How to Use Coenzyme 1 for Health

Coenzyme 1 is another name for a chemical called Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen, or NADH. It is the active coenzyme form of vitamin B3, or niacin. NADH occurs naturally in your body. It can also be taken as a supplement, mainly in the form of niacin or B3, though most people get enough niacin in the food they eat. NADH plays a vital role in your cells’ energy production and may help promote neurological health. Medically, NADH is commonly used to help fight fatigue, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, impaired immune function, and depression. It may also improve mental function and mood for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. ^{[1]XResearch source} Note that there are multiple supplements that can boost your NADH levels — these may be labeled as vitamin B3, niacin, niacinamide, NADH, or coenzyme 1.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Treating Medical Conditions with NADH

1
Take NADH to fight fatigue. People who suffer from energy-sapping disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia may benefit from NADH supplements. Specifically, NADH is involved in the production of another chemical called ATP that your cells need to produce energy. Talk to your doctor about taking NADH in a treatment regimen if you suffer from fatigue, especially chronic fatigue syndrome.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of Family PhysiciansOrganization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communitiesGo to source}
- Your doctor may recommend taking niacin so that your body can make NADH. They may also recommend 10 mg of NADH daily with water on an empty stomach.
- Further research is being done on the potential for NADH supplements to assist those who are chronically fatigued.
2
Reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Some of the drugs used to treat Parkinson’s may cause patients to have depleted levels of vitamin B3 (niacin). NADH supplements may also help remedy this depletion. Ultimately, NADH can help improve brain function in those with Parkinson’s disease, and thus reduce some of the disease’s symptoms.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
- Talk to your doctor about taking NADH if you have Parkinson’s disease. They may recommend 5 mg twice a day, potentially taken via injections.
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Those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease may suffer from diminished mental function. NADH supplements, however, may help reduce these symptoms. Talk to your doctor about taking NADH. They may recommend 10mg of NADH per day. Further research is necessary to confirm the benefits of taking NADH to treat Alzheimer’s.
Vitamin B3 (which, again, allows your body to make NADH) is known to help increase the levels of dopamine in your brain. Technically, dopamine and serotonin are the chemicals in your brain that allow you to feel happiness and contentment. Specific studies have tied NADH to a reduction in symptoms associated with depression. Supplementing with B3 or NADH may help people with depression. Talk to your doctor further about using NADH to treat depression.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Enough Vitamin B3 Safely

Some people also take these sorts of supplements as a general health and performance supplement. For instance, there are claims that this chemical boosts concentration and memory, and even improves physical endurance. No scientific studies have proven that NADH is either safe or effective when taken for these purposes.^{[5]XResearch source}
2
Eat food rich in Niacin. Most people get plenty of niacin and niacinamide, which the human body converts into NADH, from the food their diet. Make sure you’re eating plenty of foods that contain niacin, such as mushrooms, green peas, chicken, pork, beef, peanuts, and avocado. This will ensure that you do not become vitamin B3 deficient.^{[6]XResearch source}
- If you do not eat meat, consider taking a niacin or niacinamide supplement. Talk to you doctor about where to get health supplements.
- The amount of niacin you need daily depends on your age, gender and, for women, whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The maximum daily intake for any adult is 35 milligrams. ^{[7]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
- While eating a diet rich in niacin will help keep you healthy, NADH supplements provide a more aggressive treatment approach. Do not attempt to replace NADH supplements with dietary changes unless you are told to do so by your doctor.
3
Talk to your doctor about any supplement you take. There are various supplements that can ultimately boost your levels of NADH. These may be labeled as vitamin B3, niacin, niacinamide, NADH, or coenzyme 1. While these are very similar, you should talk to your doctor about which source makes the most sense for you. You also want to ensure you’re getting supplements from a reputable source.
- Get a recommendation for a specific brand of supplement from your doctor or pharmacist. The FDA does not regulate supplements, and they are often found to contain fillers or other ingredients not listed on the bottle. Look for supplements labeled “USP Verified” which means they been inspected by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention.
While a supplement bottle may advise certain dosages for daily intake, your doctor may advise different doses based on the reasons you’re taking the supplement. Always follow your doctor’s advice. Make sure to read any information printed on a supplement’s bottle. Here, you may find advice about taking a supplement with a meal or with a glass of water.
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