NAD+ Boosting Ingredients Showcase

NAD+ is one of the most exciting categories in longevity supplements right now -- and most brands are only seeing one piece of it. NMN has dominated the conversation, but it's just one ingredient in a much larger ecosystem. 

Founders who understand the full picture have a real competitive edge. Here's what that looks like.

In 2022, the FDA restricted it from use in dietary supplements, then officially reversed course in September 2025. It's back on solid ground. 

In this article, we’ll cover the entire ecosystem of NAD+ boosting ingredients, and give you three turnkey product ideas we can help your brand develop, right now. 

What Is NAD+, and Why Does It Matter?

NAD+ is a naturally occurring coenzyme found in every cell of the body. It helps convert nutrients into energy, repair damaged DNA, and enhance overall cell longevity. 

In other words, if there’s a power plant in every cell, NAD+ is a crucial piece of the fuel supply chain.

However, NAD+ levels decline by as much as 50% between early adulthood and middle age. This is a well-documented shift behind much of the cellular deterioration that comes with aging (PMC, 2022).

So, consumers (older adults, biohackers, and aging-conscious people) need ways to supplement that deficit. 

Ingredients That Raise NAD+

At a high level, there are two ways to influence NAD+ levels in the body:

1. Provide raw materials (precursors) the body can convert
   
   
2. Support the systems that use NAD+, making the whole pathway more efficient

Most brands will focus on just one, but there’s an opportunity in combining them as well.

Boosting NAD+ With Raw Materials

Let’s start with the most obvious lever. 

There are three naturally occurring NAD+ precursors we could supplement: nicotinamide riboside (NR), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), and niacin. 

All three ultimately feed into the same pathway, but get there in different ways. 

• Niacin converts directly into NAD+ over a three-step process. 

• NR is a molecule the body converts into NMN, which is then transformed into NAD+.

Additionally, NAD+ can be supplemented directly, skipping precursors and conversion steps altogether.

Brand founders can incorporate any of these ingredients into an effective product. The difference is NR and niacin have longer track records (and more competitors) while NMN presents an opportunity for “first-mover” advantage after the FDA approval change in 2025.

The Supporting Cast

Boosting NAD+ levels is only half the equation. 

Think of it like water pressure in a pipe: you can increase the supply all you want, but if the pipes are leaking or the valves are stuck, the pressure doesn't reach where it needs to go. 

The ingredients below fix the pipes.

• Trimethylglycine (TMG): NAD+ supplementation can overtax the body’s methylation cycle, leading to fatigue and brain fog. TMG acts as a methyl donor, refilling the body’s reservoir.
  
  
• Apigenin: Inhibits CD38, an enzyme that breaks down NAD+.
  
  
• Pterostilbene: Activates SIRT1, a NAD+-dependent deacetylase involved in cellular repair and longevity signaling. By doing so, it directly supports the body’s utilization of NAD+ for cell repair, inflammation regulation, and other longevity-related processes.
  
  
• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Works alongside NAD+ to produce cellular ATP, the energy powerhouse of the mitochondria.
  
  
• B-Vitamin Cofactors: NAD+ metabolism relies heavily on vitamins B2, B3, B6, and B12. Supplementing vitamin B enables reactions that convert precursors into usable NAD+. 

Can You Build an NAD+ Line Without NMN?

If NMN wasn’t an option, could you still compete in the NAD+ category?

Absolutely. 

Here are three product ideas Steuart Nutrition is ready to stand behind:

• Everyday NAD+ Energy Capsule: Built around NR and fortified with B-vitamin cofactors and CoQ10, this capsule could fit into your customer’s morning routine. Including precursors and supporting players translates the abstract idea of boosting NAD+ into energy levels people can feel on a daily basis.
  
  
• Burnout Recovery Stack: Takes the same NAD+ precursor foundation — NR — and incorporates ashwagandha and rhodiola rosea. These ingredients don’t directly interact with NAD+ pathways, but provide complementary benefits that aging-conscious consumers would find valuable: stress and anxiety reduction, improved sleep, mood, and physical endurance.
  
  
• Liposomal NAD+ Daily Shot: We’ve written about the value of liposomes before, but in short, they’re delivery mechanisms that boost absorption in the body: they help us get more bang for our buck. A ready-to-drink shot with liposomal delivery signals convenience, and quality, to consumers. 

Your Next Move

The market for NAD+ boosting supplements is growing. 

If you’re considering a new entry in the category, reach out for a free consultation. We’ll talk goals, your vision, and how we can get there. 

Ben Steuart is the co-founder and CEO of Steuart Nutrition, a contract manufacturing and supplement innovation partner for powder, liquid, and stick‑pack supplements. He launched the company in 2019 alongside his wife, Sarah, building on his lifelong roots in the food production industry, where he grew up working in his father's manufacturing business in Mabel, Minnesota.

Throughout his career, Ben has developed deep expertise in supplement manufacturing and business operations. At Steuart, he leads with a commitment to lean operations, fostering long-term partnerships, and delivering flexible, transparent service—prioritizing the client’s vision as much as his own. His leadership guided the business’s rapid expansion to help several brands double growth and expand into mass retail across the US.