The Better Longevity Supplement: Astaxanthin or NAD+?
By Dr. Kevin Passero
My patients are understandably focused on living long, healthy lives and are looking for natural solutions that can support their longevity. And as a result, I often get lots of questions about fads or trending products and supplements.
Over the years, resveratrol and fish oil have been popular topics, and lately I’ve been getting a lot of questions about NAD+.
So in this article I’ll specifically address NAD+ and explain why I strongly believe that astaxanthin is a much better alternative for promoting longevity, especially given the fact that scientific research has proven it to extend lifespan by 12%.
What is NAD+
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is found in virtually all living cells and is essential to sustaining life. It acts as an important co-factor in a variety of cellular processes including energy metabolism, DNA repair, immune response and the process of replacing old cells with new ones, often referred to as autophagy.
All of these factors play a critical role in aging, and NAD+ has been associated with other key factors related to anti-aging, including telomere preservation via the activation of sirtuins.
Scientists also know that levels of NAD+ significantly decline with age which can result in your levels being cut in half by the time you reach age 50. For this reason, it has been speculated that increasing NAD+ levels later in life could be a powerful way to activate various cellular processes that slow the aging process and improve lifespan.
Unfortunately, NAD+ is not a stable compound and cannot be given orally. This has led to the development and popularization of NAD+ precursors such as nicotinamide riboside as dietary supplements purported to support healthy aging.
Despite the hype, NAD+ precursors have not been scientifically shown to increase lifespan and there is considerable evidence showing that they may be actually dangerous. More on that in a moment.
Instead, I include astaxanthin as part of my daily health regimen and recommended this to my patients to promote health and longevity.
New research demonstrates that astaxanthin is by far the best longevity supplement available, extending lifespan in mammals by an amazing 12%. More on that in a moment.
What is Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring compound in the carotenoid family found in marine life. It is red in color and responsible for giving shrimp, salmon, lobster and flamingos their reddish-pink color.
It is a powerful antioxidant that has garnered additional attention as an anti-aging compound due to its ability to activate Nrf2, a powerful transcription factor that regulates the genes associated with cellular detoxification, energy production and neutralization of oxidative stress.
Nrf2 has been a focus of anti-aging research for years due to its critical role in protecting and prolonging cellular life.
In addition to its powerful effect on Nrf2, astaxanthin has been shown to regulate what is thought to be the master gene of aging, called FOXO3.
FOXO3 regulates key cellular activities related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and most importantly, programmed cell death of old and disabled cells.
In addition, studies have shown astaxanthins ability to positively influence the expression of two other key longevity genes called klotho and SIRT1. Klotho is closely tied to brain and neurological health, and its discovery is prompting new and exciting research into the prevention of age-related neurological conditions. And since astaxanthin is one of only a few antioxidants with the ability to cross the blood/brain barrier, it offers unique promise in supporting healthy cognitive aging.
The activation of these critical genes has catapulted astaxanthin to the forefront of anti-aging research and exciting new findings further demonstrate its potential for extending lifespan.
Important Similarities and Differences Between Astaxanthin and NAD+
Like astaxanthin, NAD+ is closely associated with several cellular processes that support healthy cellular aging, including reducing oxidative stress and activating sirtuins (proteins that regulate DNA repair and programmed cell death).
However, since NAD+ cannot be given orally you must rely on supplement precursors to support production in the body. The scientific evidence showing NAD+ precursors’ ability to extend lifespan varies, and safety data on using NAD+ precursors are mixed, with some studies showing increased cancer risk.
Astaxanthin is a stable compound that can be given as an oral supplement and has shown effective distribution throughout the body and within cells and mitochondrial membranes, proving its high oral bioavailability and stability.
And unlike NAD+ precursor supplements, astaxanthin has been proven through gold-standard research to significantly extend the lifespan of mammals. It is a powerful activator of both Nrf2 and FOXO3, giving it key properties that directly benefit cellular longevity. It has also been extensively tested and has an excellent safety record with no known side effects or risks, even when administered for long periods of time and in doses of 12 mg per day or more.
Breakthrough Research Proving Astaxanthin is The Best Longevity Nutrient on the Market
It is not often that new research comes along regarding a plant-based product that is truly groundbreaking, but this is exactly the case when it comes to astaxanthin’s potential benefits on longevity. To fully understand the magnitude of these new findings, you must first understand a few basic things about longevity research and the research center that made this amazing discovery.
The Interventions Testing Program (ITP) is a National Institute on Aging peer-reviewed program funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), specifically focused on identifying agents that extend lifespan. The ITP is widely recognized as the gold standard in longevity research, using lifespan as the primary endpoint in all its research.
Astaxanthin is THE ONLY antioxidant that can span the entire cell membrane, neutralizing oxidative stress outside the cell, within the cell membrane and inside the cell. No other antioxidant on the planet can do that, making it uniquely suited for life-extending capabilities.
The key reason why researchers at ITP have focused on studying astaxanthin is the fact that it is a potent stimulator of Nrf2, a key enzyme that regulates gene expression related to longevity.
In addition, it is stable and easily absorbed when given orally, consistently increasing blood levels. And just as important, astaxanthin has an excellent safety record in both animal and human studies.
Astaxanthin Demonstrates Life-Extending Properties in Mammals
Studying therapies that possibly extend lifespan using humans is almost impossible due to our naturally long lives, so it is generally recognized that mice are the best mammal models to study lifespan.
Researchers found that astaxanthin significantly extended lifespan in a diverse genetic mice population at three independent ITP research sites, proving its benefits are consistent and reproducible.
And it was not a small improvement, with astaxanthin showing a whopping 12% increase in lifespan!
This is a very important step indicating that the Nrf2 and FOX03 longevity gene boosting activity of astaxanthin does translate to increased lifespan in mammals.
And it beat out six other compounds that were simultaneously tested. In fact, astaxanthin stands as one of the only natural compounds ever proven by the rigorous ITP research standards to extend lifespan.
Why Astaxanthin is Simply the Best Natural Supplement for Longevity
You might be shocked to know that several natural products commonly advertised to help you live a longer life have all failed to show any value in ITP gold-standard longevity research. This list not only includes the earlier mentioned NAD+ precursor, nicotinamide riboside, it also includes widely touted and used nutrients such as fish oil, MCT oil and green tea.
And much hyped resveratrol has been tested by the ITP in three separate trials and failed in every one to show any longevity benefits.
Of the thirteen natural products tested in the past two decades, only three have shown benefit in ITP longevity studies. And among those three, astaxanthin is far and away the most powerful natural substance ever studied by the ITP, outperforming the other compounds by 200-300%, resulting in an incredible 12% increase in lifespan.
I Personally Take It Every Day Without Fail
Incorporating astaxanthin into your daily health regimen is a significant step towards enjoying a longer, healthier life. Durable LONGEVITY is the astaxanthin supplement I recommend to my patients, and I personally take it every day without fail.
It features an extra-strength 12 mg dose of patented Zanthin® astaxanthin in combination with a clinically proven 300 mg dose of Pomella® – a premium-grade pomegranate extract clinically shown to trigger mitophagy, a crucial process that cleans up and repairs dysfunctional mitochondria. Healthy mitochondria are essential for cellular energy production, and their optimal function is key to resilience, energy, strength and longevity.
To learn more about Durable LONGEVITY click here.
