NAD+ is a staple of anti-aging and longevity. It is thought to be involved with your brain, nerves, heart, obesity, and diabetes. There have been so many studies in mice showing the benefits of increasing your NAD levels, which wane with aging. But how should you supplement? What is your goal? What is the best way? Human studies are just coming out in force. We, at Biohackr Health, are keeping up-to-date on the latest studies.
This is a 2023 article in Molecules, “Nicotinamide Riboside, a Promising Vitamin B3 Derivative for Healthy Aging and Longevity: Current Research and Perspectives.” We liked this study because it was a comprehensive review of the studies out there.
Just for ease of typing, in this space:
- NAD = nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
- NR = nicotinamide riboside, a form of Vitamin B3
- NA = nicotinic acid/niacin. In particular, NR influences energy metabolism and neuro protection
- NMN= nicotinamide mononucleotide
- NAM = nicotinamide
- NA = nicotinic Acid/niacin
When taking an oral supplement, you cannot take NAD. You need to take NR or NMN, which are precursors to help increase your body’s NAD. You can get NAD via an IV.
In this review, they state some important facts:
- NR borate is more stable than NR itself. NR by itself is reactive molecule, so it is unstable during manufacturing, transport, and storage. When adding the borate, it keeps it more stable. When eaten, the borate dissociates, leaving the NR behind to act as itself.
- The original supplement was from July 2013, NR Chloride. This is not as stable, so it is not always NR you are getting.
- The “classical” NAD precursor given was Vitamin B3. The issue with Nicotinamide (NAM) or Niacin (NA) is liver toxicity, short duration in the body, and — with niacin — large amounts caused skin flushing.
- NR is found in foods, particularly yeast and dairy products, but the levels are low.
Due to all of these issues, we use NMN as our oral form of NAD precursor. It is stable, well-studied, and less expensive. After vetting companies all over the country, we now carry our preferred quality-controlled, vetted brand in our clinics.
Our Biohackr Store can be found here. Though we strongly recommend our comprehensive two-month program, which includes testing, IV NAD, oral NMN, and restesting.
