What Is NADH? Function, ATP, and Mitochondria | Prof. George Birkmayer

NADH in Energy Metabolism

NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced) is a naturally occurring coenzyme found in virtually all living cells. It plays a central role in energy metabolism and in the production of ATP in the mitochondria.

Metabolic reactions produce NADH, the electron-rich form of the coenzyme NAD. NADH transports these electrons to the mitochondrial respiratory chain. There, the transfer of electrons contributes to the establishment of a proton gradient that drives the formation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

NADH was discovered in the early 20th century during research into cellular respiration and energy production. Today, its role as an important electron carrier in cellular metabolism is well understood.

Several molecules floating and connected in the air

A happy, older woman stretching out in bed

Why is NADH so important?

NADH plays a central role in energy metabolism as an electron carrier. It transports high-energy electrons to the mitochondrial respiratory chain, where they are used to produce ATP.

ATP is the cell's most important readily available energy source and is required for numerous biological processes—from muscle contraction and active transport to growth and repair processes.

NADH thus links the breakdown of nutrients such as carbohydrates and fats to energy production in the mitochondria.

How is energy produced from NADH?

NADH plays a central role in cellular energy metabolism. During the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, various metabolic reactions produce NADH, which transports high-energy electrons. This occurs, among other processes, during glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and the citric acid cycle.

In the mitochondria, NADH transfers its electrons to Complex I of the respiratory chain, which is located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The electrons are then passed on through other components of the respiratory chain.

The energy released in this process is used to transport protons from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space. This creates an electrochemical proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This gradient serves as an energy reservoir that the cell can use to produce ATP.

When protons flow back into the mitochondrial matrix via the enzyme ATP synthase, the stored energy is used to form ATP (adenosine triphosphate) from ADP and inorganic phosphate. ATP is the cell’s most important readily available energy source and is required for numerous biological processes.

At the end of the respiratory chain, oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor and reacts with electrons and protons to form water. When it donates its electrons, NADH is oxidized back to NAD+ and can once again participate in cellular metabolism. This continuous cycle links the breakdown of nutrients with energy production in the mitochondria.

Illustration of NADH energy metabolism in the mitochondria, including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, the respiratory chain, and ATP production

NADH Products by Prof. George Birkmayer NADH

Why the original?

NADH is present in our food, especially in raw meat or fish. However, it is largely lost during food preparation (e.g. cooking, frying or baking). Therefore, a stable, absorbable and highly bioavailable form of NADH is crucial.

Our expertise in NADH is still based on this pioneering work today. In the early 1990s, Prof. George Birkmayer developed a stabilized form of the sensitive coenzyme NADH for oral products.

NADH VISION , for example, combines stabilized NADH with vitamin A and zinc; vitamin A and zinc help maintain normal vision.

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What is our NADH derived from?

The source of our NADH is baker's yeast. It naturally contains NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme found in the cells of all living organisms.

During the manufacturing process, NAD is extracted from yeast and converted into its reduced form, NADH, through controlled chemical and biological processes. The resulting raw material is then purified in several steps and separated from the original yeast components. The result is a purified NADH raw material that no longer contains any yeast components.

Our NADH raw material is manufactured in Europe by an internationally renowned manufacturer with extensive experience in the production of biochemical substances. The focus is on controlled processing and consistent raw material quality.

NADH research

For decades, Prof. George Birkmayer studied NADH and its role in human energy metabolism. A key focus of his work was the development of stabilized NADH formulations and the scientific investigation of their application.

His work helped make NADH available in a stable form outside the laboratory and fostered interest in NADH as a component of cellular energy metabolism.

Today, NADH continues to be studied in a variety of scientific contexts—from mitochondrial energy metabolism and redox biology to its role as an electron carrier in the NAD+/NADH system.

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FAQs

NADH transports high-energy electrons to the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The electron transfer that takes place there contributes to the establishment of a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This gradient provides the energy for ATP synthase, which uses ADP and phosphate to produce ATP. ATP is the cell’s immediately available energy source.

No. Vitamin B3 includes, among other things, nicotinamide and nicotinic acid. The body can use these as precursors for the formation of NAD+. NADH, on the other hand, is the reduced form of the coenzyme NAD and, as an electron carrier, performs a different function in energy metabolism.

No. NMN is a precursor that is converted into NAD+ in the body. NADH, on the other hand, is the reduced form of the NAD redox pair and acts, among other things, as an electron donor at Complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain.¹˒²

That depends on the goal. NADH is the reduced form of the NAD system that is directly involved in energy metabolism. NAD+, NMN, and NR play other roles in NAD metabolism.

NADH and NAD+ are two forms of the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NADH is the reduced, electron-rich form, while NAD+ is the oxidized form.

During cellular energy production, NADH donates its electrons to the mitochondrial electron transport chain and is thereby oxidized to NAD+. This electron transfer contributes to the establishment of the proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis. NAD+ can subsequently accept electrons again during cellular metabolism and be reduced back to NADH.

NADH and NAD+ thus form a redox pair and perform different functions in energy metabolism. NADH is the form that transfers high-energy electrons to the mitochondrial respiratory chain.