The Preiss-Handler pathway begins with nicotinic acid. Typically, nicotinic acid is found in food but can also be consumed through a dietary supplement such as Hold On.
Nicotinic acid converts to NAD+ through three steps:
- the enzyme NAPRT converts nicotinic acid to nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NAMN).
- the enzyme, NMNAT, converts NAMN to nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide (NAAD).
- the enzyme, NAD+ synthetase (NADS) then converts NAAD to NAD+.
NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and it is one of the most critical molecules in our bodies – so critical that we would waist away without them. NAD+ serves some pretty important functions in our bodies:
- Helps convert food to energy more efficiently,
- Maintains DNA integrity,
- Makes sure our cells function properly to protect our bodies from everyday stressors, the aging process and disease.
This means that with the right number of NAD+ molecules (and a whole lot of other things going well), we can:
- Perform better in athletic competitions
- Go harder at the gym
- Recover better
- Digest food more efficiently
- Lose weight
- Have sustainable energy in the long term
- Revive our skin
- Boost your immunity.
Over time, our bodies have less NAD+ and so it means we work less efficiently.
To help us understand NAD+ imagine your body as a small town. In this small town there is:
- A power plant that generates energy to keep the businesses in the town running,
- An alarm clock shop that regulates our internal body clock, so we know when to sleep or be awake,
- A food processing plant that pulls all the good stuff out of food and turns it into energy for the town to do more,
- A DNA repair shop that fixes up cells that are damaged by pollution, disease or stop working properly because they’re old.
So, the question is “Who works in all those businesses?” The answer is electrons. Each of those important body businesses needs electrons to work.
The next question is “How do the electrons get to work?”
The answer is NAD+. This clever and super important molecule transports electrons to and from the power plant, alarm clock shop, food processing plant and DNA repair shop. Without NAD+ your electrons can’t do the jobs they want to do 24/7.
NAD+ carries the workers that fix and power your body.