#20 – NAD, Longevity, and the Line Between Promise and Proof

NAD has become one of the most talked-about molecules in longevity medicine—showing up in supplements, IV clinics, lab testing, and bold claims about aging and healthspan. But what does the science actually show?

In this episode of The Trip Lab, we take a clear, evidence-based look at NAD and use it as a lens to explore the broader field of longevity medicine. We break down what NAD does in the human body, why it’s linked to the hallmarks of aging, and why declining NAD is often a signal of cumulative cellular stress rather than a simple deficiency.

We also dive into the realities of NAD testing, the limitations of blood-based biomarkers, and what clinical trials of NR and NMN supplementation have—and have not—demonstrated so far. Along the way, we unpack why longevity research is both exciting and vulnerable to overhype, and why translating aging biology into meaningful human outcomes takes time.

This episode is for anyone curious about longevity medicine who wants clarity without hype—and a better framework for thinking about promise versus proof.

For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet.

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LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ella-wood-do-aboim-060459287)

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