NMN, NAD+, cellular energy... Understanding all the keys to healthy aging

Living to be a healthy centenarian depends largely on protecting our cells from premature aging. The science of longevity shows that while genetics play a role, our lifestyle habits account for around 70% of our ability to reach old age in good health.^{3, 4, 5}

According to current research, we need to take care of our cells on a daily basis. It's never too late to take action! Start slowly and don't try to change everything at once!

Cellular energy: lifestyle habits that have a positive impact

Food: our cellular fuel

• Reduce calorie intake: Eating less (without deficiency) is one of the pillars. Stop before you're completely full.
• Focus on plants (Mediterranean diet): eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes and olive oils. Green leafy vegetables (spinach, cabbage) combat oxidative stress.^{3, 4, 5}
• Limit sugar and processed foods: These foods accelerate cellular senescence.

Intermittent fasting

• It activates autophagy, an internal "cleansing" process that allows cells to regenerate.
• Autophagy: The body uses fasting to recycle damaged cells and eliminate metabolic waste.
• Metabolic rest: by lowering insulin levels, the body learns to draw on its fat reserves and reduces systemic inflammation.^{3, 4, 5}

Physical activity and metabolism

• Move naturally: Without becoming an athlete, it's important to walk every day (or garden) and is more effective than intense, irregular gym sessions.
• Fight a sedentary lifestyle: Regular exercise (at least 3h/week) reduces inflammation, improves glucose management, increases "good" cholesterol (HDL) and helps burn off circulating triglycerides.
• Protecting muscle mass: Crucial for maintaining metabolism with age.^{3, 4, 5}

Stress and sleep management

• Quality sleep: This is when the brain and cells repair accumulated damage.
• Meditation and relaxation: Chronic stress promotes inflammation and cellular aging.
• Conscious breathing and meditation are powerful levers for protecting our cells. They act primarily by reducing cortisol (the stress hormone) and systemic inflammation, two major enemies of longevity.
• Nature immersion: A walk in the woods reduces stress and inflammation.

Protective lifestyle habits

• Stop smoking: Tobacco is a major factor in oxidative stress.
• Limit alcohol: Moderation is recommended.
• Socialization: Maintaining strong social ties is a key factor in longevity in the "blue zones" (regions of the world where people live the longest and in good health).^{3, 4, 5}

Targeted biological mechanisms

Taking these measures enables us to act on specific cellular processes.

• Reduce chronic inflammation: the main cause of age-related diseases.
• Reduce oxidative stress: Prevents cell degradation by free radicals.
• Cellular recycling (Autophagy): Eliminates damaged cellular components.^{3, 4, 5}

In short, the recipe for centenarians is not a miracle drug, but the sum of simple habits that can slow down the primary aging of cells.^{3, 4, 5}

Understanding cellular energy

Cellular energy refers to the biological process by which the body's cells convert nutrients from food (glucose, lipids) into a directly usable form of energy, in particular adenosine triphosphate (ATP).^{1, 6, 7, 8}

This essential process maintains life, ensures organ function and produces heat.

ATP, also known as energy "currency

ATP is the molecule that stores and transports energy inside cells to power all biological activities: muscle contraction, nerve transmission, protein synthesis and cell division.^{1, 6, 7, 8}

Microchondria

Most of this energy is produced in the mitochondria, often referred to as the cell's "power plants".

The mitochondrion is equipped with RNA (RiboNucleic Acid), which executes DNA orders. The presence of RNA gives the mitochondrion a high degree of autonomy.

RNA enables mitochondria to translate their own genes directly into proteins, without depending entirely on the cell nucleus.

• Self-repair: it can synthesize the enzymes essential for energy production (ATP) as soon as it needs them.
• Replication: This enables it to multiply independently in response to a sudden demand for energy (such as during physical exertion).^{1, 6, 7, 8}

Each human cell contains an average of 2,500 mitochondria (depending on cell type), which are involved in a number of essential functions, the main one being the production of ATP (adenoside triphosphate), our cellular fuel.^{6, 7, 8}

That's why we call them the "energy powerhouses of our cells". Their primary mission is to transform the carbohydrates and fatty acids in our food, as well as the oxygen we breathe, into energy.^{6, 7, 8}

The cellular respiration process

Cellular respiration is the series of chemical reactions (glycolysis, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain) that break down glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce ATP, carbon dioxide and water.^{6, 7, 8} Mitochondria use 90% of the oxygen we breathe.

What is the Krebs cycle?

The Krebs cycle is the "energy powerhouse" of our cells. Located in the mitochondria, it transforms the food we eat (carbohydrates, lipids) into usable energy, much as an engine transforms gasoline. It releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and produces ATP, the cell's fuel.⁹

Nutrients for ATP production

To produce ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), our body needs nutrients (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins), oxygen (for the aerobic pathway), vitamins B1, B2, B3, magnesium and lipoic acid (antioxidant).

In short, mitochondria (our cells) convert nutrients and oxygen into energy in the form of ATP.^{7, 8, 9}

How does cellular fatigue manifest itself?

When mitochondria no longer function efficiently, energy levels drop, leading to chronic fatigue, reduced cognitive capacity and signs of aging.¹⁰

As almost all cells contain mitochondria, this dysfunction can affect any organ, especially those that consume the most energy: muscles, brain, heart, liver and kidneys.¹⁰

Without ATP, muscles and neurons cannot function

In short, talking about cellular energy means talking about how our bodies transform "fuel" (food) into "energy" (ATP) to function.^{7, 10}

Cellular energy: the NMNSurge supplement from Natural Factors

"At Natural Factors we care about what surrounds us. We care about the origin and purity of our products. We care about being good stewards of the Earth. We care about the harmony future generations will need to maintain with the natural world to not only survive, but thrive."¹¹

NMNSurge is one of the most advanced products in Natural Factors' RegenerLife range. It is designed specifically for mitochondrial health and cellular energy.

This range is based on cutting-edge expertise to optimize the functioning of mitochondria, the "energy power plants" of your cells, in order to increase ATP production (the body's pure energy).^{3, 12}

Transform your life with more energy!

NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) is a metabolic "high-tech" molecule, as it is the direct precursor of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). This biologically active form of vitamin B3 is rapidly converted by the body into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a metabolite required for optimal energy production and cell renewal.^{3, 12, 13}

Here's why NAD+ is crucial for your cells

• Increases physical stamina
• Improves mental clarity
• Repairs damaged DNA
• Sirtuin activation: NAD+ (produced by NMN) activates sirtuins, proteins often referred to as "longevity genes". They act as maintenance agents, instructing cells to protect and repair themselves rather than divide haphazardly.^{12, 13, 14}

Natural Factors expertise

What sets their NMN apart is its purity and stability. NMN is a fragile molecule; Natural Factors guarantees a metabolically active form that survives digestion to reach your cells.¹²

Main benefits and actions of NMN RegenerLife

An observation

• From the age of 30 onwards, our NAD+ levels drop, and they can fall by almost 50% in the elderly, leading to aging.^{12, 13, 14}

Energy production (ATP)

• NMN is converted directly into NAD+ in your cells.
• Boosts mitochondria: Restores fuel to your internal energy factories.
• Fights fatigue: Increases overall physical energy and resistance to effort.

DNA repair and longevity

• NAD+ is essential for the body's maintenance proteins.
• Activates Sirtuins: these "longevity genes" regulate aging and protect cells.
• Genetic repair: Supports enzymes (PARP) that repair DNA damage caused by stress and the environment.

Cognitive functions

• The brain is the body's biggest energy consumer
• Mental clarity: Helps reduce "brain fog
• Neuroprotection: Helps keep neurons healthy in the face of age-related decline.

Metabolic health

• Insulin sensitivity: Helps the body better manage blood sugar.

Cardiovascular health

• Promotes supple blood vessels and improved circulation.^{12, 13, 14}

Why choose NMNSurge from Natural Factors?

• Guaranteed stability: NMN is pure and does not degrade before absorption.
• High absorption: metabolically active form for rapid conversion to NAD+.
• Formulation : Available in vegetarian capsules (150 mg), this product is GMO-free.

• Take it in the morning: NAD+ levels naturally follow your circadian cycle; taking it early supports your daytime energy.

NMN Surge is often recommended as part of a health program for whole-body rejuvenation.¹²

Aim for regularity: cellular health is built over time, not intermittently!

About the author

Marie Couture, Certified Naturopath

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References

1. Magnien Jean-Marie, Réduire au silence 100 maladies avec le régime Seignalet, Thierry Souccar, 2023, 363 pages.

2. Seignalet Jean, L'alimentation ou la troisième médecine, Impression Librairie (O.E.I.L.) François-Xavier de Guilbert, 2001, 582 pages.

3. https://healthfirstnetwork.ca/fr/blog/de-saines-habitudes-pour-une-vie-plus-longue/

4. https://lindamontpetit.com/epigenetique-et-vieillissement-influencer-tes-genes/

5. https://www.stannah.com/fr-ch/ressources/secret-longevite

6. https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/parties-corps/Fiche.aspx?doc=mitochondries-role-bon-fonctionnement-corps

7. https://www.lanutrition-sante.ch/la-medecine-mitochondriale-restaurer-lenergie-cellulaire-pour-prevenir-et-guerir/

8. https://www.codeage.com/fr-ca/blogs/education/mitochondria-and-nad-the-cellular-energy-story-that-aging-changes-most?srsltid=AfmBOorbwg1CF1NwuZlyySOfOFJJq7FXCglk_cwtWhYPzaYjJMQIFgUs

9. https://sherpas.com/p/svt/cycle-krebs.html

10. https://www.lechemindubienetre.org/mitochondries-energie-fatigue-solution-naturelle/

11. https://ca.naturalfactors.com/

12. https://ca.naturalfactors.com/fr/products/regenerlife-nmn-surge-150-mg-fr?_pos=3&_sid=98dbda967&_ss=r

13. https://medfuture.ca/blogs/blogues/le-mononucleotide-de-nicotinamide-nmn-un-pilier-des-supplements-naturels-pour-la-longevite

14. https://moleqlar.com/fr/blogs/longevity-fr/sirtuine-fr?srsltid=AfmBOoqIx6HO9QMg-27CJ1yPHuHHFwFFF50oN4z2yzrHyiiBlSZFp1Qz