Oral Liposomal NAD+: Increases Intracellular NAD+ Levels by an Average of 64% in 14 Days
In recent years, NAD+ has undoubtedly become one of the hottest molecules in the fields of anti-aging and healthy longevity. From scientific laboratories to consumer markets, discussions surrounding it have never ceased. However, a core question has remained unresolved—
Can orally administered NAD+ actually be utilized by human cells?
In the past, the mainstream market opted for precursor substances such as NMN and NR, relying on the body's own metabolic pathways to boost NAD+ levels. Regarding direct NAD+ supplementation, many held a conservative stance: NAD+ has a large molecular weight and high hydrophilicity, making it prone to degradation by gastric acid and digestive enzymes after oral intake, with intestinal absorption and cellular penetration posing significant hurdles.
Now, a recent human clinical study has provided a different answer.
This non-randomized crossover study (published in Naturopathic Doctor News & Review) enrolled 14 healthy adults. Participants orally consumed two different formulations of liposomal NAD+ daily (both at a dose of 1000 mg) for 14 days, separated by a 3-week washout period.
The study measured intracellular NAD+ concentrations within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) rather than free NAD+ in plasma—a marker that better reflects actual cellular uptake and utilization compared to simple blood levels.
Key Data: Both liposomal formulations increased intracellular NAD+ levels by an average of over 64% compared to baseline, demonstrating extreme statistical significance ($p < 0.01$). The highest individual increase reached 129.1%. No product-related serious adverse events occurred during the study.
This is currently the first published human clinical study to demonstrate that oral liposomal NAD+ can significantly increase intracellular NAD+ levels in human cells.
Given that both involve oral NAD+, why was there past controversy while this study achieved clear positive results? The difference lies not in the ingredient itself, but in the delivery method.
Liposomes are nanoscale vesicles composed of a phospholipid bilayer that encapsulate NAD+ molecules. Their value extends far beyond merely "protecting active ingredients from destruction by gastric acid."
For NAD+, the benefits of liposomes span the entire journey from oral ingestion to cellular utilization, focusing on three key stages:
Gastrointestinal Protection: The phospholipid bilayer forms a physical barrier that effectively protects against degradation by gastric acid and digestive enzymes, allowing more NAD+ to arrive in the gut "intact."
Intestinal Absorption: Sharing a similar structure and high affinity with intestinal cell membranes, liposomes significantly enhance the transmembrane transport efficiency of hydrophilic molecules like NAD+, allowing active ingredients to enter the bloodstream more smoothly.
Cellular Delivery (The Most Critical Step): Through membrane fusion or endocytosis, liposomes deliver NAD+ directly into the cell interior, enabling it to actively participate in mitochondrial energy metabolism and Sirtuin regulation rather than merely "passing by" in the bloodstream.
In other words, liposomes do not alter the NAD+ molecule itself; rather, they thoroughly optimize its entire pathway from "oral intake" to the "cellular action site." In the industry, this represents a fundamental mindset shift—the core of product competition is transitioning from "what to supplement" to "how to deliver."
In the past, NAD+ products competed on purity, concentration, and raw material sourcing. Today, the focus of competition is quietly shifting—whoever can help active ingredients enter cells more efficiently and function effectively will build true barriers in a market characterized by product homogenization.
The significance of this human clinical study lies not only in providing an impressive "64%" figure, but also in serving as empirical evidence reminding the industry that delivery technology is becoming a vital lever determining product efficacy.
For brand owners, simply possessing high-quality raw materials is no longer enough. Enhancing ingredient stability, absorption rates, and cellular utilization efficiency through technological means such as liposomes, microencapsulation, and sustained release represents the critical direction for future product differentiation.
Under this trend, forward-thinking raw material enterprises have already taken action.
As an enterprise deeply rooted in coenzymes and functional raw materials, Bontac Bio has continuously tracked cutting-edge NAD+ research and taken the lead in establishing a liposomal delivery technology platform.
We consistently believe that: High-quality raw materials form the cornerstone of product value, while scientific delivery serves as the bridge to fulfilling real results.
Currently, Bontac Bio has launched liposomal NAD+ raw material solutions and is actively advancing the deep integration of raw material innovation and delivery technology across coenzyme series products, including NADH and NMN.
If you are planning an upgrade for your NAD+ products and wish to obtain raw material solutions with higher bioavailability, feel free to contact us for liposomal NAD+ samples.
Reference：
Blair E, Miller A, McDonald R. Increased Intracellular NAD+ Levels via Oral Supplementation With a Novel Liposomal Delivery Method: A Non-Randomized Crossover Study. Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (NDNR), 2025.
Can orally administered NAD+ actually be utilized by human cells?
In the past, the mainstream market opted for precursor substances such as NMN and NR, relying on the body's own metabolic pathways to boost NAD+ levels. Regarding direct NAD+ supplementation, many held a conservative stance: NAD+ has a large molecular weight and high hydrophilicity, making it prone to degradation by gastric acid and digestive enzymes after oral intake, with intestinal absorption and cellular penetration posing significant hurdles.
Now, a recent human clinical study has provided a different answer.
PART 01
14 Days to an Average 64% Increase in Intracellular NAD+This non-randomized crossover study (published in Naturopathic Doctor News & Review) enrolled 14 healthy adults. Participants orally consumed two different formulations of liposomal NAD+ daily (both at a dose of 1000 mg) for 14 days, separated by a 3-week washout period.
The study measured intracellular NAD+ concentrations within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) rather than free NAD+ in plasma—a marker that better reflects actual cellular uptake and utilization compared to simple blood levels.
Key Data: Both liposomal formulations increased intracellular NAD+ levels by an average of over 64% compared to baseline, demonstrating extreme statistical significance ($p < 0.01$). The highest individual increase reached 129.1%. No product-related serious adverse events occurred during the study.
This is currently the first published human clinical study to demonstrate that oral liposomal NAD+ can significantly increase intracellular NAD+ levels in human cells.
PART 02
Why Did "Liposomes" Become the Key Variable?Given that both involve oral NAD+, why was there past controversy while this study achieved clear positive results? The difference lies not in the ingredient itself, but in the delivery method.
Liposomes are nanoscale vesicles composed of a phospholipid bilayer that encapsulate NAD+ molecules. Their value extends far beyond merely "protecting active ingredients from destruction by gastric acid."
For NAD+, the benefits of liposomes span the entire journey from oral ingestion to cellular utilization, focusing on three key stages:
Gastrointestinal Protection: The phospholipid bilayer forms a physical barrier that effectively protects against degradation by gastric acid and digestive enzymes, allowing more NAD+ to arrive in the gut "intact."
Intestinal Absorption: Sharing a similar structure and high affinity with intestinal cell membranes, liposomes significantly enhance the transmembrane transport efficiency of hydrophilic molecules like NAD+, allowing active ingredients to enter the bloodstream more smoothly.
Cellular Delivery (The Most Critical Step): Through membrane fusion or endocytosis, liposomes deliver NAD+ directly into the cell interior, enabling it to actively participate in mitochondrial energy metabolism and Sirtuin regulation rather than merely "passing by" in the bloodstream.
In other words, liposomes do not alter the NAD+ molecule itself; rather, they thoroughly optimize its entire pathway from "oral intake" to the "cellular action site." In the industry, this represents a fundamental mindset shift—the core of product competition is transitioning from "what to supplement" to "how to deliver."
PART 03
From Ingredient Innovation to Delivery Innovation: Changing Competitive LogicIn the past, NAD+ products competed on purity, concentration, and raw material sourcing. Today, the focus of competition is quietly shifting—whoever can help active ingredients enter cells more efficiently and function effectively will build true barriers in a market characterized by product homogenization.
The significance of this human clinical study lies not only in providing an impressive "64%" figure, but also in serving as empirical evidence reminding the industry that delivery technology is becoming a vital lever determining product efficacy.
For brand owners, simply possessing high-quality raw materials is no longer enough. Enhancing ingredient stability, absorption rates, and cellular utilization efficiency through technological means such as liposomes, microencapsulation, and sustained release represents the critical direction for future product differentiation.
Under this trend, forward-thinking raw material enterprises have already taken action.
PART 04
Bontac Bio: Beyond Premium Coenzyme Ingredients, Deepening Delivery TechnologyAs an enterprise deeply rooted in coenzymes and functional raw materials, Bontac Bio has continuously tracked cutting-edge NAD+ research and taken the lead in establishing a liposomal delivery technology platform.
We consistently believe that: High-quality raw materials form the cornerstone of product value, while scientific delivery serves as the bridge to fulfilling real results.
Currently, Bontac Bio has launched liposomal NAD+ raw material solutions and is actively advancing the deep integration of raw material innovation and delivery technology across coenzyme series products, including NADH and NMN.
If you are planning an upgrade for your NAD+ products and wish to obtain raw material solutions with higher bioavailability, feel free to contact us for liposomal NAD+ samples.
Reference：
Blair E, Miller A, McDonald R. Increased Intracellular NAD+ Levels via Oral Supplementation With a Novel Liposomal Delivery Method: A Non-Randomized Crossover Study. Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (NDNR), 2025.
