Dr. Rachele Pojednic

Mar 16

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

What if the most powerful longevity strategies aren’t found in trending therapies — but in understanding how our cells produce 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 and performance.

Episode Overview

Together, we explore how science and lived experience intersect within the human ecology of health — the dynamic relationship between physiology, environment, mindset, and daily behavior. Dr. Rachele shares her journey from personal trainer to academic researcher and industry science leader, offering practical insight into how evidence-based thinking can help us navigate wellness trends with confidence.

We unpack the role of NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) in cellular energy production, mitochondrial function, and aging, while examining the growing popularity of NAD IV infusions, NMN, and nicotinamide riboside. Our conversation also explores peptide regulation, women’s health research gaps, muscle preservation across the lifespan, and the importance of critical thinking in longevity science.

This episode reinforces a powerful truth: sustainable resilience, recovery, and vitality are built through consistent foundational habits — not quick fixes.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode‍ ‍

• The biological role of NAD in metabolism, cellular repair, and aging

• Why NAD IV infusions may be less effective than marketed

• How NAD precursors like NR and NMN support mitochondrial function

• The importance of exercise, nutrition, sleep, and stress regulation for longevity

• Research gaps in women’s health during perimenopause and menopause

• Strategies for preserving muscle mass and metabolic resilience

• The science and regulatory realities of peptide therapies

• How to evaluate wellness trends using evidence-based thinking

• Risks associated with unregulated supplements and gray market sourcing

• Practical ways to personalize health optimization strategies

• Why curiosity and adaptability support long-term wellbeing

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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.

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For information about Dr. Rachele Pojednic visit:

www.rachelepojednic.com

‍Follow Dr. Rachele Pojednic here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelepojednic/

‍Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelepojednic/

‍Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrongProcess

‍Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RachelePojednic_PhD

Substack: https://rachelepojednic.substack.com/

⏱ Episode Timestamps

00:00 NAD Trends & Wellness Industry Practices

01:47 Introducing Dr. Rachele Pojednic