Understanding NAD and Its Precursors: A Science-Based Guide to Health and Longevity

What if optimizing longevity isn’t about chasing wellness trends — but about understanding how our cells generate energy, repair damage, and adapt over time? In this episode of The Better Body Lab Podcast, we sit down with exercise scientist and longevity researcher Dr. Rachele Pojednic to explore the science behind NAD, supplementation myths, and the foundational habits that truly shape health optimization, recovery, and performance.

Together, we examine how science and lived experience intersect within the human ecology of health — the dynamic relationship between physiology, mindset, environment, and daily behavior. Dr. Rachele shares her journey from personal trainer to academic researcher and industry science leader, offering grounded insight into navigating longevity trends with evidence-based thinking.

We unpack the role of NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) in cellular energy production, mitochondrial function, metabolism, and aging. Our conversation explores the growing popularity of NAD IV infusions, NMN, and nicotinamide riboside, while clarifying what current research actually suggests about bioavailability, effectiveness, and long-term health outcomes. We also discuss peptide regulation, research gaps in women’s health, muscle preservation across the lifespan, and the importance of critical thinking in a rapidly evolving wellness landscape.

This episode reinforces a central principle: sustainable resilience, recovery, and vitality are built through consistent foundational habits — including movement, nutrition, sleep, stress regulation, and informed experimentation — not quick fixes.

About Our Guest
Dr Rachele Pojednic is the Chief Science Officer at RestoreLabs, Restore Hyperwellness. She holds a faculty appointment at Stanford University in the Program in Human Biology and is the Director of Education at Stanford Lifestyle Medicine. She received her PhD in nutritional biochemistry and exercise physiology from Tufts University and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School. Her current research examines nutrition, supplementation and physical activity interventions on muscle physiology, human performance, and longevity, with a particular focus on women’s health. She has a passion for science communication and is featured regularly in the popular press including: NPR, NYTimes, Time, Popular Science, Oprah Daily, Sirius Doctors Radio, and the Wall Street Journal.

For information about Dr. Rachele Pojednic visit:
www.rachelepojednic.com

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Episode Timestamps
00:00 NAD Trends & Wellness Industry Practices
01:47 Introducing Dr. Rachele Pojednic
04:32 From Fitness to Longevity Science
08:40 Academia, Industry & Personal Brand
12:55 Science Communication Made Simple
15:42 Foundational Health Habits
17:26 Practical Lifestyle Strategies
19:16 NAD, NR & Supplementation Basics
20:35 NAD Biology & Aging
24:35 NAD IV vs Precursors
32:44 NAD Supplement Best Practices
36:06 Bioavailability & Delivery Methods
45:20 Dietary Sources & NAD Testing
48:57 Women’s Health & Aging Research
57:38 Muscle Preservation Strategies
01:01:07 Research Peptides Overview
01:04:02 Peptide Regulation & Safety
01:08:30 Peptide Quality & Supply Risks
01:12:31 Legal Future of Peptides
01:17:35 Finding Reliable Health Information
01:21:06 Safe Experimentation & Scientific Honesty
01:23:17 Episode Recap & Key Takeaways

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For More Information on Dr. Taryn Marie visit: www.resilience-leadership.com/

For more info on Michael Alden visit: https://www.mikealden.com/

For information about the companies that Dr. Taryn Marie and Mike Alden have co-founded visit:
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https://bioaccesslabs.com/

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