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FoundMyFitnessAuthor: Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D.
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#109 How To Boost NAD Levels To Fight Inflammation, Improve Recovery, and Slow Aging | Dr. Charles Brenner
Monday, 9 February, 2026
Get access to more than 200 episodes of my premium podcast (The Aliquot) when you sign up as a FoundMyFitness Premium Member Many symptoms attributed to aging are also consistent with chronic inflammatory stress and impaired NAD metabolism. Dr. Charles Brenner explains the mechanisms, the human data, and what interventions actually move the needle. He also cuts through the crowded world of NAD boosters, including oral NAD pills, NMN, NR, and NAD IV drips, clarifying what actually raises NAD in humans and what emerging research suggests about NR for lowering inflammation and improving recovery. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (05:36) Why disease states disrupt NAD levels (10:20) How coronavirus infection impacts NAD levels (13:34) Can diet and supplements artificially inflate NAD levels? (15:27) Why blood NAD might not show the full picture (16:59) How obesity and insulin resistance drain NAD resources (19:40) Does poor sleep disrupt NAD levels? (20:32) The anti-inflammatory effects of nicotinamide riboside (NR) (25:17) Can a single lifestyle change restore NAD? (28:01) Cognitive benefits of NAD precursors (31:37) Should you measure your NAD levels? (34:37) Does exercise boost NAD—and if so, which type? (36:39) Can NAD precursors speed exercise recovery? (39:14) Is acute sleep loss enough to lower NAD? (40:46) Does NR supplementation during pregnancy benefit offspring? (45:21) Safety of nicotinamide riboside during pregnancy (47:27) Could NR supplementation support fertility? (48:37) Shift work and jet lag—can NAD precursors help? (51:19) Morning or night—when should you take NR? (54:20) NAD supplements vs. precursors—what actually boosts NAD? (58:07) NAD IV drips—real benefits or just hype? (59:15) Oral vs. IV nicotinamide riboside—what's more effective? (1:00:44) Do oral NAD supplements genuinely raise NAD levels? (1:02:37) NMN vs. NR—does being 'one step closer' really matter? (1:05:44) Does the gut microbiome influence NAD production? (1:08:22) Could NR supplementation enhance immune function? (1:11:41) Can NR supplementation improve peripheral artery disease? (1:16:05) Can NR realistically reduce liver fat? (1:21:12) Does NR supplementation give athletes a recovery edge? (1:22:57) What's a safe dosage for nicotinamide riboside? (1:25:00) Resveratrol and pterostilbene—beneficial pairing or pointless stack? (1:26:35) NAD precursor supplements—why sourcing matters (1:28:48) Do NAD precursors increase cancer risk? (1:34:34) Is NR worth supplementing for healthy individuals? (1:38:56) From enzyme nerd to NAD pioneer (Brenner's origin story) (1:43:26) Simplifying NAD's role in energy and repair (1:50:13) Why DNA repair depends heavily on NAD (1:52:03) The PARP/NAD-consumption mechanism (1:54:42) NAD's role in gene regulation (1:57:02) Why NAD shortages hit the brain hardest Show notes are available by clicking here Watch this episode on YouTube
