Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) are two promising supplements often hailed for their potential anti-aging effects due to their role as precursors to Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), a crucial molecule for numerous metabolic processes within the body. Despite their similar goals in boosting NAD+ levels, they exhibit differences in their mechanism and effectiveness, as examined across various sources:
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Mechanism:
- Both NR and NMN serve as precursors to NAD+, with NMN being one step ahead in the biosynthesis pathway. NR needs to be converted into NMN first, which then is used to generate NAD+
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Effectiveness:
- Although direct comparative studies between NMN and NR regarding health and lifespan effects are lacking, some researchers and aging specialists believe NMN to be superior due to its position in the NAD+ biosynthesis pathway and purported stronger effects observed in certain studies
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Research and Regulations:
- NMN and NR have been studied for their potential to reverse or mitigate aging effects, such as improving metabolism, reducing fatigue, and enhancing blood vessel health among others
- However, as of November 2022, NMN was excluded from the definition of a dietary supplement by the United States Food and Drug Administration, hence no longer allowed to be sold in supplement products
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Popularity:
- Both supplements have been identified as hopeful candidates for slowing down aging due to their role in boosting NAD+ levels, a crucial component for several cellular processes including DNA repair and metabolic regulation
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Implications on Aging:
- By boosting NAD+ levels, NR and NMN aim to counteract the decline in metabolism, fatigue, reduced blood vessel health, age-related muscle loss, cognitive decline, and other aging-related ailments
The comparison between NR and NMN reflects a broader quest in understanding and leveraging NAD+ boosting supplements for combating aging-related challenges. While both compounds exhibit promise, the perceived edge of NMN over NR, along with regulatory stances, may influence their adoption and ongoing research in the anti-aging domain.
