Sinclair NAD+/Sirtuin Stack

Risk: Low

David Sinclair's foundational longevity protocol — NMN restores NAD+ (the substrate for sirtuin and PARP function), resveratrol activates SIRT1, and spermidine drives autophagy independently. Each compound hits a distinct longevity lever — no NMN/NR double-up, no AMPK redundancy.

24-week cycle3 compounds
Best forRecovery 5/10
Cycle24wk
Compounds3
RiskLow
4 min read

Composition: 3 Longevity

3× Once daily

Overview

The Sinclair NAD+/Sirtuin Stack is the archetypal daily longevity protocol: NMN for NAD+ restoration, resveratrol for SIRT1 activation, and spermidine to induce autophagy. This is not the 'shotgun' PhD-biohacker cocktail with five NAD+ precursors and a half-dozen herbal AMPK-boosters — it's the focused, evidence-driven regimen built around three complementary levers that cover mitochondrial health, DNA repair, and proteostasis. It's for users serious about foundational healthspan support: the protocol is daily, sustainable, and light on side effects. You won't notice instant results, but measurable metrics — blood NAD+, aerobic capacity, and long-term markers — do move. Not a magic bullet for aesthetics or cycles, but the right substrate stack for anyone layering longevity onto performance, physique, or looksmaxxing goals.

Why this stack works

  • NMN directly replenishes NAD+, the critical fuel for sirtuins (SIRT1-7), PARP enzymes, and mitochondrial energy metabolism. It operates upstream, setting the foundational tone for repair, recovery, and metabolic health. Human RCTs confirm raised NAD+ pools, improved insulin sensitivity, and aerobic improvements in middle-aged users.
  • Resveratrol acts further downstream — it directly activates SIRT1, giving you synergy with the NAD+ boost from NMN. It also mildly upregulates NO/eNOS for vascular support, brings a weak anti-aromatase effect, and supports stress resistance via AMPK. Bioavailability may be poor, but its metabolites still execute most of the activity; it belongs in the stack more for the sirtuin angle than any antioxidant or anti-estrogen hype.
  • Spermidine tackles autophagy, working independently of the NAD+/SIRT1 axis. Its core value is the maintenance of cellular recycling and proteostasis, both in the context of aging and as background support during high-repair-demand windows (like running gear). The three together map onto distinct levers: NMN (substrate), resveratrol (activator), spermidine (cellular housekeeping) — no redundancy, each hitting a separate lane. This ensures you're not just throwing ingredients at the wall — every compound has a role and minimal overlap.

Protocol timeline

1 phase · 24 weeks total

Timeline shows the 24-week cycle. Bars overlap when phases run concurrently. Click a bar to jump to its detail card.

Cycle starts

2025

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2026

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2027

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Phase 1
Daily NAD+/Sirtuin
mainWk 1–2424wk
WeekCompoundDoseFrequencyNotes
1–24NMN500 mgAM dailyTake with or without food
1–24Resveratrol500 mgAM dailyTake with fat for absorption
1–24Spermidine2 mgAM dailyAny time; food optional
  • Resveratrol: Always take resveratrol with a fat-containing meal to boost its (otherwise awful) bioavailability.
  • NMN: Consider 250–600 mg trimethylglycine (TMG) daily as a methylation support adjunct if running NMN at or above 500 mg. This blunts any theoretical methyl donor drain.
  • Spermidine: If you're stacking with heavy oral AAS or trying to maximize hair retention, nudging spermidine up toward 4–6 mg is viable, but most users get robust autophagy at 2 mg.
  • Resveratrol: If stacking with prescription meds, double-check for CYP2C9/CYP3A4 interactions — resveratrol has mild but real effects on drug metabolism (especially anticoagulants).
  • Skip mega-dose antioxidants (vitamin C, NAC) close to dosing window; they may partially blunt NMN and resveratrol benefits via redox modulation.

Compounds in this stack

3 linked · tap for full guide

How they work together

Combined effectiveness
Average 0–10 score per dimension across the compounds in this stack (simple mean per axis).
Pairwise synergies

Multipliers applied to the projection above when these compounds run together. Values > 1 indicate a bonus, < 1 a penalty.

PairTypeLeanFat lossRecovery
synergistic×1.05×1.10×1.15
synergistic×1.07×1.10×1.18

Conclusion

This stack is the closest thing to a "no-miss" daily protocol for anyone serious about longevity. Three compounds, three mechanisms, minimal downside. Run it as a base layer and focus your money elsewhere before trying to optimize further. Ready to level up? Layer in lipid support (berberine, citrus bergamot) or fasted cardio — don't bother with more NAD+ precursors or exotic sirtuin agonists.

Updated 2026-04-19