Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Rabih Wassel, MBBS, BSc, MSc, MRCS, MRCGP
Chief Medical Officer
NAD+ and Weight Management: Can It Support Your Weight Loss Journey?
GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy are the cornerstone of modern medical weight loss. But could NAD+ therapy play a supporting role? Here's what we know.
NAD+ and your metabolism
Your metabolism — the process by which your body converts food into energy — is fundamentally dependent on NAD+. Every time a cell burns glucose or fatty acids for fuel, NAD+ is involved as a key electron carrier in the mitochondria.
When NAD+ levels are adequate, your mitochondria function efficiently. When levels decline (as they do naturally with age), metabolic efficiency drops. This can contribute to:
- Reduced basal metabolic rate
- Less efficient fat oxidation (burning fat for energy)
- Greater tendency to store calories as fat rather than burn them
- Persistent fatigue that makes exercise harder
How NAD+ may support weight loss
The theoretical case for NAD+ in weight management rests on several mechanisms identified in preclinical research:
1. Sirtuin activation and fat metabolism
NAD+ is the essential fuel for sirtuins — particularly SIRT1 and SIRT3. These enzymes play a direct role in fat oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis (creating new mitochondria), and regulating the body's response to calorie restriction. In animal studies, boosting NAD+ activates these pathways and reduces fat accumulation.
2. Improved insulin sensitivity
Insulin resistance is a major driver of weight gain and difficulty losing weight. Research in mice has shown that NAD+ replenishment can improve insulin sensitivity — meaning your body becomes more efficient at using glucose rather than storing it as fat. A 2024 study in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications found that long-term NMN therapy (an NAD+ precursor) reversed age-related insulin resistance in older mice.
3. Energy for exercise
One of the most practical ways NAD+ may support weight loss is simply by improving energy levels. Many patients on GLP-1 medications experience reduced calorie intake — but maintaining an active lifestyle is crucial for preserving muscle mass and sustaining long-term results. If NAD+ therapy helps combat fatigue (as many users report), this could translate into more consistent exercise habits.
NAD+ alongside GLP-1 medications
This is where things get particularly interesting for our patients. GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) work by reducing appetite and slowing gastric emptying. They are phenomenally effective — our programme data shows an average weight loss of 21.55% over 10 months.
However, some patients report:
- Reduced energy while eating significantly less
- Difficulty maintaining exercise intensity during rapid weight loss
- Concern about muscle preservation alongside fat loss
NAD+ therapy may help address these specific challenges by supporting mitochondrial energy production independently of calorie intake. While no randomised controlled trials have studied this exact combination, the mechanistic rationale is sound — and patient feedback from those using both treatments has been encouraging.
Complementary, not a replacement: NAD+ therapy is not a weight loss treatment in its own right. It may best be understood as metabolic support that complements your primary treatment plan — whether that's Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, or our coaching programme.
The evidence so far
We believe in being transparent about where the science stands:
| Evidence type | Strength | Key findings |
|---|---|---|
| Animal studies | Strong | Reduced fat mass, improved insulin sensitivity, extended lifespan |
| Human studies (precursors) | Moderate | NAD+ levels raised; anti-inflammatory signatures; mixed functional outcomes |
| Human studies (injectable) | Emerging | Limited clinical trials; well-tolerated; efficacy data still accumulating |
| NAD+ + GLP-1 combination | Theoretical | No published trials; supported by complementary mechanisms |
Practical considerations
If you're considering adding NAD+ to your weight loss programme, here are some practical points:
- Timing: Many patients inject NAD+ in the morning to maximise the energy-boosting effects during the day
- Alongside GLP-1: There are no known interactions between NAD+ and GLP-1 medications — they work through entirely different pathways
- Nutrition matters: NAD+ works best alongside adequate protein intake and a balanced diet. Our GLP-1 Nutritional Support Range is specifically designed to support patients eating less while on treatment
- Exercise: If NAD+ helps your energy levels, use that energy! Even moderate daily activity significantly improves weight loss outcomes
Who might benefit most?
Based on our clinical experience, patients who seem to get the most from NAD+ therapy alongside their weight loss programme are those who:
- Report persistent fatigue while on GLP-1 medications
- Are over 40 (when natural NAD+ decline becomes more significant)
- Want to maintain or increase their exercise capacity during weight loss
- Are interested in a comprehensive approach to metabolic health beyond medication alone
Dr. Rabih Wassel
Chief Medical Officer • MBBS, BSc, MSc, MRCS, MRCGP
Dr. Rabih Wassel is a board-certified physician specialising in obesity medicine with over 15 years of experience in weight management and metabolic health.
