NAC vs NAD vs NR vs NMN vs Niacin: What Are the Differences?

NAC vs NAD vs NR vs Niacin vs NMN. Due to the small alphabetical differences, these supplements are often mixed up and confused by most consumers. We will cover the essentials and explain about each of these supplements below.

NAD vs NAD+ vs NR

Contents

  • NAD
    • NAD vs NAD+
    • NAD+ for Anti Aging
    • NAD+ Helps Restore Age-Related Muscle Deterioration
    • NAD and Resveratrol
    • Naturally Boosting NAD Levels
    • NAD Supplements
  • NAC
  • Niacin (NA)
  • NR
  • NMN
  • NAC vs NMN
  • Gluthatione vs NAC
  • NAC vs Niacin
  • NR vs NMN
    • Can you take NR and NMN together?
  • Niacin vs NR vs NMN
  • Stability and Storage of NMN and NR
  • Related Articles

NAD

NAD is a type of coenzyme found in all living cells. NAD plays important roles in a variety of metabolic reactions, including energy production and DNA repair.

NAD is derived from Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and various other precursors. NR is one of the 3 main forms of Niacin (vitamin B3).

NR, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), Niacin (NA) and Niacinamide (NAM) are all NAD precursors, meaning all these precursors will be transformed into NAD. That said, each precursor has it's own different pathway that will lead to NAD.


NAD+ is a substrate for a number of important enzymes, including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), which is known as a classic longevity protein. NAD+ is also essential in metabolic processes such as creating ATP in your mitochondria. It accepts and donates electrons and is used in oxidation-reduction reactions in the mitochondrial electron transport chain.

Given the critical role of NAD+ in ATP production and as a substrate for cellular repair and regeneration pathways, it is unsurprising that NAD+ restoration has become of interest as a therapeutic tool for several conditions.

Scientific research has highlighted conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, muscle disorders, metabolic disorders and chronic conditions (such as long COVID) which are all linked with NAD+ depletion.

Given that the whole goal of taking NR and NMN supplements is to increase NAD+ levels, why not take NAD+ itself?

The problem is that NAD+ is a large molecule. If you take it orally, it gets broken down in the gut.

NAD+ can however be delivered intravenously, skipping the digestive tract. Some clinics offer NAD+ delivered via an intravenous (IV) injection.

However, intravenous NAD+ causes sudden very high peaks of NAD+ in the blood. Too much NAD+ can perhaps also not be a good thing, for example causing too much reductive stress (R).

Furthermore, occasional NAD+ infusions are not ideal. Ideally, NAD+ levels should be increased consistently, such as daily, which can be achieved by taking a daily NMN supplement for a gentler increase in NAD+ levels.


NAD vs NAD+: What's the Difference?

If you have done any research on aging and health recently, you have likely stumbled across the so-called anti-aging molecule, NAD. You have probably also seen it called NAD+ and maybe even as NADH. So, what is the difference, if there is any?

The short answer is that there is a difference, at least between NAD and NADH. Generally speaking, when NAD is used, NAD is being talked about generally. And often when using “NAD” it is referring to the specific chemical forms of NAD, NAD+ and NADH, interchangeably.

NAD exists in two forms: NAD+ and NADH. Its ability to switch between these two forms is what allows NAD to carry out its main function—carrying electrons from one reaction to another in the process of metabolism and energy production. Therefore, NAD is more of a collective term to describe two sides of the same coin.

As an electron carrier, NAD+ and NADH help to convert the nutrients in your food into a form of energy your cells can use.

NAD+ for Anti Aging

The levels of NAD in our body determine the speed of aging process. In younger cells and tissues, the levels of NAD are higher. As a result, younger people tend to have better physical activity, cognitive function and potential for cell repair and regeneration. As we grow, the levels of NAD in our body start to decline. This is reflected in the form of slowed cognitive response, loss of memory and reduced agility.

Research suggests it may be possible to reverse mitochondrial decay with dietary supplements that increase cellular levels of a molecule called NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide).

NAD is a linchpin of energy metabolism, among other roles, and its diminishing level with age has been implicated in mitochondrial deterioration. Supplements containing nicotinamide riboside, or NR, a precursor to NAD that's found in trace amounts in milk, might be able to boost NAD levels. In support of that idea, half a dozen Nobel laureates and other prominent scientists are working with two small companies offering NR supplements.

The NAD story took off toward the end of 2013 with a high-profile paper by Harvard's David Sinclair and colleagues. Sinclair, recall, achieved fame in the mid-2000s for research on yeast and mice that suggested the red wine ingredient resveratrol mimics anti-aging effects of calorie restriction. This time his lab made headlines by reporting that the mitochondria in muscles of elderly mice were restored to a youthful state after just a week of injections with NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), a molecule that naturally occurs in cells and, like NR, boosts levels of NAD.

Related: NAD Supplements and Cancer

NAD+ Helps Restore Age-Related Muscle Deterioration

As reported by Science Daily, scientists recently discovered that Alzheimer's-like protein aggregates underlie the muscle deterioration commonly seen in aging, and that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is essential for combating this condition.

Their study, published in the journal Cell Reports, showed that protein aggregates (amyloid) could be blocked by boosting the levels of NAD+, a biomolecule that is also essential for maintaining mitochondrial function.

NAD+ boosting molecules such as nicotinamide riboside (NR), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3 or niacin) and nicotinic acid (niacin) have all been shown to protect against age-related muscle disease.

Related: The Crucial Role of NAD+ in Optimal Health

NAD and Resveratrol

NAD boosters might work synergistically with supplements like resveratrol to help reinvigorate mitochondria and ward off diseases of aging. Elysium is banking on this potential synergy—its NR-containing supplement includes a resveratrol-like substance called pterostilbene (pronounced tero-STILL-bean), which is found in blueberries and grapes.

While resveratrol has hogged the anti-aging spotlight over the past decade, unsung researchers in places like Oxford, Miss., have quietly shown that pterostilbene is a kind of extra-potent version of resveratrol. The pterostilbene molecule is nearly identical to resveratrol's except for a couple of differences that make it more "bioavailable" (animal studies indicate that about four times as much ingested pterostilbene gets into the bloodstream as resveratrol). Test-tube and rodent studies also suggest that pterostilbene is more potent than resveratrol when it comes to improving brain function, warding off various kinds of cancer and preventing heart disease.

How excited should we be about all this? If I were a middle-aged mouse, I'd be ready to spend some of the nickels and dimes I'd dragged off the sidewalk to try NR supplements. Even before Sinclair's paper, researchers had shown in 2012 that when given doses of NR, mice on high-fat diets gained 60 percent less weight than they did on the same diets without NR. Further, none of the mice on NR showed signs of diabetes, and their energy levels improved. The scientists reportedly characterized NR's effects on metabolism as "nothing short of astonishing."

But the paucity of human data gives me pause. Nobel laureates notwithstanding, I plan to wait until more is known before jumping up from the supper table to run out for some NR. Besides, it probably won’t be long before more data come out given the growing buzz about NAD.

Read more: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/beyond-resveratrol-the-anti-aging-nad-fad/

NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)

N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC) is a precursor of the antioxidant glutathione, helps to replenish intracellular glutathione, a vital cellular antioxidant. NAC has a low molecular weight and is well absorbed via oral administration. 

2017 paper found NAC has potent thrombolytic effects, meaning it breaks down blood clots once they've formed.

Importantly, NAC may also protect against other problems associated with COVID-19, including the hypercoagulation that can result in stroke and/or blood clots that impair the ability to exchange oxygen in the lungs.

Many COVID-19 patients experience serious blood clots, and NAC counteracts hypercoagulation, as it has both anticoagulant and platelet-inhibiting properties.

NAC also inhibits cellular entry and replication of some respiratory viruses, assists in clearing thickened mucous from the airways, suppresses inflammatory signalling, and may help mitigate viral infection-induced cytokine storm (Ref).

However, studies show that NAC can increase the spread (metastasis) of cancer (RR). Which makes sense: cancer cells are fast dividing cells that don’t regulate their metabolism well, so they produce lots of free radicals. Antioxidants like N-acetyl-cysteine mop up these oxidants, something which is very helpful for free-radical ridden cancer cells.

Therefore, to err on the side of caution, we currently do not recommend taking N-acetyl-cysteine on long term basis.


Niacin (NA)

Niacin or the original vitamin B3 is another precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). There are three main forms of vitamin B3, which are dietary precursors to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). These are nicotinamide riboside (NR), nicotinic acid and nicotinamide; collectively referred to as vitamin B3.

Vitamin B3 deficiency may result in a condition called pellagra, characterized by mental confusion, diarrhea and scaly skin sores. Deficiencies, however, are rare and often confined to people with trouble absorbing the vitamin from their food.

Niacin is available as a supplement, but comes with several potential side effects, especially when taken in large doses. One of those side effects is commonly known as a niacin flush.

While the niacin flush is harmless, long-term use of niacin does have significant side effects that may be dangerous. The sustained release form of niacin may be hepatotoxic, causing irreparable damage to your liver. However non-sustained release forms do not cause this problem and are safe. (Ref)

Research also finds long-term use of niacin, prescribed for nearly 50 years at high doses to reduce cholesterol levels, has been linked with an increased risk of death and no association with a reduction in heart attacks or strokes. (Ref)

While high doses have been found to reduce cholesterol, an increase in cholesterol is not the causative factor behind heart attack and stroke. (USA Today)

The increased risks in study participants associated with high doses of niacin included excessive bleeding, gout, development of diabetes in those who didn't have it when the study began, liver problems, excessive infections and loss of blood sugar control in diabetics. (Ref)

Macular edema has also been noted in people using niacin in doses more than 1500 mg per day. The effect of maculopathy occurred from one to 36 months after high-dose niacin was initiated. Cystoid macular edema causes painless vision loss, resulting in blindness. It has also been noted in patients taking lower doses of niacin. In one study, the effects of maculopathy reversed when the supplement was discontinued.

NR (Nicotinamide Riboside)

There are multiple precursors to NAD+, each with its own physiologic effects. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a popular one with several notable benefits over other precursors like niacin (NA) and niacinamide (NAM). NA, for instance, may induce uncomfortable flushing, while NAM may inhibit sirtuin at high doses, both undesirable effects.

NIAGEN® is the trade name for Chromadex's proprietary NR ingredient, and protected by patents.  Chromadex's finished Niagen product is sold under the brand Tru Niagen.

Because of its unique profile of benefits and low risks, NR has emerged as a popular choice, especially by its discoverer, biochemist Charles Brenner, among the NAD+ precursors. In Scientific Reports, researchers noted:

“Because NR does not cause flushing or inhibit sirtuins and the genes (NRK1 and NRK2) required for the metabolism of NR to NAD+ are upregulated in conditions of metabolic stress, NR has a particularly strong potential as a distinct vitamin B3 to support human wellness during metabolic stress and aging.”

“Therefore, administration of niacin or niacinamide is unlikely to be widely adopted for maintaining health and function with aging,” researchers wrote in Nature Communications.

Within your body, nicotinamide riboside is converted into NAD+, a helper molecule that exists inside each of your cells and supports many aspects of healthy aging.

Nicotinamide riboside supplements — such as niagen — have quickly become popular because they appear to be especially effective at raising NAD+ levels (Source). Nicotinamide riboside is also found in trace amounts in cows’ milk, yeast and beer (Source).

NMN

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a molecule that is a precursor to the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), which plays important roles in energy production, DNA repair, and other cellular processes in the body. NMN is a type of nucleotide, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA.

NMN is found in small amounts in some foods, such as edamame and other types of green vegetables. NMN can also be taken as a dietary supplement, it is used to support the production of NAD+ and is being studied as a potential therapy for age-related diseases and as a way to promote overall wellness and longevity.

NAC vs NAD

The similarity in terms of spelling with the only difference in one character, these two popular nutrients are often mixed up and confused by most consumers. However, scientifically these two molecules are related to two distinctively different nutrients. NAC is related to glutathione, an antioxidant whereas NAD is related to vitamin B complex. 

NAD+ is primarily used in treatments for chronic fatigue, Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases and in anti-aging field. While NAD+ is related to energy production, NAC is more focused on supporting the detoxification process in the body and the production of glutathione.

NADPH (also often confused with NAD) is responsible for generating free radicals in immune cells by NADPH oxidase. These radicals are used to destroy pathogens.

Hyperglycemia increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the resulting oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is one of the major sources of ROS production in diabetes. In this study, NAC inhibits NADPH oxidase activation in diabetes and reduces tissue oxidative damage in all organs.

Glutathione vs NAC

Glutathione and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) are related compounds with different roles in the body.

Glutathione is a tripeptide (a molecule made up of three amino acids) that acts as a powerful antioxidant and detoxifying agent in the body. It is found in every cell in the body, and plays a critical role in protecting cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as free radicals. Glutathione also helps to detoxify harmful substances, such as heavy metals and other toxins.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement that is a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione. NAC is converted into cysteine, which is then used to produce glutathione in the body. It is commonly used as a mucolytic to help break down thick mucus in the lungs and as a liver protectant.

In summary, Glutathione is a tripeptide produced by the body and it acts as an antioxidant and detoxifying agent. NAC is a supplement that support the body's production of Glutathione. Both are important for general health and well-being, but they have different functions in the body.

Taking glutathione by mouth does not appear to be an effective way to get it into your body. Its bioavailability is low and is also thought that glutathione may be broken down by enzymes in the stomach.

NAC has a low molecular weight and is well absorbed via oral administration.


NAC vs Niacin / Is NAC different from Niacin? 

Yes, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and Niacin (also known as vitamin B3) are two different compounds with different functions in the body. Niacin is part of the vitamin B complex whereas NAC is a precursor of glutathione.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement that is a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione, which plays a role in the detoxification of harmful substances in the body. It is also commonly used as a mucolytic to help break down thick mucus in the lungs and as a liver protectant.

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient that is important for the metabolism of energy and the synthesis of various substances in the body, such as hormones and enzymes. It also plays a role in maintaining healthy skin and nerves. Niacin is found in a variety of foods, including meat, fish, and cereals, and can also be taken as a dietary supplement.

While NAC is used primarily to support the body's detoxification process, Niacin is a vitamin which is important for a wide range of bodily functions. Niacin deficiency is rare because it's found in many foods and it can also be taken as a supplement, while NAC is not an essential nutrient, but it may offer benefits when used as a supplement.

NR vs NMN

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are both precursors to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme that plays important roles in energy production, DNA repair, and other cellular processes.

The primary difference is that NR is a form of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), while NMN is a type of nucleotide. 

NMN is converted into NAD+ directly by enzymes in the body, while NR needs to go through an additional step in the body in order to be converted into NAD+. 

NR is converted into NAD+ in the body and is used to support the production of NAD+ . It is used in therapies for aging, weight loss, and cognitive decline.

NMN is also a precursor to NAD+ and is used to support the production of NAD+ . NMN is a type of nucleotide, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, NMN is found in small amounts in some foods, such as edamame.

Both NR and NMN supplements are used to boost NAD+ levels in the body, and are used to support the anti-aging and overall wellness, However, NMN is directly converted into NAD+ by cells, while NR needs to go through an additional step in the body in order to be converted into NAD+.

NR used to be considered superior because no NMN transporter — required to get it into cells — had been detected. 

We now know there is such a transporter (published in Nature in 2019: R, R), which gives NMN the advantage as it’s also a more direct NAD+ precursor. However, this is disputed by Chromadex in a 2019 publication.

Chromadex claimed that NMN must first be converted into NR in the blood before it can be used by the cells.

Pitting NR and NMN against each other is, for now, somewhat of a moot point because the two molecules have never been studied side by side in humans. The biggest, and most obvious, difference between NMN and NR is size. NMN is simply larger than NR, meaning it often needs to be broken down to fit into the cell. NR (Nicotinamide Riboside), when compared to other NAD+ precursors (like nicotinic acid or nicotinamide) reigns supreme in efficiency.

But give NMN a new door, one it can fit through, and it’s a whole new game. This is where cellular transporters come into play. Transporters are proteins that are doors on the cell; they allow molecules to enter the cell without needing to chemically transform.

As research grows, it is likely to become clearer that NMN and NR may have differing benefits depending on the part of the body and their use. Where NMN transporters are found, they could make one more preferable over the other. NMN has also been found to improve insulin activity and production which could help to accelerate metabolisms and make the body more glucose tolerant.

That said, according to David Sinclair in this podcast:

NAD is a big molecule relative to vitamin B3. It's got those phosphates on there. It's got a sugar. It's got the vitamin B attached. So you've got all these components that come together to make this very complicated molecule called NAD. And when you give NMN, it contains all three components that the body needs to make NAD. If you give NR or just vitamin B3, which is an even smaller molecule, the body has to find these other components from somewhere else. So where do you get phosphate? Well, body needs it for DNA, needs it for bones. So high doses of something that requires additional phosphate makes me a little concerned, and we have compared NMN and NR head-to-head in mouse studies. We've shown that NMN makes mice run further, old mice can run 50% further because they better blood flow, better energy. NR the same dose did not do that. In fact, it had no effect.

Related:
@_bryan_johnson_

NR vs NMN? I used each for 90 days & both were effective in getting my intracellular NAD levels to age 16 equivalent, 31 yr age reversal as semi-indirect bioage marker. Recent levels 54.6μM via Jinfiniti test. Full protocol in bio.

♬ original sound - Bryan Johnson

Supplement manufacturer ChromaDex alleges that testing has revealed that more than half of NMN anti aging supplements being sold on Amazon contained almost none of the bioactive molecule. Source: ChromaDex NMN Report (Oct 2021)

ChromaDex markets TruNiagen, which is based on its branded Niagen ingredient, which is a form of nicotinamide riboside (NR), the form of nicotinamide that actively crosses into the cell to participate in the NAD+ pathway. Boosting this pathway, and thus maintaining cellular function at a lively, youthful level, has become a prominent theme in recent anti aging research.

Recently researchers have argued that a transporter exists for NMN too, which is something that ChromaDex disputes. It claims that NMN must first be converted into NR in the blood before it can be used by the cells.

In the several years since the NMN transporter discovery was asserted, the NAD+ anti aging field has become crowded with NMN based supplements all seeking a piece of the pie created by ChromaDex and its competitor and one time customer Elysium. (The two companies have been locked in various patent infringement and breach of contract suits for several years.)

Last fall, ChromaDex obtained 22 samples of NMN products being sold on Amazon. Of these, 14 claimed to contain 500 mg of NMN. A further two products calimed 300 mg on the label; five claimed 250 mg and one product claimed 125 mg.

Only one of the 500 mg products came close to meeting label claim. It had 456 mg of NMN. All of the other 13 products in the 500 mg group either came in at below reporting limit (BRL, defined as less than 1% of the stated amount) or, in the case of 3 products, no NMN was detected at all.

Almost all of the rest of the products performed better, having at least 88% of the label claim. A lone 250 mg product was identified as BRL.

In summary, ChromaDex said that 64% of the products tested contained less than 1% of the stated amount of the active ingredient, which should give consumers pause, the company said.

"While this is a limited snapshot of the vast NMN finished product landscape, it does provide a glimpse into the high variability of product quality that is available... According to this study, the majority of the products one might purchase online contain such a small amount of NMN that there would be no clinical benefits achieved from the dose. Another concern with these adulterated products is that the actual contents are not known and could pose a risk to the user," the company said in a statement.

Editor's Note: In February 2022, another third-party investigation uncovered tens of thousands of fake supplements sold on Amazon. Many of these included NMN.

Can you take NR and NMN together?

There have been no studies on taking NMN & NR together, and it would be best to test both separately and find which one you respond better to. You may be wasting your time (and money) taking both NMN & NR together as studies show that the majority of the time, NR is turned into NMN which is then turned into NAD+.

Niacin vs NR vs NMN

Niacin, nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are all NAD precursors and related compounds, but they have different functions in the body.

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) and niacin (also known as vitamin B3) are two different forms of vitamin B3, which is an essential nutrient that is important for the metabolism of energy and the synthesis of various substances in the body, such as hormones and enzymes.

NR is a form of vitamin B3 that can be found in milk and milk products. It is converted into the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in the body, and is being studied as a potential therapy for age-related diseases, weight loss, and cognitive decline.

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient that is important for the metabolism of energy and the synthesis of various substances in the body, such as hormones and enzymes. It also plays a role in maintaining healthy skin and nerves. Niacin is found in a variety of foods, including meat, fish, and cereals, and can also be taken as a dietary supplement.

Both NR and niacin are forms of vitamin B3, but NR is specifically being researched as a NAD+ booster, while niacin or Vitamin B3 is a well-established nutrient, with a wide range of benefits that are well-documented in scientific literature. 

NMN is another molecule that is a precursor to NAD+. It is a type of nucleotide, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. NMN is found in small amounts in some foods, such as edamame, and can also be taken as a dietary supplement to support the production of NAD+ in the body.

A meta-analysis (Zhong 2022) was performed to investigate the effects of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) precursor supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism in human body. The main research terms of NAD+ precursors were Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), Nicotinic Acid (NA), Nicotinamide (NAM). 

In this study, a meta-analysis based on currently published clinical trials with NAD+ precursors showed that supplementation with NAD+ precursors improved TG (TriGlyceride), TC (Total Cholesterol), LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein), and HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) levels in humans, but resulted in hyperglycemia, compared with placebo or no treatment.

Among them, NA (Nicotinic Acid) or Niacin has the most significant effect on improving lipid metabolism.

NMN vs NAC

NMN is a precursor to NAD whereas NAC is a precursor to glutathione. Both compounds have different effects on the body, while NMN aims to boost NAD+ levels, NAC aims to support the detoxification process.

NMN is a precursor to NAD+ which is involved in energy production, DNA repair and other cellular processes. NAC is a supplement that support the body's production of Glutathione, the body's primary antioxidant, which helps to detoxify harmful substances in the body. 

Stability and storage of NMN and NR

A stability analysis demonstrates NR is stable (does not undergo degradation) for up to six hours at room temperature and seven days at two to eight degrees Celsius. Regarding stability of NMN and NR, David Sinclair, PhD, A.O. of Harvard University says, “Make sure your NR and NMN is kept in the cold. If it’s just on the shelf and it’s not in a stabilized form, then it will degrade to nicotinamide, which is something you don’t want to take high doses of because we’ve shown in my lab many years ago that nicotinamide will inhibit the sirtuins, and PARP as well, and interfere with DNA repair.”

Nicotinamide (niacinamide) vs niacin (nicotinic acid)

Niacin (also known as nicotinic acid) and nicotinamide (NAM, also known as niacinamide) are all different forms of vitamin B3.

It is not recommended to take nicotinamide (NAM). Firstly, NAM is too early in the pathway that converts NAM into NAD+. The pathway is as follows:

NAM => NMN => NAD+

So NAM needs first to be converted into NMN which then builds NAD+. It’s better to take NMN, which is a direct precursor to NAD+.

Secondly, nicotinamide could actually inhibit sirtuins, the important enzymes that help to protect the DNA and the epigenome.

This is because NAD+ is converted into NAM in order to “activate” the sirtuins. If there is too much NAM present, this will hinder this conversion of NAD+ into NAM, and thus proper sirtuin functioning (R).

Niacin, another B3 vitamin, is also a less ideal way to increase NAD+ levels.

Contrary to NMN, niacin is far earlier in the pathway to create NAD+. Given niacin is so early in this pathway, and given its involvement in many other pathways, niacin can lead to more side effects.

For example, niacin supplements have been associated with side effects such as flushing (which is quite uncomfortable) and increased glucose levels, which could perhaps increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in the long term (R,R).


How can I raise my NAD levels naturally?

If you want to remain youthful and enjoy a long and healthy life, then there are ways in which you can naturally enhance the levels of NAD in your body. Continue reading to find out how:

1. Fasting 
Fasting is practiced in many religions throughout the world. In addition to its spiritual benefits, it turns out that fasting is also beneficial for our health. Fasting, or reducing your calorie intake is an excellent method for indirectly boosting the body’s NAD levels. Fasting has been shown to increase the levels of NAD+ and surtuins; the proteins which have been found to slow the aging process. 

While fasting is effective in increasing NAD+ levels, drastic reduction in calorie intake or fasting can have a counterproductive effect. There is also some speculation that intermittent fasting or adopting a low carb-ketogenic diet may also provide similar positive results.

2. Nicotinamide Riboside and other NAD Boosting Dietary Supplements 
Nicotinamide Riboside has recently been discovered in Vitamin B3. No one really paid attention to this molecule until research showed that our bodies can use NR to metabolise NAD+! After this discovery, several NR supplements became available in the markets. Various studies have shown that NR supplements are beneficial in boosting the levels of NAD+ in the body.

3. Exercise 
Exercise is one of the easiest and most cost-effective methods for boosting NAD+ levels. When we exercise, our bodies need energy, which comes from NAD+. Basically, exercise forces our body muscles to produce more mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of cells. The increased production of mitochondria results in a natural boost in NAD+ levels in the body.

4. Too Much Sunlight May not be Good! 
Research has shown that too much direct sunlight exposure can deplete the body of NAD+ levels. This is because our body uses NAD+ to repair cells which get damaged as a result of direct UV ray exposure from the sunlight. In case you feel that excessive sunlight exposure is inevitable for you, then you should wear sunblock, sunscreen or sunglasses.

5. Foods which Boost NAD Levels 
There are certain foods which can boost NAD levels in the body. Some of them include:
  • Dairy Milk – research has indicated that cow’s milk is a good source of Nicotinamide Riboside (NR). A litre of fresh cow’s milk contains about 3.9µmol of NAD+. 
  • Fish – some varieties of fish like tuna, salmons and sardines are rich sources of NAD+ for the body.
  • Mushrooms – many people like mushrooms and them as a regular food item in their regular diet. But did you know that mushrooms, especially the crimini mushrooms, also help in naturally boosting NAD levels? Yes, that’s true. So, enjoy eating the mushrooms and continue to look and younger and more youthful!
  • Yeast – yeast is an ingredient which is used for making bread and other bakery products. Yeast contains Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), which is a precursor of NAD. Here’s another reason for you to enjoy your favorite pastries or buns whenever you visit the bakery! Enjoy your favorite food while boosting NAD levels at the same time. 
  • Green Vegetables – green vegetables contain all sorts of nutrients in them which are beneficial in a variety of ways. Recently, it has come to light that green vegetables are also a good source of NAD for the body. Some of these vegetables include peas and asparagus.
  • Whole Grains – as discussed earlier, Vitamin B3 also contains Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), the precursor for NAD. However, when vegetables, food items or grains are cooked or processed, they lose their nutrition as well as the vitamin source. Therefore, it is recommended that you should also eat raw vegetables and take whole grains instead of processed foods.
  • Cut Down on Alcoholic Beverages – NAD is responsible for maintaining the overall metabolic processes of the body. Alcohol tends to interfere with these processes and reduce the efficacy of NAD. Therefore, you should avoid excessive intake of alcoholic drinks since they are also not good for your health.

Key Takeaways

It should be stressed that increasing NAD alone may not be enough to decelerate your aging process. High energy carrying molecules like ATP, antioxidants like glutathione and hormones like the stress hormone, cortisol also play a significant role in the aging process.

A more effective approach would be to manage all these factors together as a cohesive whole rather than individually.

If your objective is to live a longer, healthier life, a study conducted by Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health lays out five practices, none of which needs to involve a fad.

The five low-risk factors are the following:

1. Avoid smoking. Low risk is defined as low exposure to smoking.

2. Maintain a healthy weight. Low risk is defined as a Body Mass Index in the range of 18.5 to 24.9. BMI is a ratio of weight to height that, though imperfect, offers a quick and easy assessment of weight status.

3. Exercise regularly. Low risk is defined as moderate- or ­vigorous-intensity exercise for 30 or more minutes a day.

4. Consume moderate amounts of alcohol. Low risk is defined as one-half to one drink per day for women and one-half to two drinks per day for men.
Editor's view: We are not big fans of consuming alcohol. 

5. Maintain an overall healthy diet. Low risk is defined as a diet with high intakes of vegetables, fruit, nuts, whole grains and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, and low intakes of red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, trans fat and sodium.

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