Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a chemical compound that acts as a NAD+ precursor and can be converted into NAD+ in our body. NAD+ is an important cofactor for many important biochemical reactions. In addition, NR belongs to the class of B3 vitamins and plays a crucial role in the respiratory chain in the mitochondria, the “power plants” of our cells. Therefore, it plays a crucial role in supplying our body with energy.
Nicotinamide riboside is often used as a dietary supplement due to its potential to improve energy production, cognitive performance and cellular regeneration. Although the long-term effects of NR are not yet fully understood, there are numerous studies suggesting that it may represent a promising approach to healthy aging .
Recent research suggests that taking nicotinamide riboside can help counteract age-related diseases and improve cellular respiration, making it a promising agent in terms of health maintenance and prevention does.
Where does nicotinamide riboside occur?
Nicotinamide riboside is a molecule that can be found in low concentrations in some foods. These include dairy products and yeast. However, studies show that the NR concentrations in foods tend to be low.
Since 2013, it has been possible to chemically produce nicotinamide riboside, which has led to extensive research in studies and its use as a food supplement .
Although it may be difficult to obtain NR through diet alone, its use as a supplement is popular due to its potential health benefits.
Nicotinamide riboside occurs naturally in the following foods
- Milk from cows
- Various types of yeast
- Various types of beer
Although these foods contain small amounts of nicotinamide riboside, the most effective way to ensure adequate intake is to take dietary supplements. The amount of NR in milk is only 4.8 micromoles per liter, which is well below the therapeutic requirement.
What function does nicotinamide riboside have in the human body?
Nicotinamide riboside plays an important role in the human body. It is a precursor of the coenzyme NAD+, which is involved in numerous biochemical reactions essential for energy production, the cell cycle and DNA repair.
Research has shown that NR also has a antioxidant effect and can optimize cellular metabolism. It is believed that an adequate supply of NR could have positive effects on the cardiovascular system and may also slow down aging processes.
In the future, nicotinamide riboside preparations could be used as dietary supplements to promote certain body functions.
What are the benefits of supplementing with nicotinamide riboside?
Supplementing with Nicotinamide Riboside offers numerous benefits.
On the one hand, there is a connection between the decreasing NAD+ levels in age-related diseases. NR was able to increase this level again in scientific studies.
On the other hand, NR has a beneficial effect on the body's own synthesis of ATP, as many enzymes (including the Sirtuins) require NAD+ to function. Thus, supplementing with NR helps us from oxidative stress, inflammation or DNA damage to protect.
These enzymes play an important role in the repair of our genome and the physiological stress response. It is believed that a decrease in NAD+ impairs the function of the sirtuins and can promote age-related diseases.
Studies have shown that supplementation with NR increases the concentration of NAD+ in cells, the insulin sensitivity, the mitochondrial function , can improve or increase the function of stem cells and the activity of sirtuins. Nicotinamide riboside also has significantly fewer possible side effects compared to other NAD+ precursors .
These are the differences between nicotinamide riboside, vitamin B3 and NAD+
Nicotinamide riboside, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and vitamin B3 are all involved in the organism's energy metabolism.
NAD+ is a coenzyme important for the functionality of various enzymes involved in cellular energy production.
Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in converting food into energy. NR is a specific form of vitamin B3.
Nicotinamide riboside is a fairly new discovery and is used as a dietary supplement. There are some differences between these substances. NAD+ is a naturally occurring coenzyme in the body that is involved in several biological processes, while vitamin B3 (niacin) is an essential nutrient that cannot be produced by the body and via the nutrition must be consumed.
The main difference between NAD+ and NR is that NAD+ is naturally synthesized from other substances in the body, while NR does not occur naturally in the body and is only available through taking NR supplements.
Differences between nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide (NAM)
Nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide (NAM) are both variants of the B3 vitamin.
The central difference between Nicotinamide Riboside and NAM lies in their chemical composition and their metabolic processing in the body.
NR is a form of niacin that is converted into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in the body. NR is considered a precursor to NAD+ because it can be transformed into NAD+ through a sequence of enzymatic reactions.
Compared to NAM, NR is generally considered a more effective precursor for NAD+ because it is less dependent on other metabolic processes for NAD+ formation.
Nicotinamide riboside dosage – these are the recommendations
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) specifies a maximum daily intake recommendation for nicotinamide of 160 mg.
Providers of Nicotinamide Riboside products recommend a dosage of 300 mg daily up to 1.000mg. However, dosages starting from 30 mg are already given. Studies recommend higher dosages up to 2.000 mg daily, usually 1.000mg twice daily.
A clear statement on the nicotinamide riboside dosage cannot yet be made precisely. However, we recommend following the guidelines of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and consuming a maximum amount of 160 mg of nicotinamide riboside per day.
What are the benefits of supplementing with nicotinamide riboside?
Supplementing with Nicotinamide Riboside offers numerous benefits. On the one hand, there is a connection between the decreasing NAD+ level in age-related diseases. NR was able to increase this level again in scientific studies. On the other hand, NR has a beneficial effect on the body's own synthesis of ATP, as many enzymes require NAD+ to function.
Conclusion of nicotinamide riboside
NR is a promising Longevity molecule. Studies have shown that it increases the concentration of NAD+ in cells and therefore has positive effects on insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial function, stem cell activity and sirtuin function. What makes Nicotinamide Riboside particularly interesting is its status as “GRAS” (generally regarded as safe) – so it is generally regarded as safe. These promising results raise hopes for a longer and healthier lifespan.
