Glutathione vs NAD+
A side-by-side research comparison of Glutathione and NAD+ across mechanism, dosing, half-life, benefits, side effects and research status.
Comparison table
| Attribute | Glutathione | NAD+ |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | L-Glutathione (Reduced) | Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+ / NMN / NR) |
| Category | Anti-Aging | Anti-Aging |
| Status | Supplement / Injectable | Research compound |
| Mechanism | Directly neutralizes free radicals, regenerates vitamins C and E, supports phase II liver detoxification, maintains cellular redox balance, and protects mitochondrial DNA. | NAD+ serves as cofactor for sirtuins (SIRT1-7), PARPs (DNA repair), and CD38. Declining NAD+ impairs mitochondrial function and epigenetic maintenance. Restoration reactivates longevity pathways. |
| Molecular weight | 307.32 Da | 663.4 Da |
| Half-life | ~1.5-2 hours (IV/IM) | 1-4 hours (IV), 4-8h (oral precursors) |
| Bioavailability | ~95% injectable; low oral (~3%) | 100% (IV), variable (oral 5-30%) |
| Typical dose | 200-600 mg | 250-500mg IV or 500-1000mg NMN oral |
| Frequency | 1-3x per week | Weekly (IV) or Daily (oral) |
| Route | IV push, IM injection, or nebulized | IV infusion or Oral (precursors) |
Glutathione reported benefits
- Powerful antioxidant protection
- Liver detoxification support
- Skin brightening
- Immune system support
- Anti-aging cellular protection
- Heavy metal chelation
NAD+ reported benefits
- Restored cellular energy
- Enhanced DNA repair
- Sirtuin activation
- Improved mitochondrial function
- Cognitive clarity
- Anti-aging
Related comparisons
Research and educational reference only. Not medical advice.