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Hi,
I have a topic today that is for any of our athletes over 35. It's about energy, but not the carbs you use during your workout.
Without going deep into the science, it's about how we produce energy, aka ATP. I've personally been following the strategy below for the past few months. The end of last year, I just couldn't get my energy levels to where I wanted, I just felt like I was dragging. Two months of changing just one thing has made a big difference.
I said I wouldn't get too deep into the science, but you just need to know this part. To make ATP (energy) your body needs a molecule called NAD+. NAD+ is required for your mitochondria to produce ATP. Less NAD+ means less ATP. Less ATP means less energy, slower recovery, more inflammation.
You may have heard of it, as it is a big topic these days in the longevity community.
Your NAD+ levels drop by about 50% at the age of 40 compared to when you were 20. That's huge. By 50, you have dropped 80%.
It's also what activates your longevity genes (sirtuins) and DNA repair enzymes. So when NAD+ crashes, you're not just tired — you're aging faster at the cellular level. This is why the longevity folks are so crazy about boosting NAD+ levels.
Why I'm all-in on NAD+
When it comes to longevity, there are lots of great ideas floating around. But what I like about increasing NAD+ is simple:
- We know it has declined (by half at 40, by 80% at 50)
- We know it is critical to energy production (literally required for ATP)
- We know supplementation increases NAD+ (proven in 33+ human trials)
That's the trifecta for me to say "you should seriously consider taking this."
I've been experimenting with NAD+ supplementation for a while now, and looking back at my Apple Health and Whoop data, the pattern is clear: when I'm consistent, I maintain 4-5 quality workouts weekly. When I slack off, I'll have one good training day followed by 2-3 where I just can't bring the intensity I want.
When should you start?
You don't take NAD+ itself. There is no data I've found that says that works. Instead, you take a precursor to have your body produce more NAD+.
Harvard geneticist and longevity researcher David Sinclair put it best: "I take NMN every morning… I believe we should be doing everything we can to maintain our NAD levels as we age. The earlier you start, the more you're maintaining rather than trying to recover."
If you're over 35 and noticing your energy, recovery, or resilience isn't what it used to be — that's your NAD+ levels declining. The research says this starts in your 30s and accelerates through your 40s and 50s. Maintaining is easier than recovering.
So how do you actually do it?
I was listening to Rhonda Patrick's podcast last week with Dr. Charles Brenner — the scientist who discovered the NR pathway — and it crystallized the two main approaches.
1. NR (Nicotinamide Riboside)
As Brenner explains it: "NR is the most efficient NAD+ precursor because it enters cells directly through a dedicated transporter." The research backs him up. A brand new 2026 systematic review covering 33 human trials confirmed "oral NR consistently demonstrated biochemical target engagement and was generally well tolerated."
Worth noting: Brenner is ChromaDex's chief scientific advisor, and ChromaDex makes Tru Niagen. He's brilliant, but he has a financial stake in NR.
Two NR options:
- Tru Niagen — the gold standard. Niagen® from ChromaDex.
- Qualia NAD+ — same NR as Tru Niagen (ChromaDex actually provides it to Qualia), but adds B12, Resveratrol, and other longevity ingredients.
Tru Niagen is the original and the best value. If you want more, get the same dose of Tru Niagen with more longevity ingredients and resveratrol—get Qualia.
So you have to pick: just NR, or a broad-spectrum approach with NR + more.
2. NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)
David Sinclair has been championing NMN for years, and the human data is solid. A recent 80-person trial showed 600mg/day of NMN significantly raised NAD+ and improved physical performance. Biological age stayed stable in the NMN group while it increased in placebo.
NMN is one metabolic step closer to NAD+ than NR. And if you use a liposomal form, you get better absorption — the phospholipid coating protects it through digestion and delivers it directly to cells without going through your liver.
The Quicksilver NAD+ products (which is actually NMN, not NAD+) is the liposomal form you want and what I'm using.
Two NMN options:
Why not both?
Here's what I've been doing: I use both. NR converts to NMN, then to NAD+. NMN converts straight to NAD+. They feed the NAD+ production pipeline at different stages. There's no evidence they interfere with each other. And honestly, stacking NR with NMN is what's most important in my opinion — you're covering multiple pathways.
I take Tru Niagen daily as my foundation (just one capsule), and then 2 pumps of Quicksilver NMN and hold it in my mouth for 60 seconds.
We carry all four. Pick your approach.
Shop all NAD+ products and earn 20% Feed Cash.
Maybe you will live longer, but you will for sure have more energy to keep doing everything you love doing.
- Matt
Founder
The Feed.
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