Is NAD+ Vegan or Vegetarian-Friendly?

NAD+ itself isn't inherently animal or plant-derived — it's a coenzyme found in every living cell, so as a molecule it's neither vegan nor non-vegan. What actually determines whether a specific NAD+ product is vegan or vegetarian-friendly is how it's manufactured and what's used to package, stabilise or deliver it. Most commercial-grade NAD+ used in injectable kits is produced through microbial fermentation or chemical synthesis rather than extracted from animal tissue, and the injectable format skips the gelatin capsules that can make some oral supplements non-vegan. Even so, ‘vegan-friendly’ isn't automatic for every product, so it's worth knowing exactly what to check before you buy.

What Is NAD+ Actually Made From?

NAD+, short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a coenzyme that occurs naturally in every living cell — plant, animal, fungal and bacterial — because it's essential to how cells convert nutrients into usable energy. That means NAD+ as a molecule isn't ‘sourced’ from animals the way an ingredient like gelatin or lanolin is; it's chemically identical regardless of which organism it comes from.

The raw NAD+ and precursor compounds (such as NMN or NR) used in supplements and injectable kits are typically produced at industrial scale using microbial fermentation — with yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or bacteria including E. coli and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens — or through chemical synthesis starting from nicotinamide. Neither production route relies on animal-derived raw material.

How Injectable NAD+ Kits Are Typically Manufactured

At-home NAD+ injection kits are usually supplied as a freeze-dried (lyophilised) NAD+ powder in a sealed vial, which you reconstitute yourself using bacteriostatic water before injecting. Bacteriostatic water is simply sterile water for injection with a small amount of benzyl alcohol added as a preservative — both are synthetic, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, not derived from animals.

Because injectable kits don't involve capsules, tablets, or the coatings and binders used in oral supplements, several of the most common sources of animal-derived ingredients in the wider supplement market simply don't apply to this format. For more on how injections compare with capsules and sublingual drops, see our guide to NAD+ injections vs oral vs sublingual.

Where Animal-Derived Ingredients Can Show Up in Oral Supplements

If you're comparing an injectable kit with an oral NAD+, NMN or NR supplement, the vegan question becomes more relevant. Capsule shells are the most common culprit: many capsules use gelatin, made from collagen extracted from cattle or pig connective tissue and bone, unless the product is specifically labelled as a ‘vegetarian capsule’ or ‘vegan capsule’ made from HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), a plant-derived cellulose.

Other excipients worth checking on an oral supplement's label include magnesium stearate and glycerin, both of which can be sourced from either plant or animal fats depending on the manufacturer. This doesn't mean oral NAD+ supplements are usually non-vegan — most mainstream brands have shifted to vegetarian capsules — but it isn't guaranteed, and gelatin capsules are still on the market.

What a ‘Vegan-Friendly’ Label Actually Means

There's no single rule that automatically makes a supplement or injectable ‘vegan.’ In the UK, the recognised marker is The Vegan Society's Vegan Trademark, which independently certifies that a product and its full production process contain no animal-derived ingredients and haven't been tested on animals.

A product without this trademark isn't necessarily non-vegan — many smaller or specialist brands simply haven't gone through certification — but it also means the claim hasn't been independently verified. If a specific ingredient list matters to you, the most reliable approach is to check the product's certificate of analysis or contact the supplier directly and ask what excipients, preservatives and stabilisers are used in that batch, since formulations can vary between manufacturers and even between batches.

Does a Vegan Diet Affect Your Own NAD+ Levels?

Separate from what's in a product, there's a genuinely interesting research angle on diet and NAD+ itself. A December 2025 study published in Nutrition Research, following a Slovenian cohort, compared NAD+-to-NADH ratios across different diets and found vegans had a notably higher ratio (1.65) than omnivores (1.15), vegetarians (0.93) and low-carb, high-fat dieters (0.96). A higher NAD+-to-NADH ratio is generally associated with more efficient mitochondrial function.

The vegans in the study also consumed significantly more fibre and antioxidants than the other groups, so this is best read as an association rather than proof that avoiding animal products alone raises NAD+ levels — and the study's Slovenian omnivore group ate less animal protein than a typical UK diet, which limits how directly the finding translates. For more on the diet and lifestyle factors associated with NAD+ levels, see our guide on how to boost NAD+ levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do NAD+ injections contain gelatin?

No. Injectable NAD+ kits use a freeze-dried powder in a sealed vial rather than a capsule, so gelatin — which is sometimes used in capsule shells — isn't part of the format. If you're ever unsure about a specific product's excipients, check the batch documentation or ask the supplier directly.

Is bacteriostatic water vegan-friendly?

Yes. Bacteriostatic water is sterile water for injection with a small amount of benzyl alcohol added as a preservative, and both components are synthetic, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients with no animal origin.

Can vegans and vegetarians take NAD+ products safely?

Most vegans and vegetarians can consider NAD+ products in the same way as anyone else, since there's nothing inherent to the NAD+ molecule that requires animal-derived material. If you have specific dietary requirements or any health concerns, it's worth checking with a GP, dietitian or pharmacist before starting anything new.

Does a vegan diet naturally raise NAD+ levels?

Some research suggests an association between a vegan diet and a more favourable NAD+-to-NADH ratio, but this is linked to broader dietary patterns like higher fibre and antioxidant intake rather than proof that cutting out animal products alone changes NAD+ levels.

How can I check if a specific NAD+ product is vegan-certified?

Look for The Vegan Society's Vegan Trademark on the packaging or product page, review the full ingredient and excipient list, and if anything is unclear, contact the manufacturer directly to ask about the specific batch you're considering.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or injectable therapy.