Doctor examines whether NAD+ blood tests reflect biological age

Can a test kit actually tell you your biological age? We look at the data on NAD+ levels and what they mean for your health There's a finger-prick test you can buy right now that claims to tell you your biological age through a molecule called NAD+. In this video I walk through what they found, and what it actually means for anyone using or considering one of these tests. Welcome to Dr. Joanette MD Hi, I'm Dr. Joanette, an ER doctor, Blue Zone native, and founder of Optimum Health MD. I blend decades of emergency medicine experience with modern longevity science to bring you practical, evidence-based insights that help you live stronger, longer. Everyone is welcome here. Dr. Joanette's Bio I'm the founder of Optimum Health MD, dedicated to optimizing health and longevity. I graduated from New York Medical College in 1995 and am board-certified in Emergency Medicine. I'm licensed to practice in the states of California and New York. This channel is separate from my duties as attending medical staff at Saint John's Riverside Hospital and as an assistant professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Lake Erie College of Medicine. The views expressed on this channel are my own. TIMESTAMPS: Can a test kit actually tell you your biological age? We look at the data on NAD+ levels and what they mean for your health. Many people turn to testing kits to measure their biological age, but the science behind these metrics is often misunderstood. I am reviewing the data on NAD+ levels, which are frequently used as a biomarker for aging, to see if they truly reflect your internal state. When we examined the evidence, the results were surprising. Data shows that these levels remain essentially flat from age 18 to 70, meaning they may not be the clear indicator of cellular health we once hoped for. This finding, confirmed by independent labs, suggests we need to be more critical of the metrics we use to track our progress in longevity science. Subscribe for more evidence-based health tips, and let me know in the comments if you have ever tried a biological age test. 0:00 – The finger-prick test that claims to reveal your biological age 0:49 – Dr. Joanette's approach: reading this like a chart, not a headline 1:19 – What NAD+ actually is 2:06 – The theory behind NAD+ testing, and why it needs to hold up 3:02 – The most rigorous look yet: a newly validated blood test, 300+ people, no age-related decline 4:32 – A second, independent confirmation out of Helsinki 6:21 – So does NAD+ decline with age at all? The tissue-level answer 7:08 – Why blood doesn't reliably reflect what's happening in your tissues 8:12 – The shipping problem: why a mail-in test adds even more noise 9:33 – Whole blood vs. white blood cell tests: an important distinction 10:32 – What this does and doesn't mean for NAD+ supplementation 11:12 – The bigger lesson: telling real signal from convenient marketing 11:40 – Get a full picture with Optimum Health MD STUDIES REFERENCED: 1. Trętowicz MM, et al. "Human Whole-Blood NAD+ Levels Do Not Vary With Age or Lifestyle Interventions." Nature Metabolism. 2026;8(6):1282–1290. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-026-01537-5 2. Euro L, Haimilahti K, Jansson S, Forsström S, Buzkova J, Suomalainen A. "Dynamics of Blood NAD and Glutathione in Health, Disease, Aging, and Under NAD+-Booster Treatment." Redox Biology. 2026;96:104343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2026.104343 3. Massudi H, Grant R, Braidy N, Guest J, Farnsworth B, Guillemin GJ. "Age-Associated Changes in Oxidative Stress and NAD+ Metabolism in Human Tissue." PLOS ONE. 2012;7(7):e42357. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0042357 📌 If you want help figuring out where something like this actually fits into your own health picture, your labs, your goals, what's actually worth your money, that's the work we do at Optimum Health MD, the practice I founded. Thanks for joining me today, and I'll see you next time. DISCLAIMER: As a physician passionate about health education, I want to be clear that while I share evidence-based information, I am not your personal doctor and don't know your unique medical history. The recipes and wellness tips I provide are for educational purposes only. Before making any dietary or lifestyle changes based on my content, please consult with your healthcare provider, who understands your specific health needs and can offer personalized guidance. Your well-being matters, and I'm here to support your health journey alongside the care you receive from your medical team. #NAD #BiologicalAge #NADTest #Longevity #ERDoctor #OptimumHealthMD #SupplementScience #HealthyAging #NADPlus #LongevityTesting Don’t forget to subscribe for more health tips and recipes! @DrJoanette Website: https://optimumhealthmd.com/ Follow for More! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjoanette LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoanetteweissemd