NAD+ Testing vs. Other Longevity Biomarkers: A Comparative Look
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In this article:
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Why NAD+ testing should be a staple in your longevity gameplan.
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How NAD+ testing can help you make more targeted adjustments to your diet, lifestyle, and supplement routine.
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Which other biomarkers are commonly used to measure aging.
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How NAD+ vs. biological age tests compare and why NAD+ testing is a fundamental starting point for optimizing cellular health.
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Why using NAD+ testing alongside other longevity biomarkers can provide a broader picture of your cellular health.
NAD+ Testing: The First Step in Your Longevity Gameplan
NAD+ plays a key role in almost every aspect of cellular health, including (1):
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Energy production
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DNA repair
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Metabolism
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Genomic stability
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Stress response
Not only can low levels of NAD+ speed up aging, but it also influences several other age-related processes measured by other longevity biomarkers. For example, low NAD+ is tied to mitochondrial dysfunction, which contributes to decreased energy production and increased oxidative stress, two hallmarks of aging. (2) NAD+ decline is also closely connected to epigenetic alterations (aka changes to the “switch” your body uses to turn specific genes on or off), which is measured through markers like DNA methylation. (3)
Because NAD+ is so intertwined with these pathways, testing your NAD+ levels offers a unique window into your cellular health. Plus, it’s a practical first step that can guide your approach to healthy aging and even help you fine-tune your strategy over time.
Beyond NAD+: Other Longevity Biomarkers
While NAD+ testing can be a powerful starting point, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Below, we’ll dive into a few other longevity biomarkers that offer more insight into how your body is aging.
Telomere Length
As you get older, your telomeres (the protective caps at each end of your chromosomes) gradually become shorter, up until they’re no longer able to function or divide. Measuring your telomere length can provide a closer look at how quickly your body may be aging at a cellular level. However, researchers point out that this only offers a rough estimate of your rate of aging, and other biomarkers may actually be more accurate. (4)
DNA Methylation
DNA methylation (also sometimes called an epigenetic clock) is one of the most advanced tools used for measuring biological age. It works by analyzing specific patterns of methyl groups attached to your DNA, which control how genes are expressed. Because these patterns tend to shift as you get older, looking for changes can give scientists a highly accurate estimate of your overall aging trajectory. (5)
Inflammation
Inflammatory markers, like C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), are another valuable set of biomarkers linked to longevity and inflammaging, or chronic, low-grade inflammation tied to aging and disease. By measuring these markers, you can get an idea of how hidden inflammation may be affecting your rate of aging. But because these markers are not specific to aging alone, they're best used alongside more targeted longevity biomarkers. (6)
NAD+ vs. Biological Age Tests
Biological age tests (including those based on DNA methylation or telomere length) are used to look at how your body’s cellular age stacks up against your actual age. These tests provide a broad, long-term view of aging by capturing cumulative damage or changes over time. But because these markers usually change very gradually, these tests might not reflect short-term shifts in your health or lifestyle habits.
That’s where NAD+ testing stands out. Unlike other longevity biomarkers, NAD+ levels are more dynamic and responsive, often rapidly shifting within weeks or months based on changes in diet, sleep, or supplementation. For this reason, NAD+ offers a more immediate snapshot of your current health, providing real-time feedback on how your choices are impacting your body at a cellular level.
Not only that, but NAD+ tests are also much more accessible and easier to repeat than other biological age tests, making them a practical tool for tracking changes over time and fine-tuning your longevity strategy as you go.
How NAD+ Testing Fits into the Bigger Picture
NAD+ testing can offer valuable insights into aging and longevity, but it’s even more effective when used alongside other biomarkers to give a full overview of your health. While your NAD+ levels provide a closer look at your current cellular health, other tests focus on long-term aging trends and your overall biological age. Together, these longevity biomarkers can help you track both short-term and long-term progress to make smarter decisions about your diet, lifestyle, and supplement routine.
Conclusion
Keeping tabs on your NAD+ levels can give you a clear look at your cellular health and how it’s changing in real time. Compared to other biological age tests, it’s also more accessible and easier to repeat, making it a much more practical option for monitoring changes and refining your routine. And when combined with other biomarkers, NAD+ testing can provide a fuller, more detailed picture of how your body is aging by capturing the immediate changes happening now, along with the long-term trends shaping your overall health.
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