NAD+ vs PEG-MGF
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
NAD+
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential coenzyme found in every living cell. It plays a central role in energy metabolism, DNA repair, gene expression, and cellular signaling. NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, and restoring them has become a major focus of longevity research. Injectable NAD+ bypasses the GI tract for higher bioavailability compared to oral precursors like NMN or NR.
Full details →PEG-MGF
PEG-MGF (PEGylated Mechano Growth Factor) is a variant of IGF-1 that is produced in response to muscle damage. PEGylation extends its half-life from minutes to several hours, making it practical for use.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | NAD+ | PEG-MGF |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | NAD+ is a critical substrate for sirtuins (SIRT1-7), a family of enzymes involved in DNA repair, inflammation regulation, and mitochondrial function. It also serves as a coenzyme for PARP enzymes (involved in DNA damage repair) and CD38 (involved in immune cell signaling). By directly replenishing cellular NAD+ pools, injectable NAD+ supports mitochondrial electron transport chain function, enhances ATP production, and activates longevity-associated pathways. | Activates muscle satellite cells (stem cells) and promotes their fusion to existing muscle fibers for repair and growth. MGF is produced naturally in response to mechanical stress on muscles. |
| Typical Dosage | Subcutaneous injection, typically 2–3 times per week. Start low and escalate: Twice per week protocol: Week 1: 20 mg (0.1 ml), Week 2: 40 mg (0.2 ml), Week 3+: 120 mg maintenance (0.6 ml). Three times per week protocol (e.g. Mon/Wed/Fri): Week 1: 20 mg (0.1 ml), Week 2: 40 mg (0.2 ml), Week 3+: 80 mg maintenance (0.4 ml). Volumes above assume 200 mg/ml concentration (100 mg vial reconstituted with 0.5 ml BAC water). Inject slowly — rapid administration increases flushing and nausea. Avoid back-to-back injection days. IV infusion (clinical setting): 250–750 mg per session over 2–4 hours. | Research protocols typically use 200-400mcg injected into targeted muscle groups 2-3 times weekly, usually post-workout. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection is the most practical route for self-administration. Inject slowly — rapid administration increases side effects (flushing, chest tightness, nausea). Some users split larger doses across multiple daily injections to improve tolerance. IV infusions provide the highest bioavailability but require a clinical setting. Store reconstituted NAD+ refrigerated and protect from light. NAD+ solutions are pH-sensitive; use bacteriostatic water for reconstitution. | Intramuscular injection, ideally into muscles trained that day. Best administered post-workout when satellite cell activation is relevant. |
| Side Effects | Flushing and warmth (very common, especially at higher doses or fast injection rates). Nausea and mild GI discomfort. Chest tightness or pressure during injection (usually transient). Injection site pain or redness. Headache. These side effects are typically dose-dependent and diminish with slower administration and repeated use. | Injection site soreness, potential hypoglycemia, and localized swelling. Generally well-tolerated. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
NAD+, PEG-MGF are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to NAD+:
Unique to PEG-MGF:
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