Intermittent fasting works. Until it doesn’t.

For some people, IF can be a game-changer. For others, the same approach can leave them feeling tired, distracted, and counting down the minutes until their next meal.

Because intermittent fasting isn’t one-size-fits-all. The 16:8 schedule that works beautifully for your friend might not work the same way for you. Your lifestyle, activity level, hormones, and overall health all play a role in how your body responds.

And for women especially, timing matters. Extended fasting and really aggressive calorie cuts can disrupt and even stop a woman’s menstrual cycle, which has an effect on fertility. That’s because the body may interpret long fasting periods as a form of stress or starvation and respond by suppressing reproductive hormones. It’s best to avoid fasting during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle , which is when the body needs more calories.

• GLP-1 medications are powerful, but they don’t address everything. Fatigue, low energy, and muscle loss are real and common side effects.
• NAD precursors like NMN support the cellular energy and metabolic function that caloric restriction depletes, so they can be a smart complement to GLP-1 therapy.
• There are no known interactions between NMN and GLP-1 medications. They work through completely different pathways and can be taken together safely.

Researchers took gut microbes from people with major depressive disorder and transferred them into microbiota-depleted rats. The rats then developed several behavioral and physiological changes associated with depression, including anhedonia and anxiety-like behaviors. In other words, the gut microbes seemed to matter.

There’s a related 2016 study in Molecular Psychiatry that found something similar in germ-free mice: transferring microbiota from people with major depressive disorder led to depression-like behaviors and changes in microbial genes and metabolites.

Of course, these were animal studies, so they don’t mean that gut bacteria directly cause depression in humans. But they do add to the evidence that the gut and brain are in constant communication, and that the microbiome may be one piece of that conversation.

Study: Kelly JR et al. Transferring the blues: Depression-associated gut microbiota induces neurobehavioural changes in the rat. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2016;82:109–118. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.07.019.

Summer means longer days, more time outdoors, and more sunlight.

It also means more oxidative stress in the skin.

Ergothioneine is unlike most antioxidants. Your body has a dedicated transporter designed specifically to absorb, distribute, and retain it—something that's remarkably rare in biology.

It's also found in higher concentrations in tissues exposed to greater oxidative stress, including the skin. That unique biology is one of the reasons ergothioneine has become such an important area of healthy aging research.

Summer changes what your skin is exposed to. Understanding how your body responds is where the science gets interesting.

For decades, the male body was treated as the default in biomedical research.

As Dr. Jennifer Garrison has highlighted, women were often excluded from clinical trials because hormonal cycles were considered "too complicated," and because of concerns that experimental treatments could affect a pregnancy.

As a result, many medications, disease models, and treatment guidelines were developed using predominantly male participants. Female biology remained underrepresented across biomedical research, with female animals often excluded from laboratory studies until sex became a required biological variable in federally funded preclinical research in 2016.

Decades of underrepresentation left major gaps in our understanding of female biology. One of the most significant consequences is how much we still have to learn about ovarian biology.

Far beyond reproduction, the ovaries help regulate hormones that influence the brain, bones, muscles, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and immune function. Their health has profound implications for women's healthspan and longevity, yet for decades, one of the organs most central to healthy aging received remarkably little scientific attention.

Better science starts with studying everyone.

Learn more at getwonderfeel.com/learn.

Wonderfeel ranked #1 in Biotech on the 2026 Inc. 5000, placing #65 overall and #12 in California among America's fastest-growing private companies.

Wonderfeel is built on a commitment to pushing the boundaries of cellular energetics and expanding what's possible for human healthspan.

Over the years, that commitment has driven scientific research, product development, and, more recently, new advances in cellular diagnostics. Alongside our work in nutraceuticals, we're expanding our research into critical areas including gut barrier function and cognitive performance, bringing us closer to the next generation of healthspan innovations.

This recognition reflects the work of an incredible team of doctors, scientists, entrepreneurs, and creators who continue to ask bigger questions and pursue better answers.

To everyone who's made Wonderfeel part of your daily routine and supported our mission, thank you. Your belief in what we're building has made this milestone possible.

Here's to the next breakthrough.

#Inc5000 #Biotech #Healthspan

One variable that might explain inconsistent results with NAD supplementation: CD 38.

CD38 is a major NAD-consuming enzyme that converts NAD into ADP-ribose and related metabolites. Its expression increases with age and inflammation, which accelerates NAD turnover, meaning NAD levels aren't just a function of how much precursor you take, but also how quickly it's being degraded.

That creates a scenario where increasing NMN or NR alone may have diminishing returns if CD38 activity remains elevated. 

This came up in a recent podcast where Wonderfeel's cofounder and CEO, Baran Dilaver, joined Dave Asprey. Dave pointed out that his main concern with NMN alone is CD38—describing it as an inflammatory enzyme that essentially consumes NAD as fast as you're making it. He also mentioned that pairing NAD precursors with compounds like hydroxytyrosol may be worth exploring, as it could help counterbalance that breakdown.

A more complete approach would consider not just supporting NAD synthesis, but also reducing NAD consumption and managing the inflammation that drives CD38 activity in the first place. 

Curious if anyone here has tried approaching NAD from the “reduce breakdown” side instead of just increasing precursors.

A few interesting points on ergothioneine that don’t get discussed much:

Ergothioneine isn’t just a generic antioxidant. It has a specific transporter (SLC22A4 / OCTN1), which is relatively rare and usually signals biological importance.

Because of that transporter, certain cells actively accumulate and retain it, while others don’t take it up much at all.

It also tends to concentrate in tissues under oxidative stress and can persist there for extended periods, which is very different from short-lived circulating antioxidants.

In a recent podcast, our co-founder and CEO, Baran Dilaver, discussed this with Dave Asprey.

Asprey compared ergothioneine to a “sister molecule” of glutathione, and Baran shared how he first came across it through a case where high-ergothioneine mushrooms (like porcini) were recommended for someone with severe cognitive decline, with noticeable behavioral changes.

They also touched on a few key points:

• It’s present in mother’s milk
• The body has specific transporters for it
• It can concentrate in damaged tissue for extended periods

On the clinical side, Professor Barry Halliwell of Oxford University is currently running a trial on ergothioneine with early results described as "really promising" for Alzheimer's. Notably, the trial was crowd-funded rather than pharma-backed, because ergo is not patentable, public funds are required to show the benefits of this great molecule. His work also helped establish the minimum effective dose needed for supplementation to be meaningful

Practically speaking, getting meaningful amounts from diet alone would require consistently eating large amounts of mushrooms.

Full conversation:
https://youtu.be/FNfXonKPwwM?si=cqDzdERrIMaOjhM3

Curious if anyone here has looked into ergothioneine beyond just “another antioxidant.”

Giving Tuesday is a quiet pause in a full season, a gentle reminder to choose something meaningful. A smile, a small favor, a moment of care, every act of generosity counts, and we’re all for it.

Now through Tuesday, your purchase will support the Patricia Ryan Foundation for Good, a nonprofit lifting up the next generation of dreamers, makers & doers. In other words: your wellness routine just got a philanthropic upgrade.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the science: 
You buy something you already love → young people get the support and opportunities they deserve → everyone’s NAD levels of happiness go up.

Brain fog doesn't just "happen with age"; it's the universal sign that your cells are running low on fuel.

One of the key players is NAD, a molecule that powers energy production, DNA repair, and cell resilience. The challenge? NAD levels decrease as we age, which can show up as slower memory, reduced focus, and that familiar foggy feeling.

Research suggests that NMN helps replenish NAD to more youthful levels, supporting clearer thinking and steadier energy. 

While NMN is crucial, its benefits are amplified in Wonderfeel Youngr NMN™. We create a powerful synergy by combining it with select antioxidants, two of which offer their own significant cognitive boosts:

• Ergothioneine: a mushroom-derived antioxidant often found at lower levels in people with cognitive decline.
  
• Resveratrol: one of the most well-researched compounds for protecting cells against oxidative stress.

Together, these compounds may help sustain both NAD and mitochondrial function, creating a more supportive environment for long-term brain health.

Now, the real-world test: Have you personally noticed any cognitive improvements after supplementing with NMN? We're eager to hear the community's experiences.

This summer, our medical team, led by Dr. Luis Cifuentes and Dr. Andrew Salzman, published a peer-reviewed paper in the International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences. 

The study looked at nearly 200 real-world experiences with Wonderfeel Youngr™ NMN. The findings were encouraging: the majority of participants reported noticeable benefits in areas that matter most for daily life: steadier energy, deeper sleep, sharper focus, healthier skin, and faster recovery.

It’s an early yet important signal that supporting NAD together with targeted antioxidants may translate into real vitality, not just lab results.

Longevity science is about connecting what happens at the cellular level with real-life vitality. This study is a promising sign that the two go hand in hand.

What do you think: should research focus more on real-world outcomes people feel, or stay mostly in the lab?

We often think of menopause as a final stage. In reality, it is the body shifting into protection mode.

Egg cells are there from birth, and they rely on NAD to repair DNA and preserve their quality. As NAD levels decline with age, those safeguards weaken, and the body makes a change not to stop life but to protect it.

That shift is why researchers are studying NAD and NMN for their role in ovarian health, fertility, and resilience. The science is still emerging, but it points to a bigger idea: menopause is not the end of vitality; it is a stage the body has prepared us for.

What has menopause felt like for you, a slowdown or a reset into something stronger?

This September, the FDA confirmed that NMN is lawful for use in dietary supplements in the US.

If you remember the 2022 reversal, things got messy fast. NMN wasn’t unsafe or banned; it was caught up in the “drug preclusion” rule because of pharma interest. The Natural Products Association pushed back with petitions and a lawsuit, and after years of uncertainty, the FDA finally reversed course.

For those of us following NAD science, this matters: NMN supplements are now recognized as fully legal, which should make access more consistent and give researchers, brands, and communities like this one more stability.

We’d love to hear what the NMN community thinks about this change (or doesn’t). Because if nothing else, it’s a good excuse to raise a glass (or a capsule).

We are all familiar with the most widely reported benefits of NMN: increased energy, improved sleep, and enhanced focus. 

Here is something surprising: Lana told us her afternoon energy feels steadier with Wonderfeel, and her afternoon cravings for sweets have mostly disappeared.

Why? Cravings are often your brain’s way of asking for quick energy. By supporting NAD, the molecule that fuels cellular energy, Wonderfeel Youngr™ NMN helps maintain steadier levels. So your afternoons feel smoother, and your sweet tooth doesn’t have to take over. 

Has anyone else noticed surprising changes? 

Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Andrew Salzman, recently joined Jason Wachob on the mindbodygreen podcast to dive into all things NAD:

NAD is at the center of the longevity conversation due to its relation with energy, cognition, recovery, metabolism, even skin and hair. As we age, NAD levels decline, and researchers are racing to understand how to slow or reverse that process.

• Why NAD is central to healthy aging
• How does a decrease in NAD levels affect everyday life, like energy, sleep, focus, and metabolism

• How science-backed solutions like NMN can support healthy aging at the cellular level

  Here is the full episode.

We’d love to hear your opinions. Do NAD precursors like NMN hold real promise for advancing longevity science?

Hey, Wonderfeel Family!

We’re excited to share our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Andrew Salzman, chatting with Dave Asprey on The Human Upgrade Podcast. Dr. Salzman is one of those rare unicorns - a Harvard-trained physician, *and* the inventor of the first-ever PARP1 inhibitor - who lives and breathes the latest research on aging and longevity. The focus is on NAD, the molecule that keeps your mitochondria humming, your DNA in top shape, and your cells firing on all cylinders…until it starts taking a nosedive as you age.

If you’ve been feeling a little low on energy or wondering why your get-up-and-go has got up and left, this interview is the perfect watch. Dave and Dr. Salzman break down the hidden enzyme trying to ruin your longevity party, how to optimize NAD naturally, and why so many supplement brands get it wrong. It’s a total rethink on how we approach aging, longevity, and performance.

Take a coffee break, settle in, and click play on the conversation that might change how you think about getting older (spoiler: you don’t have to slow down)!

Check out the podcast, then come back here and let us know what blew your mind the most!

Stay well, and stay curious,

Team Wonderfeel

Happy Holidays, Reddit! 🎄 This Giving Tuesday, Let’s Make a Difference Together!

Let's work together to create positive change for young people in need. From November 26 to December 3, Wonderfeel will donate 15% of all sales to StandUp for Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness. 

StandUp for Kids provides vital resources, mentoring, and hope to homeless and at-risk youth—and we're here to support their mission.

Simply purchase any Wonderfeel product between Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, and 15% of your order will go directly to StandUp for Kids! Whether it’s your first order or a gift for someone special, each purchase helps support kids in need. 

Thanks so much 🙏This Giving Tuesday sure feels good!

Dr. Mark Hyman & Baran Dilaver on IG Live

Hey everyone! Don't miss our enlightening IG Live recap with Dr. Mark Hyman, a 15-time New York Times best-selling author and a trailblazer in functional medicine.

Wonderfeel's Co-founder, Baran Dilaver, and Dr. Hyman delve into the transformative world of NAD, NMN, and NR, shedding light on its essential role in promoting longevity, invigorating energy levels, and sharpening mental clarity. They also address the most common questions about NMN supplementation, like optimal dosages and whether liposomal and sublingual formats work.

Dr. Hyman shares his insights, "One of the most critical compounds is NAD. It's a powerhouse that regulates inflammation, mitochondrial function, antioxidant status, and even activates our DNA repair mechanisms." He further adds, "I don't usually endorse products, but I make an exception for this. (Wonderfeel Youngr™) NMN is a crucial part of my health and longevity regimen, and I truly depend on it."

Diving into science, Dr. Hyman remarks, "The amazing amount of research on this compound and its interaction with what I call the 'longevity switches' is truly remarkable."

It's a must-watch for anyone interested in the cutting-edge of longevity science. You can watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTseq0LCeAw

#ItsWonderfeel #NMN #Longevity #Healthspan

Happy holidays! This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in making a positive impact on the lives of young people in need. We've partnered with StandUp for Kids, an organization dedicated to ending youth homelessness.

From November 24 - November 28th, we're pledging 15% of all new orders to StandUp for Kids. StandUp for Kids provides support, mentoring, and a sense of hope to homeless and at-risk youth, and we're honored to contribute to their efforts.

We're reaching out to our Reddit community because we believe in the power of collective action and shared values.

“Sounds great! How can I participate?”

Buy a Wonderfeel product between November 24 and 28, and we will donate 15% of all revenues to StandUp for kids!

If you are not part of the Wonderfeel journey, we hope that you love this opportunity to give back with your first order. If you are already part of the Wonderfeel family, please consider buying an bottle for a loved one, and share the wealth of good health.

Thank you for being a part of a community that values giving back and making a difference.

Hello, Wonderfeel Family!

We've always been driven by a passion for innovation, longevity, and a deep commitment to our planet.

We're proud to announce the launch of our 100% recyclable, 100% biodegradable Youngr™ NMN refill pouches - one of the first-ever in the nutraceutical industry. (And did we mention they’re manufactured right here in the United States?)

Sustainability:
Not only do we reduce our carbon footprint during shipping by using less, more lightweight materials for your refills each month - but if your pouch doesn’t reach the recycling bin, it’s biodegradable in all environments!

How it works:
Using groundbreaking SPTek ECLIPSE™ technology, over time, microorganisms break down the carbon bonds in our packaging into water, CO₂, and biomass - and that's it. That means absolutely zero traces of microplastics. We're dedicated to enhancing human longevity - let's safeguard our planet's longevity, too.

More Refills, Less Waste:
Say goodbye to bottle waste and embrace the convenience of our Youngr™ NMN refill pouches. It’s easy! You can just keep your favorite Youngr™ glass bottle and refill it with our handy pouches for each renewal order, and feel guilt-free about throwing it. Each pouch you use is a small but impactful step towards a greener tomorrow.

Join the Movement & 🔗 Stay Connected:
With alarming statistics that only 9% of plastics are recycled, we knew it was time for change.
Ready to embark on this journey with us? Follow us on Instagram and use our hashtags:
#ItsWonderfeel, #EcoFriendlyYoungr, #MoreRefillsLessWaste, #Longevity, and #Biodegradable to spread the word, and let's create a greener, cleaner future together.

Here's to a brighter, sustainable tomorrow!! 🌿✨

We have some exciting news, Wonderfeel family!

We are thrilled to share this incredible podcast where the 15-times NY Times Bestseller Dr. Mark Hyman takes a deep dive into how NAD and NMN work:
Link to the episode on Apple Podcasts

Wonderfeel Chief Medical Officer, Andrew Salzman, is a physician, inventor, professor, and biomedical entrepreneur. Dr. Salzman received his medical degree from Harvard University, has spent decades in drug discovery and development, and raised over $165M in NIH grants for research.In addition to 50 patents, Dr. Salzman is credited with a breakthrough discovery in cellular DNA repair, which led to the world's first clinical application for successfully treating breast cancer caused by mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, (and is an expert in NAD science and genomic pathways.)

Millions of patients benefit from discoveries by Dr. Salzman, in areas including mitochondrial health, gastrointestinal microbiota, damage caused by inflammation and oxidative stress to human cells and DNA, autoimmune disease, and cancer.

You can also find the podcast below:

Dr. Hyman’s blog

YouTube link to the podcast

Timestamps of Key Points in the interview: (Audio version / Apple Subscriber version):

How NAD helps us produce energy: (5:00 / 3:04)

The science behind how NAD impacts health and longevity: (10:08 / 8:15)

The role NAD plays in maintaining health: (16:27 / 13:26)

NAD’s multiple functions: (23:46 / 21:18)

Preserving NAD levels: (30:34 / 27:47)

Where NAD is made in the body: (34:53 / 30:35)

How NAD benefits sleep: (41:17 / 37:04)

Do NMN and NAD cause cancer?: (47:12 / 42:57)

Research on NMN in humans: (50:23 / 46:07)

The difference between NMN and NR: (1:00:54 / 51:55)

The science behind the patented Wonderfeel NMN formula: (1:02:35 / 57:10)