What is Sirtuins?
Sirtuins are a family of enzymes inside your cells that help regulate repair, metabolism and how genes are switched on or off, and they depend on NAD+ to do their work. They are often described as maintenance proteins because of their part in keeping cellular processes running as the body ages.
Sirtuins sit downstream of NAD+, the molecule they consume as fuel, which is why interest in sirtuins usually leads to interest in an NAD+ precursor. They are sometimes confused with resveratrol, a compound thought to influence them, but resveratrol is the potential lever and sirtuins are the machinery. Their activity also ties into how mitochondria manage energy, which links sirtuins to both ageing and daily metabolism.
Sirtuins matter most to people interested in the biology of ageing rather than a single symptom. The catch is that you cannot take sirtuins as a supplement. They are enzymes your body makes, so the practical question is whether you supply enough NAD+ for them to function, and much of the sirtuin research remains at the laboratory stage rather than settled human outcomes.
Because sirtuins run on NAD+, our NMN supplies a precursor the body can convert to keep that pool topped up.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a plant compound thought to influence sirtuin activity, whereas sirtuins are the enzymes themselves. One is a possible trigger and the other is the machinery being triggered.
Who uses it, or when is it the right choice?
Sirtuins are a concept people focus on when building a longevity routine around NAD+ availability. You support them indirectly by keeping NAD+ levels adequate rather than dosing them directly.
When is it the WRONG choice?
Focusing on sirtuins is misplaced if you are looking for a specific supplement to buy, since they cannot be taken orally. It is also the wrong frame if you want proven, short-term results rather than long-horizon biology.