In this article, we explain what NAD+ is and the differences between NMN and NR.
What is NAD+?
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is an essential coenzyme required for life and cellular functions. Enzymes are catalysts that enable biochemical reactions. Coenzymes are ‘auxiliary molecules’ that enzymes need to function. Without NAD+, there is no life. NAD+ is used by many proteins throughout the body, such as sirtuins, which repair damaged DNA. It is also important for mitochondria, the cell’s power plants that produce the energy for our bodies.
The problem is that as we age, our NAD production decreases, and the NAD level in our cells drops. The amount also drops due to stress factors, such as alcohol consumption, intense exercise and lack of sleep.
Anti-ageing scientists are therefore constantly looking for ways to maintain the body’s NAD+ levels to slow ageing processes. NMN and NR may play an important role here.
What is NMN?
NMN is a Vitamin B3 derivative naturally produced in the body and found in fruits and vegetables, including cabbage, cucumber, tomato and avocado. NMN is a precursor of NAD+. It is a building block required for the production of NAD+.
Studies in animals have shown that NMN supplementation increases NAD+ levels. This activates sirtuins, prolonging the lifespan of yeast, worms, and mice. Studies on animals are promising, but little research has been done on humans.
Recently, Prof Andrea Maier published a study showing that NMN supplementation is safe and leads to higher levels of NAD+ in the blood. Moreover, it had a positive impact on endurance and general health conditions of the test subjects.
What is NR?
NR (Nicotinamide Riboside), like NMN, is a form of vitamin B3 and occurs naturally in minimal amounts in milk and yeast. However, you would have to drink a lot of milk to get a noticeable difference in NR from your diet.
NR, like NMN, is a building block for the production of NAD+. They are chemically identical, except for one phosphate group on NMN. Research has shown that this extra phosphate group on NMN must first be removed, after which it is converted into nicotinamide riboside before it can enter the cell. In the cell, NR is converted back to NMN, which is then converted to NAD+. This means that consumption of NR is more efficient because the first step is skipped. In other words, NR can enter the cell immediately, and NMN cannot.
Studies show that both NMN and NR are safe to consume. However, more studies have shown the effectiveness of NR supplementation than NMN.
Conclusion
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is an excellent alternative to NMN. NR has not received as much publicity as NMN, but more clinical research is available on its efficacy and safety for humans. Both molecules are very similar and they both play a role in NAD+ production. Scientific research has not (yet) shown which of them is more effective.