Is NAD better than collagen?

Reviewed and updated: 11 November 2026

Is NAD better than collagen? Honestly, no, and collagen isn't better than NAD either, because they do completely different jobs. Collagen is a structural protein, the scaffolding in your skin, tendons and bones, while NAD+ is a coenzyme that works inside every cell to help turn food into usable energy. Asking which is better is a bit like asking whether bricks are better than electricity: you need both, and they are not competing for the same role.

I'm Dr. Miron, founder of Pure Vitamins UK. I get this question more and more, usually from people who have seen both on social media in the same week and want to know where to spend their money. So in this guide I'll explain what each one actually is, what the research shows (including where it is thinner than the adverts suggest), whether you can take both, and how to choose a product with your eyes open.

Is NAD better than collagen? The quick answer

• Different jobs, not rivals. Collagen is a protein you eat and digest into amino acids and small peptides; NAD+ is a molecule your cells make and recycle to run hundreds of chemical reactions.
• Collagen supplements are usually hydrolysed collagen peptides from cattle or fish, taken as a powder in drinks, typically somewhere between about 2.5g and 15g a day depending on the product.
• NAD+ supplements rarely contain NAD+ itself. Most use precursors, the building blocks your body converts into NAD+, such as NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) or NR (nicotinamide riboside).
• The research looks different. Collagen has dozens of human trials on skin, with mixed quality. NMN and NR trials consistently show higher NAD+ in the blood, but most other measured outcomes have not differed from placebo so far.
• Yes, you can take both, and many people do. Neither replaces a good diet, and vitamin C from food plays its own part (more on that below).

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What collagen is, and what hydrolysed collagen peptides are

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. Think of it as rope: three long protein chains wound tightly together, giving strength and structure to skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone. Your body makes its own collagen all the time from amino acids, mainly glycine, proline and hydroxyproline, with vitamin C as an essential helper in the process.

People have eaten collagen for as long as they have cooked: slow-simmered bone broths, gelatine in jellies and puddings, and the skin and connective tissue on cheaper cuts of meat. Collagen supplements are a modern, tidier version of the same thing. Raw collagen from cattle hide or fish skin is broken down with enzymes into short chains called peptides, which is what "hydrolysed collagen" or "collagen peptides" on a label means. Those short peptides dissolve easily in hot or cold drinks and, once digested, are absorbed as amino acids and small di- and tri-peptides.

Bovine collagen mainly supplies Types I and III; marine collagen is mostly Type I. If you'd like the details, I've written about marine vs bovine collagen and about what hydrolysed collagen is.

What NAD+ is, and where NMN and NR come in

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every living cell. Its best-known job is shuttling electrons in the reactions that release energy from the food you eat, but it is also used by enzymes involved in DNA repair and cell signalling, including the sirtuins you may have seen mentioned online. A major 2021 review in Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology describes NAD+ as central to energy metabolism and notes that tissue NAD+ levels gradually decline with age in rodents and in humans, which is why scientists are so interested in it (Covarrubias et al., 2021).

Here is the twist many people miss: NAD+ supplements rarely contain much NAD+. It is a large molecule, so most products use smaller precursors that cells can turn into NAD+:

• NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), one step away from NAD+ in the body's recycling pathway.
• NR (nicotinamide riboside), a form of vitamin B3 that is converted to NMN and then NAD+.
• Niacin and nicotinamide, the familiar forms of vitamin B3 found in food and multivitamins.

For a fuller walk-through, see what NAD+ is and why it matters and my comparison of NMN vs NR. One UK-specific point worth knowing: NMN is a novel food, and its authorisation for sale as a food in the UK is still under assessment, so the market here is less settled than for collagen.

Different jobs, not rivals

Once you see what each one is, the "better" question mostly answers itself. Here's how I'd sum up the difference for a friend:

So if your interest is in the protein side of things, collagen is the one that speaks to that. If your interest is in cellular energy metabolism, NAD+ precursors are the topic. They answer different questions, which is exactly why "which is better" tends to produce confused answers online.

What the research shows for each, stated plainly

Collagen peptides

Collagen is one of the most researched supplements around, and the headline numbers look encouraging. A 2023 meta-analysis in Nutrients pooled 26 randomised controlled trials with 1,721 participants and found that hydrolysed collagen improved measures of skin hydration and elasticity compared with placebo, while the authors also pointed out biases in the included trials and called for larger studies (Pu et al., 2023).

A 2025 meta-analysis in the American Journal of Medicine looked again at 23 trials and split them by funding and quality. The positive results came mainly from industry-funded and lower-quality studies; the independent, higher-quality trials showed no significant effect (Myung and Park, 2025). I think that is important to share. The research is real and active, but it is not settled, and anyone telling you collagen is guaranteed to do something is getting ahead of the evidence.

NAD+ precursors (NMN and NR)

For NMN, a 2024 meta-analysis of 12 randomised trials with 513 adults found that supplementation reliably raised NAD+ levels in the blood, but most of the clinical outcomes measured (blood glucose and blood fats among them) did not differ from the control groups, and the authors concluded that the benefits may be exaggerated in the field (Zhang et al., 2024). In other words, the science shows these precursors do get into the body and are converted, but what that means for everyday outcomes in people is still an open question.

So neither side "wins" on evidence. Collagen has more human trials on skin, with real quality caveats; NAD+ precursors have convincing data on blood levels and much less on anything beyond that.

Vitamin C and collagen formation

If you only take one practical idea from this guide, make it this one. Your body cannot build collagen properly without vitamin C, because vitamin C is needed by the enzymes that stabilise the collagen triple helix. That's why vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. It is a statement about vitamin C itself, and it applies whether or not you take any collagen supplement at all.

The good news is that vitamin C is easy to get from food: peppers, kiwi, citrus fruit, strawberries, broccoli and leafy greens are all generous sources. If you take a collagen powder, having it with a glass of orange juice or alongside fruit is a nice habit. I've written more about why they're paired in collagen and vitamin C.

Can you take NAD and collagen together?

Yes. There's no known interaction between collagen peptides and NAD+ precursors, and because they do different jobs, many people take both. Collagen is simply protein; NMN and NR are forms of vitamin B3. If you'd like to use both, a simple routine looks like this:

• Collagen: one scoop stirred into your morning coffee, tea, smoothie or porridge.
• NAD+ precursor: capsules taken with breakfast, following the label dose and never exceeding it.
• Food first: some vitamin C-rich fruit or veg at the same meal, plus enough protein across the day.

Before adding both, I'd ask yourself one question: what are you hoping for? If it's more protein in a form you'll actually take, collagen is a straightforward choice. If you're curious about NAD+ biology, be realistic that the human research is still young. And if your budget only stretches to one, don't let social media make the decision for you.

Formats and typical label amounts

Reading the label tells you more than the front of the pack. Here's what you'll usually see:

• Collagen powders: commonly 5g to 15g of hydrolysed collagen peptides per serving. Our own powder gives 12.6g of collagen peptides in each 14g scoop.
• Collagen capsules: usually 1g to 2g a day, because a capsule can only hold so much powder. I compare the two in collagen powder vs capsules.
• Collagen drinks: ready-to-drink shots, often 5g with added vitamins and sweeteners.
• NMN and NR: capsules or powders, commonly labelled between 250mg and 1,000mg a day, sometimes combined with other ingredients such as TMG or resveratrol.
• "NAD+" products: check whether the label lists NAD+ itself or a precursor, and at what amount.

For daily collagen amounts in more depth, see my guide to collagen dosage.

Timing and consistency

There's no magic hour for either. Collagen is a protein, so you can have it whenever suits you; people who stick with it tend to anchor it to something they already do, like the first coffee of the day. For NMN and NR, most labels suggest taking them in the morning with food, simply because that is when people remember.

What matters far more than timing is consistency. The collagen trials generally ran for 8 to 12 weeks of daily use, so the honest expectation is a steady habit over a couple of months, not a quick change. My best tip: keep the pouch where you'll see it, next to the kettle or the cereal, and you'll rarely forget.

Diet and lifestyle context for skin

I'd be doing you a disservice if I let a supplement take centre stage here. The things that shape how your skin looks day to day are mostly unglamorous, and they cost little or nothing:

• Sun protection: daily SPF and shade are the single biggest everyday factor for skin.
• Not smoking: smoking is strongly linked with changes in skin structure.
• Enough protein: eggs, fish, meat, dairy, beans and lentils give your body the amino acids it uses to make collagen.
• Plenty of colourful fruit and veg: for vitamin C and a wide range of other nutrients.
• Sleep, water and movement: boring, reliable, and they matter.

A supplement can sit alongside these, never in place of them. If you want a broader view of the nutrients people look at for hair, skin and nails, my honest guide to vitamins for hair, skin and nails covers it.

How to choose a quality product

Whether you go for collagen, an NAD+ precursor or both, the same label checks apply. This is the quick decoder I use myself:

• Dose per serving, in grams or milligrams. Avoid "proprietary blends" that only give a total weight.
• Source. For collagen: bovine or marine, and which collagen types. For NAD+ products: which precursor (NMN, NR, niacin) and how much.
• What else is in it. Sweeteners, flavourings and extra vitamins all add up if you take other supplements too.
• Testing you can see. Look for a brand that publishes a Certificate of Analysis. Ours are formulated in the UK and tested for purity and heavy metals at our GMP-certified facility.
• Price per day, not per pack. Divide the price by the number of daily servings to compare fairly.
• UK status. For NMN in particular, remember that its novel food status in the UK is still under assessment.

For collagen specifically, my full buyer's guide is how to choose the best collagen supplement in the UK, and for NAD+ precursors it's how to choose an NMN supplement in the UK.

A few cautions worth knowing

• Allergens: marine collagen comes from fish and some products may carry traces of shellfish, so read the label if you have a fish or shellfish allergy. Bovine collagen is unsuitable if you avoid beef.
• Protein intake: collagen is protein. If you've been advised to limit protein, for example because of kidney disease, speak to your GP first.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: NMN and NR products are generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and many are labelled for adults over 18 only. Ask your midwife or GP before starting anything new.
• Medication: if you take regular medication, including for blood sugar or blood pressure, check with your pharmacist before adding an NAD+ precursor, as the research in people on medication is limited.
• Vitamin B3 totals: if you also take a multivitamin or B-complex, look at the combined niacin or nicotinamide amounts.
• When to see your GP: if you have a skin concern, ongoing tiredness or anything that is worrying you, it's worth a proper conversation with your GP or pharmacist rather than reaching for a supplement first.

Frequently asked questions

Is NAD better than collagen?

Not really. They do different jobs: collagen is a structural protein you eat and digest, while NAD+ is a coenzyme your cells make and use in energy metabolism. Neither replaces the other, and the research on each looks quite different.

Can I take NAD+ and collagen at the same time?

Yes. There is no known interaction between collagen peptides and NAD+ precursors such as NMN or NR. Many people take collagen in a morning drink and a precursor capsule with breakfast. Check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take medication or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do NAD+ supplements actually contain NAD+?

Usually not much. Most use precursors such as NMN or NR, which the body converts into NAD+. Research shows these precursors raise NAD+ levels in the blood, while effects on other outcomes in people are still being studied.

Which vitamin helps collagen formation?

Vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. Peppers, kiwi, citrus fruit, strawberries and broccoli are good food sources.

How long do people take collagen for?

Most collagen trials ran for 8 to 12 weeks of daily use, so people who try it usually take it every day for at least a couple of months as part of their routine.

Keep reading

• How to choose an NMN supplement in the UK
• How to choose the best collagen supplement in the UK
• What is NAD+ and why does it matter?
• NMN vs NR: which NAD+ precursor?
• Collagen and vitamin C: why they're paired
• All supplement guides
• Pure Vitamins UK home

Our pick for this guide

Want a collagen powder that disappears into your morning drink?

12.6g hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides (Type I and III) per 14g scoop, unflavoured, with no fillers or proprietary blends. A food supplement, not a replacement for medical advice.

From £16.00 · 450g pouch

Shop Collagen Peptides →

Sources

• Pu SY et al. (2023). Systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 randomised trials of oral hydrolysed collagen and skin hydration and elasticity. Nutrients 15(9):2080. PMC10180699
• Myung SK, Park Y (2025). Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials of collagen supplements and skin, analysed by funding source and study quality. Am J Med 138(9):1264-1277. PubMed 40324552
• Covarrubias AJ et al. (2021). Review of NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 22(2):119-141. PMC7963035
• Zhang J, Poon ET, Wong SH (2024). Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials of oral NMN supplementation in adults. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 65(22):4382-4400. PubMed 39116016
• Department of Health and Social Care. Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register. gov.uk

Dr. Miron, Founder of Pure Vitamins UK

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Always speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking a supplement if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medication.