How to improve your health and increase your lifespan!

by Ashleigh Feltham
Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist

There are endless articles talking about superfoods, but have you considered targeting specific foods containing a healthy enzyme to increase your health and potentially your lifespan? Nicotinamide Riboside (NAD+) is an enzyme that plays a role in potentially increasing both these factors.

Studies have shown as you age your levels of NAD+ decrease. By the time you are 50 years old, your levels of NAD+ are 40% less from when you were 20 years old. NAD+ enables the proper function of proteins in your cells called sirtuins. These proteins play a role in preventing age-related disease and dysfunction. When there is no longer enough NAD+ the results start to wreak havoc on your body in the forms of disease and risk of conditions like:

1. Loss of youthful skin
2. Increased fat levels
3. Loss of muscle
4. Depression
5. Heart disease and dysfunction
6. Loss of immune function
7. Diabetes
8. Fatty Liver Disease
9. Poor eyesight
10. DNA left unrepaired and damaged which can increase the risk of cancer
11. Death

There is good news. There is a factor that can be found both in supplement and food sources that may help replenish and maintain your NAD+ stores called nicotinamide riboside. This factor is found in food sources of Niacin (vitamin B3). The RDI for women aged 19 years and older is 14mg and for men 16mg. Foods that can help you get to this target include:

1. Tuna – 100mg of tuna has around 12 mg
2. Salmon – 100g of salmon has around 4.45 mg
3. Trout – 100g of trout has around 3.34 mg
4. Dairy milk – much higher amounts compared to most plant-based milk sources unless fortified with higher amounts.
5. Yeast
6. Chicken
7. Green vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, avocado, edamame and peas.
8. Tomato
9. Cabbage

The unfortunate news is food sources do contain limited amounts of nicotinamide riboside. However, with a varied diet and including good sources of vitamin B3 like the quality products by Safcol you will be giving your body the best health advantage.

Take home message

The key to endless life and health is not yet known but nicotinamide riboside may be one factor that may prove to increase your longevity and healthspan.

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