Epitalon vs NAD+
Key differences, research and prices — side by side.
The key difference
Epitalon is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide studied for telomerase activity, mostly in cell and animal research. NAD+ is a coenzyme whose age-related decline has been studied in human trials, mainly through oral precursors.
| Epitalon | NAD+ | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed in Russia, modeled on a pineal-gland extract called epithalamin. | NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is not a peptide but a coenzyme present in every living cell. |
| How it works | Cell studies report it can activate telomerase, the enzyme that maintains the protective caps (telomeres) on chromosomes. | It carries electrons in the reactions that turn nutrients into energy and is required by enzymes such as sirtuins and PARPs that are involved in DNA repair. |
| Research areas |
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| Evidence | Mostly animal & lab studies | Human clinical studies |
| Regulatory status | Not approved by the FDA. Much of the research comes from a single group of investigators and has not been widely replicated. | Most human research uses oral precursors (NR, NMN) rather than NAD+ itself. Not approved by the FDA as a drug. |
| Research area | Longevity | Longevity |
| Sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly | — |
| Lowest price | $2.04/mg → | $0.10/mg → |
| Tested vendors | 2 | 2 |
| Third-party lab results | 2 COAs | 4 COAs |
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Educational comparison of published research — not medical advice, and not a recommendation of either compound. Prices are for reference only. Compounds referenced are sold by third parties for laboratory research use only and are not for human consumption.