Longevity.Technology’s supplement brand, FLT recently launched its first consumer product, LONGEVITY. Central to this is a collaboration with ChromaDex, a leader in NAD+ research and supplementation.
The partnership combines advanced longevity science with a commitment to evidence-based health solutions.
Rob Fried, CEO of ChromaDex, joined Longevity.Technology’s Phil Newman to discuss the latest breakthroughs in NAD+ research and what’s ahead for the industry.
The role of NAD+ in longevity
Fried emphasized the critical role NAD+ plays in cellular health. As a molecule essential for energy production, NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, contributing to various age-related conditions.
While diet and exercise remain fundamental to longevity, Fried asserted that elevating NAD+ levels is one of the most effective interventions available today.
“Stay very thin, move around every day, and elevate your NAD levels,” Fried advised, highlighting the three pillars of longevity.
He reinforced that the most effective way to boost NAD+ is through nicotinamide riboside (NR), marketed as Niagen, which ChromaDex has extensively studied and patented.
The science behind Niagen
ChromaDex has conducted more than 34 peer-reviewed clinical studies on NR, with approximately 40 more currently underway. The research has consistently demonstrated the safety and efficiency of NR in increasing NAD+ levels.
Fried pointed out that other NAD+ boosters, such as NMN, have potential safety concerns, including studies linking NMN to kidney stress and negative effects on CD38, a key enzyme involved in NAD+ metabolism.
Beyond safety, Fried explained why taking NAD+ directly is ineffective. “The NAD molecule is too large to enter the cell. It has to break apart, and one of the resulting molecules is NR, which then gets converted into NAD+ inside the cell.”
This makes NR the most direct and efficient way to raise NAD+ levels, avoiding the pitfalls associated with other approaches.
Expanding the applications of NAD+
While ChromaDex is widely known for its dietary supplement, Tru Niagen, Fried made it clear that the company is not just a supplement brand – it is an NAD+ company. The applications for NAD+ extend far beyond traditional supplementation.
One of the most exciting developments is ChromaDex’s move into pharmaceutical-grade NAD+ injections and IV treatments, a process that required FDA approval and years of research. “We recently launched this vertical, and it’s already proving to be significantly more effective than direct NAD+ infusions.”
Additionally, ChromaDex is exploring clinical applications for Niagen. The company received a rare pediatric disease designation for ataxia telangiectasia, a condition in which children experience rapid aging. “We already have one clinical study showing a therapeutic benefit, and we’re pursuing Niagen as a drug for this disorder,” Fried shared.
Beyond medicine, NAD+ research is opening doors in skincare. ChromaDex’s data suggests that increasing NAD+ levels in skin cells can improve elasticity, reduce age spots, and enhance overall skin brightness.
The Parkinson’s study and future research
Among the many clinical trials involving Niagen, one of the most anticipated is a four-year study on Parkinson’s disease being conducted in Norway.
With 400 participants, the study is evaluating whether daily NR supplementation can improve outcomes for those living with the disease.
While results are still pending, Fried expressed optimism given the strong early-stage data and the well-understood mechanisms of action.
“We understand that when you elevate NAD+, you also increase mitochondrial function,” he said. Given the role mitochondria play in neurodegenerative diseases, the results could be significant for millions worldwide.
The future of longevity science
When asked where he sees the longevity industry in five years, Fried suggested that scientific breakthroughs, particularly those powered by AI, could accelerate progress in ways we can’t yet fully grasp.
“We’re going to bend down to tie our shoe, and when we stand up again, we’ll be in a world we didn’t expect,” he said, hinting at the rapid evolution of medical research and technology.
Final thoughts
As ChromaDex continues to expand its research and product offerings, its partnership with Longevity.Technology’s FLT consumer brand marks a key step in making NAD+ supplementation more accessible to consumers.
Whether through dietary supplements, clinical applications, or next-generation delivery methods, the goal remains the same: to provide science-backed solutions that enhance healthspan and quality of life.
