NAD+ levels are slowly falling. 

You may know that your mitochondria are considered the “powerhouse” of your cells. But you may not know that NAD+ is the critical coenzyme that enables mitochondria to produce energy. Mitochondria simply cannot function without the presence of NAD+. 

In fact, without NAD+, we cannot live. So let’s take a moment to reflect on the full picture of all that this remarkable molecule does for our bodies.

WHAT IS NAD+?

NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is a coenzyme found in every cell in the body and it plays a critical role in:

• cellular energy production (ATP)
  
  

• mitochondrial function
  
  

• metabolic health
  
  

• cellular repair and maintenance
  
  

• healthy aging pathways
  
  

In simple terms, NAD+ helps your body turn food into usable energy and helps cells maintain resilience over time.

This is why NAD+ benefits are frequently discussed in connection with fatigue, performance, brain health, and longevity.

WHY NAD+ LEVELS DECLINE WITH AGE

One reason NAD+ is so widely discussed in longevity science is that NAD+ levels naturally decline with age.

This decline is influenced by several factors, including increased oxidative stress over time, higher demand for cellular repair, and reduced efficiency in NAD+ recycling pathways.

For many people, this decline shows up as a gradual shift in how they feel and function, particularly after the mid-30’s. 

But science is beginning to unlock ways to support your NAD+ levels, so this steep decline does not have to occur, allowing a key aspect of longevity to remain at prime levels deeper into life.

WHAT ARE NAD+ SUPPLEMENTS?

NAD+ supplements are dietary supplements designed to support NAD+ levels in the body. 

But supplementing the NAD+ molecule directly is not very helpful.

That’s because NAD+ is a large, fragile molecule. It is hard for the body to absorb and deliver into cells intact. And it often does not survive the digestive track.

Instead, the art of boosting NAD+ is through NAD+ precursors, which are nutrients your body can absorb and readily convert into NAD+ inside your cells.

Some of the most well-known NAD+ precursors include:

• Niacin (Vitamin B3)
  
  

• Niacinamide (Nicotinamide)
  
  

• Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)
  
  

This distinction matters because many people search “Is oral NAD+ effective?” and assume the supplement is trying to deliver NAD+ itself.

In reality, most high-quality oral NAD+ products focus on supplying precursors that support NAD+ production naturally. Learn how long it takes NAD+ supplements to work. 

WHY JJ VIRGIN USES QUALIA NAD+

JJ Virgin is known for combining science-forward thinking with real-life practicality.

She does not recommend complicated protocols that only work in theory. She focuses on easy, repeatable habits backed by hard evidence to support healthy aging for her large community. 

WHAT MAKES QUALIA NAD+ DIFFERENT?

Qualia NAD+ doesn’t “claim” that it boosts NAD+. Instead, it has clinically proven it.

In multiple double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, Qualia NAD+ was repeatedly shown to boost NAD+ levels in participants by an average of 67%.‡ 

That impressively large boost was achieved by crafting a formula that values the entire NAD+ production process in the human body with a unique attention to detail.

Qualia NAD+ starts by blending three of the most well researched NAD+ precursors ever discovered by science: Niacin, Niacinamide, and NR (as NIAGEN). It is rare for most NAD+ supplements to include more than one.

Beyond the three NAD+ precursors, Qualia NAD+ includes 11 additional ingredients that play key roles in helping to power energy metabolism, support key enzyme reactions, and create a “cell-ready” environment so your body can efficiently build, recycle, and use NAD+ day after day.*

This includes vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, magnesium (Aquamin® + trace minerals), trans-resveratrol, and organic Coffeeberry®.

All 14 ingredients work together to achieve the cellular environment in which NAD+ production can thrive, leading to the clinically proven results that JJ Virgin recommends to her clients and takes advantage of herself.

NAD+ IV THERAPY VS. NAD+ SUPPLEMENTS

A common search question is: NAD+ IV therapy vs NAD+ supplements, which is better?

The most honest answer is that it depends on whether you are seeking an occasional intervention, or a consistent solution..

NAD+ IV THERAPY

NAD+ IV therapy is popular in wellness clinics because it delivers compounds rapidly and has the appeal of “feeling” like a major intervention. The downside is that it is often very expensive, requires appointments, needles in your arm, and hours of sitting in a chair, each and every time.

There’s also safety concerns and legitimacy concerns, as many “NAD+ IV’s” have minimal regulatory oversight in assuring the potency and purity of what is actually in the IV drip. This puts more of a burden on a consumer to thoroughly vet the reputation and quality-control of the spa or clinic.

For all these reasons, NAD+ IV’s have some sizable drawbacks.

NAD+ SUPPLEMENTS

NAD+ supplements are far more practical for most people. It takes just a few seconds a day, it is far more cost effective, and with a clinically proven formula like Qualia NAD+, the consumer can be assured of its legitimacy. 

But not all “NAD+ supplements” are created equally. Just as you should carefully vet a spa or clinic when getting an NAD+ IV, you also should demand an NAD+ supplement to be clinically proven to boost NAD+ to rest assured that it actually works.

HOW TO INCREASE NAD+ (BEYOND SUPPLEMENTS)

Many people want to know how to increase NAD+ through lifestyle changes.

Some foundational habits that support NAD+ production include: consistent high-quality sleep, maintaining lean muscle through strength training, eating enough protein, and managing chronic stress load.

Supplements can support these habits, but they are not meant to replace them.

Instead, a good NAD+ supplement can make the foundation easier to maintain because energy and recovery are being supportive enough to not completely tank when we’re thrown out of our optimal lifestyle habits.

HOW TO TAKE NAD+ SUPPLEMENTS (BEST PRACTICES)

If you are looking for the best way to take NAD+ supplements, a few simple principles tend to matter most.

First, consistency matters more than occasional large spikes. A supplement offering steady daily support is the way to go.

Second, many people prefer taking NAD+ supplements in the morning, finding that the steady boost in energy is better suited to aiding daily production than settling in for sleep.

Third, track how you feel over a few weeks. People often notice changes in energy stability, focus, and recovery patterns. Don’t expect a life-changing new feeling in a day or two. But after several weeks, the difference to energy and vitality often becomes unmistakable.

FAQ: NAD+ SUPPLEMENTS & QUALIA NAD+

Is taking NAD+ orally effective?

Ingesting the NAD+ molecule directly does not survive digestion well, but most oral supplements do not deliver NAD+ directly, so in terms of taking the NAD+ molecule directly, that is not considered the most effective form of support. Instead, the use of precursors like niacin, niacinamide, and nicotinamide riboside (NR), which are efficiently absorbed and converted into NAD+ inside the cell, is more recommended. The right precursor-based strategies are well-supported by research and are effective at restoring and maintaining NAD+ levels systemically over time. 

Why is there caffeine in Qualia NAD+?

Yes, but a low amount (28mg’s per dose) or less than 1/3rd of a cup of coffee. Qualia NAD+ includes this small amount to support alertness, focus, and perceived energy. This can complement ingredients designed to support cellular energy systems.

For many people, this makes the experience more noticeable, particularly during the first half of the day. If you are sensitive to caffeine, it may help to take it earlier in the morning and adjust other caffeine sources.

What is NAD flushing?

“NAD flushing” is often confused with niacin flushing.

Niacin flushing can feel like warmth, tingling, or temporary redness of the skin. This can happen in some individuals depending on the form and dose of niacin, which is one NAD+ precursor pathway.

Not everyone experiences flushing, sensitivity varies, and while the flush itself is generally not harmful, consult your healthcare practitioner with any questions.

What’s the best time to take NAD+ supplements?

Most people prefer taking NAD+ supplements in the morning, especially if the formula includes caffeine.

Morning use can support daytime energy and focus and may be a better fit for work performance or training earlier in the day. To avoid potential sleep disruption, it is generally best not to take NAD+ supplements late in the day.

Is Qualia NAD+ effective?

Yes. In fact, Qualia NAD+ is clinically proven in multiple double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to increase NAD+ levels by 67% in just 4 weeks. It’s clinical success is achieved by blending three separate NAD+ precursors and 11 additional ingredients that are supportive to other aspects of the NAD+ production process.‡

Many people use Qualia NAD+ as part of a routine to support energy, mental clarity, metabolic resilience, and healthy aging after 35. Results vary by person and consistency matters.

FINAL TAKEAWAY: NAD+ STRATEGY FOR ENERGY & AGING AFTER 35

Through four New York Times bestsellers, and her podcast Well Beyond 40, which has achieved over 23 million downloads and counting, JJ Virgin has become a generational voice in aging powerfully, with her own thriving fitness and health in her 60’s bearing evidence to her insights.

With Qualia NAD+’s clinically proven results, it offers a new significant difference-maker for her readers and listeners, and personal clients, who are seeking to support energy, metabolism, cellular resilience, and healthy aging their foundation– the level of cellular health.*

The early signs of aging don’t shout. It’s a quiet voice hinting at a worsening standard of activity, focus, and vitality. Now in her 60’s with no signs whatsoever of her career slowing down, JJ Virgin is inspiring women and fitness enthusiasts to age on their terms by getting ahead of the aging process as early as possible. 

Qualia NAD+ has become an indispensable part of her daily routine. And if her own life trajectory is any indication, the type of small, easy habits she prioritizes can transform decades once thought of as “old”, into just an extra decade lived in thriving health.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

‡See full study results at qualialfe.com/nad-clinical2.