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. NR also 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 the energy supply of our body.
Here we will take a closer look at the studies on nicotinamide riboside (NR) and explain what role the molecule plays in aging research and in our bodies. Don't worry, even if there are a lot of scientific abbreviations in some places, we will break down the complex relationships as clearly as possible.
What is Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)?
Nicotinamide riboside is often used as a dietary supplement because it potentially increases energy production, cognitive performance and improve cellular regeneration. Although the long-term effects of NR are not yet fully understood, there are numerous studies that indicate that it has a promising approach to healthy aging could represent.
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.
NR, NAD, NAM, Niacin, … a brief profile of the molecules
You will certainly have noticed in the first few lines that in addition to the nicotinamide riboside (NR), several other molecules play a role. If you want to have a detailed insight into the science, then you can read our NAD Read the article. So that you don't lose track of things in the course of this article, we will briefly explain the most important players in NAD metabolism. This will help you to better understand the similarities and differences later:
- NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide): NAD is an essential coenzyme found in all living cells. It plays a central role in energy metabolism, particularly in cellular respiration, by transporting electrons between molecules. NAD exists in two forms: NAD+ (oxidized form) and NADH (reduced form). It is important for the production of ATP, the energy unit of the cell, and participates in various other biochemical processes such as DNA repair and gene expression
- NR (nicotinamide riboside): NR is a form of vitamin B3 (niacin) and a precursor to NAD. It can be taken orally (as a tablet or powder) and is converted to NAD in the body. NR is used as a dietary supplement to increase NAD levels.
- NAM (nicotinamide): NAM, also known as niacinamide, is another form of vitamin B3. It is a precursor to NAD and can be converted into NAD in the body. However, the metabolic pathway is different than that of NR.NAM also has medicinal uses in its own right and is often used in skin care products because it has anti-inflammatory properties and can strengthen the skin barrier
- Niacin: Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is an essential vitamin that is converted into NAD and NADP+ in the body. It is important for energy metabolism and the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol. Niacin is also used to treat dyslipidemia because it can help lower cholesterol levels
By the way: For NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) There are many different spellings: NAD, NADH, NAD+ to name just a few. To simplify things a little, we'll stick with NAD.
Where does nicotinamide riboside occur?
Nicotinamide riboside is a molecule that can be found in small concentrations in some foods, including dairy products and yeast. However, studies show that the NR concentrations in food tend to be low.
Since 2013, it has been possible to produce nicotinamide riboside chemically, which has led to extensive research in studies and its consumption as dietary supplements led to.
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
- Different types of yeast
- Various types of beer
Although these foods contain small amounts of nicotinamide riboside, the most effective method to ensure adequate intake is to take 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, which are essential for energy production, the cell cycle and DNA repair.
Research has shown that NR also has a antioxidant effect has and the optimize cell metabolism It is believed that an adequate supply of NR could have positive effects on the cardiovascular system and possibly also slow down aging processes.
What are the benefits of supplementing with nicotinamide riboside?
The addition of nicotinamide riboside offers numerous advantages.
On the one hand, there is a connection between the declining NAD+ levels in age-related diseases. In scientific studies, NR was able to increase this level again.
On the other hand NR has a beneficial effect on the body's own synthesis of ATP, since many enzymes (including sirtuins) NAD+ to function. Thus, supplementing with NR helps protect us from oxidative stress, inflammations or DNA damage to protect.
These enzymes play an important role in the repair of our genetic material and the physiological stress response.It is believed that a Decrease of NAD+ affects the function of sirtuins impaired and can promote age-associated diseases.
Studies have shown that NR supplementation increases the concentration of NAD+ in cells, insulin sensitivity, the mitochondrial function, the function of stem cells and can improve or increase the activity of sirtuins. Nicotinamide riboside also has NAD+ precursors significantly fewer possible side effects.
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 energy metabolism of the organism.
NAD+ is a coenzyme that is 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 is mainly obtained from food but also exists naturally in the body.
Differences between Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and Nicotinamide (NAM)
Nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide (NAM) are both variants of vitamin B3.
The key 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. For example, in some preclinical studies, administration of NAM resulted in painful flushing attacks.
Did you know?
Niacin was one of the first drugs used to treat high blood fat levels (hypercholesterolemia). Niacin was able to lower LDL levels, but had one major disadvantage. High doses could cause what is known as a “flush,” which caused people to turn red. This is another reason why niacin has never been able to establish itself as a drug for high blood fat levels.
NR vs.other NAD boosters
Admittedly, the difference between the various precursor molecules of NAD and their individual advantages and disadvantages is even more complicated than their similar naming.
But what makes nicotinamide riboside (NR) special? What sets it apart from other NAD precursors?
On the one hand, there is the long study periodNo other molecule has such extensive studies with humans. On the other hand, the bioavailability and proven NAD increase, not only in the blood, but also in the muscle, for NR. The reason why NR arrives in the muscle and the heart is probably due to physiology. EOne of the ways in which NR enters the (muscle) cells is via a transporter with the cryptic abbreviation Nmrk 2. This is particularly common in heart and skeletal muscle cells, but also in liver cells.
Did you know?
Studies on the transporter Nmrk2 are still quite rare, but it is possible that the transporter play a role in the future treatment of heart failure. This clinical picture includes a whole series of pathomechanisms that ultimately result in reduced cardiac performance. One possible reason could be that Nmrk2 is downregulated in the heart muscle cells, resulting in poorer NAD metabolism, which ultimately leads to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Nicotinamide Riboside Dosage – these are the recommendations
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recommends a maximum daily intake of 160 mg for nicotinamide. However, the dosage varies greatly depending on the study. Between 300 mg and 2000 mg daily are used in the studies. A clear statement on the nicotinamide riboside dosage cannot therefore be made at this time.
What are the benefits of supplementing with nicotinamide riboside?
Supplementation with nicotinamide riboside offers numerous benefits. Firstly, 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 ATPbecause many enzymes require NAD+ to function.
Did you know?
Nicotinamide riboside works by means of this study on the composition of the microbiome. Here, twins were treated with NR for 5 months and, in addition to improved NAD metabolism, there was also a Improvement in the composition of the intestinal floraTo be precise, NR increased the presence of Faecalibacterium prausnitziiThis bacterium is associated with better metabolic health and appears to have anti-inflammatory effects.
Nicotinamide Riboside and Parkinson's – First Results
Scientists have long suspected that the metabolism of nerve cells plays a role in some neuronal diseases. Falling NAD levels could have a negative impact on the mitochondria (the power plants of the cells) and thus affect the performance of our nerve cells. At least, that is the hypothesis. One of these neuronal diseases, in which nerve cells in the brain die, is Parkinson's.Here the dopaminergic neurons in the brain gradually die, which leads to the typical symptoms.
To test their hypothesis, the scientists at NADPARK study 30 patients were examined according to the highest scientific standards (i.e. double-blind, randomized).
Half of the participants received 1000mg nicotinamide riboside per day for 30 days. In the end, the scientists were able to prove that NR could increase the NAD levels in the brain. But not only that, the participants with Nicotinamide riboside even showed an improvement in their cognitive performance.
Although this was only a small study, it clearly shows that even high doses of NR are well tolerated and that measurable success is achieved. It will certainly not be the last study on nicotinamide riboside and Parkinson's disease.
Liposomal NR, Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride – what forms are there?
Liposomal NR is a form of nicotinamide riboside encapsulated in liposomes. Liposomes are tiny fatty bubbles that help transport active ingredients directly into cells and increase bioavailability. However, the research situation in this area is not yet very good. The higher bioavailability is more of a hypothesis than a proven fact. You can find out more about the different ways to increase bioavailability in our article on absorption pathways.
Nicotinamide riboside alone would not last long and would not be well absorbed by our intestines. For this reason it is often combined with chloride to obtain nicotinamide riboside chlorideThis form of NR is much more stable and can therefore increase bioavailability. Nicotinamide riboside chloride is also the ingredient of NIAGEN®Almost all relevant studies were carried out using this patented formulation. With the help of this formulation, NIAGEN® can be incorporated into capsules or tablets without losing its effectiveness.
Did you know?
NIAGEN® is the only form of nicotinamide riboside that has been studied several times by the FDA, the American Food and Drug Administration, and has GRAS (generally regarded as safe).
In addition, NIAGEN® has been successfully tested in humans in more than 12 clinical trials and at least 45 more studies are underway.
High homocysteine levels due to NAD precursors?
Supplementation with NR can increase NAD levels. At the same time, researchers found in some studies that homocysteine levels also increased.
Homocysteine is an amino acid whose increased occurrence is considered a proven risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. So how does this fit together? On the one hand, NR seems to have positive effects on the heart, as in this study where Nicotinamide riboside increased NAD levels within the heart and thus indirectly contributed to improved mitochondrial function in the heart. On the other hand, NR seems to increase homocysteine, a risk factor for the development of arteriosclerosis. The explanation lies in the metabolism of the molecule.
Methyl groups as a decisive factor
To better understand the homocysteine issue, we need to take a closer look at NAD metabolism.To put it simply, there are different ways in NAD metabolism by which we can regenerate NAD from precursor molecules such as NR or NAM. These transformations require so-called methyl groupsThese are compounds of carbon and hydrogen atoms that are easily transferable. If we now add more precursors to our body, in our case nicotinamide riboside, then an increased conversion of these precursors into NAD takes place. Our desired effect, higher NAD levels, is thus achieved.
However, the body also needs some methyl groups for this. And this is where homocysteine comes into play. On the one hand, homocysteine is an intermediate product in this metabolism and on the other hand Our body needs methyl groups to convert homocysteine into a harmless form. This is how the researchers explain the result.
To summarize as simply as possible: The hypothesis is: The conversion of NR to NAD requires methyl groups. The consumption of methyl groups leads to higher homocysteine levels.
Did you know?
Methyl groups are involved in numerous processes in our body. This is also the case in the regulation of our DNA. With the help of methyl groups, our body can control which part of the DNA is read and which is not. Similar to volume controls, certain areas become louder (active) or quieter (inactive). The research field for this is called epigenetics.
Betaine-TMG – a safe supplement
We have already seen that taking NAD precursors can potentially lead to higher homocysteine levels. It should be said that this is not necessarily the case. Studies have not always shown this and there seems to be a personal predisposition to it.
A possible solution to this problem is to provide the body with more methyl groups. So we need a methyl group donor and this is exactly what the betaine molecule can do. There are different forms. betaine-TMG is the decisive factor here, because it can act as a methyl group donor and lower homocysteine levels, while betaine HCL supports the production of stomach acid. Similar name, but completely different application.
Conclusion on Nicotinamide Riboside
NR is a promising Longevity-MoleculeStudies have shown that it increases the concentration of NAD+ in cells and thus 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 considered safe. These promising results raise hopes for a longer and healthier life.
