|
NADH is a natural substance found in most life forms and is
necessary for energy production. NADH is located both in the
mitochondria and cytosol of cells. It is a dinucleotide comprised of
the nucleotide adenylic acid and a second nucleotide in which
nicotinamide, a B vitamin, is the nitrogenous base. NADH is a key
member of the electron transfer chain in mitochondria. The
nicotinamide moiety is the portion of the dinucleotide that
undergoes reversible reduction. NADH is the reduced form of the
dinucleotide. The passage of electrons along the electron transport
chain is coupled to the formation of ATP by the process known as
oxidative phosphorylation.
NADH is synthesized by the body
and thus is not an essential nutrient. It does require the essential
nutrient nicotinamide for its synthesis, and its role in energy
production is certainly an essential one. In addition to its role in
the mitochondrial electron transport chain, NADH is produced in the
cytosol. The mitochondrial membrane is impermeable to NADH, and this
permeability barrier effectively separates the cytoplasmic from the
mitochondrial NADH pools. However, cytoplasmic NADH can be used for
biologic energy production. This occurs when the malate-aspartate
shuttle introduces reducing equivalents from NADH in the cytosol to
the electron transport chain of the mitochondria. This shuttle
mainly occurs in the liver and heart.
NADH Medical
and Health Benefits
Nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide (NADH) is the active coenzyme form of vitamin B3. It
plays an essential role in the energy production of every human
cell.
Reports that NADH may stimulate endogenous dopamine
biosynthesis have led to its experimental use in Parkinson's
disease. Some favorable results have been reported in case studies
and open-label trials using both intravenous and oral NADH. In one
open-label study of 885 subjects with Parkinson's disease, half
received oral NADH and half received parenteral NADH with similar
results. Some 80% of patients were said to have benefited
clinically, with 19.3% showing good improvement, 58.8% moderate
improvement, and 21.8% non-responding. Younger patients and those
with the shortest duration of disease showed the most
improvement.
In the brain, increased NADH concentrations may
result in improved production of essential neurotransmitters. Large
preliminary studies using oral or injected NADH in connection with
Parkinson’s disease showed reductions in physical disability and in
the need for medication; however, a small, double-blind short-term
trial using injections of NADH found no significant effects. A small
uncontrolled study showed that oral NADH improved mental function in
people with Alzheimer’s disease. Preliminary research suggests that
NADH may also help people with depression or chronic fatigue
syndrome. These promising results come from research conducted by
the developer of the oral NADH supplement and require independent
confirmation.
Dosage and
Administration
Those who use NADH typically take
either 5 milligrams once daily or 5 milligrams twice a day.
Enteric-coated preparations are claimed to have better stability.
|
