We've all been there. You walk into a room and forget why you came. You struggle to find the right word mid-sentence. That afternoon brain fog rolls in like clockwork, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming.

The conventional wisdom? "It's just part of getting older."

But what if that narrative is completely wrong?

The Harvard Discovery That's Changing Brain Health

In a recent episode of The Dr. Leaf Show, Harvard-trained physician and NAD expert Dr. Andrew Salzman shared research that's revolutionizing how we think about cognitive decline. His message was clear: your brain isn't broken—it's just running out of fuel.

That fuel? A molecule called NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide).

The Hidden Energy Crisis in Your Brain

NAD+ isn't just another supplement buzzword. This powerhouse molecule drives over 500 critical cellular functions, including:

• Energy production in brain cells
• DNA repair mechanisms
• Cellular communication
• Stress response systems
• Memory formation and recall

Here's the shocking part: by midlife, most people have lost 50% of their NAD+ levels.

Imagine trying to run your smartphone on half battery power all day, every day. That's essentially what's happening to your brain.

Meet the Energy Thief: CD38

Dr. Salzman revealed that much of this NAD+ depletion comes from an enzyme called CD38, which essentially "steals" your brain's energy supply and accelerates the aging process. As CD38 activity increases with age, it creates a cascade effect that leaves your neurons struggling to function optimally.

The result? What we've been told is "normal aging" is actually cellular energy starvation.

The Good News: Cognitive Decline Isn't Inevitable

Unlike the fatalistic view of brain aging, this research offers hope. NAD+ depletion is reversible. Dr. Salzman discussed practical strategies for restoring brain energy and maintaining cognitive function, regardless of age.

The key principles include:

Supporting cellular energy production through targeted nutrition and lifestyle choices

Protecting existing NAD+ levels by addressing factors that accelerate depletion

Optimizing sleep and stress management to allow natural cellular repair processes

Maintaining physical activity that supports brain metabolism

From Surviving to Thriving

This conversation represents a fundamental shift from managing cognitive decline to preventing it entirely. As Dr. Salzman emphasized, the goal isn't just adding years to your life—it's adding life to your years.

Whether you're 25 and want to protect your cognitive future, or 65 and ready to reclaim mental clarity, understanding brain energy opens up possibilities that traditional approaches have missed.

The Proactive Longevity Approach

The science is clear: your brain needs energy to thrive. By addressing the root cause of cognitive decline rather than just managing symptoms, we can maintain mental sharpness, memory strength, and emotional resilience for decades to come.