NAC vs NAD vs NR 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
NAD is derived from Nicotinamide Riboside (NR). 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 ahigh-profile paperby 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 madeheadlinesby 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.
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, unsungresearchersin 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 improvingbrain function, warding off various kinds ofcancerand preventingheart 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 hadshown in 2012that 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/
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-calledanti-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.
As an electron carrier, NAD+ and NADH help to convert the nutrients in your food into a form of energy your cells can use.
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
Cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid. It’s considered semi-essential because your body can produce it from other amino acids, namely methionine and serine. It becomes essential only when the dietary intake of methionine and serine is low.
Cysteine is found in most high-protein foods, such as chicken, turkey, yogurt, cheese, eggs, sunflower seeds and legumes.
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of cysteine. NAC is valued primarily for its role in antioxidant production.
Glutathione vs NAC? Along with two other amino acids — glutamine and glycine — NAC is needed to make and replenish glutathione. Therefore, N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC) is a precursor of glutathione, helps to replenish intracellular glutathione, a vital cellular antioxidant. NAC has a low molecular weight and is well absorbed via oral administration.
Glutathione is one of the body’s most importantantioxidants, which helps neutralize free radicals that can damage cells and tissues in your body.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has a long history of use as a first-aid remedy for acetaminophen poisoning. Emergency room physicians will administer it in cases when you've taken an overdose of Tylenol or other acetaminophen products. The way it neutralizes the toxic effects of the drug is by recharging glutathione, thereby preventing liver damage.
GlyNAC vs NAC? GlyNAC is a patented combination of amino acids, Glycine and N-AcetylCysteine. GlyNAC consists of two antioxidant precursors glycine and N-acetylcysteine. Cells use these precursorsto synthesize glutathione, which is the most abundant antioxidant made by our own cells. Sekhar and colleagues from the Baylor College of Medicine published a pilot clinical trial in Clinical and Translational Medicine where they found that supplementing aged adults with GlyNAC improved physical function and cognition.
Related: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) Benefits and Uses: A 2023 Review
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.
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 NADPHoxidase activation in diabetes and reduces tissue oxidative damage in all organs.
Nicotinamide Riboside vs Nicotinamide MonoNucleotide
While most anti-aging products try to reverse signs of aging on your skin, nicotinamide riboside — also called niagen — aims to reverse signs of aging from inside your body.
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.
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 inNature 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, or niagen, is an alternative form of vitamin B3, also called niacin.
Like other forms of vitamin B3, nicotinamide riboside is converted by your body into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme or helper molecule.
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 (Trusted Source).
NR used to be considered superior because noNMN transporter— required to get it into cells — had been detected. We now know there is such a transporter, which gives NMN the advantage as it’s also a more direct NAD+ precursor.
Most of the NAD+ precursor research is done with NR. However, as you can see from the image above, NMN converts to NAD+ whereas NR must first be converted into NMN before it can beconverted into NAD+, so it makes more sense to use NMN for NAD+ augmentation.
Niacin is also a useful supplement to use in increasing NAD+ levels. You just need to limit the dose to about 25 mg, which most is a dose low enough not to cause any flushing. Higher doses are not likely as effective as NMN and exercise in producing NAD+.
A meta-analysis (Zhong 2022) was performed to investigate the effects of nicotinamide adeninedinucleotide (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.
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 thispodcast:
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 mousestudies. 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:
Naturally Boosting NAD Levels
But there is good news. 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 sirtuins; 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. The dangers of chronic undereating include muscle loss, bone density issues and fatigue.
A safer strategy is temporarily restricting calories with intermittent fasting (IF). There’s still a danger of under-eating, but IF is more about limiting when to eat vs. how much you eat.
There is also some speculation that adopting a low carb-ketogenic diet may also provide similar positive results.
2. Nicotinamide Riboside Dietary Supplements - Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) 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.
A 2019 paper in Physiological Reports found that aerobic and strength exercise increased NAMPT levels in adults over 55 by 28 and 30 percent respectively.
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. Support methylation
Methylation means adding methyl groups to DNA, proteins, or other molecules. This process influences many biochemical systems and functions in the body.
One of these systems is NAD+ production. Healthy methylation helps you recycle NAD+ (i.e., keep levels higher) through the aptly-named “salvage pathway.”(Nature 2020)
A fundamental way to support methylation is to ensure you get enough methyl factors like B12, riboflavin, and TMG.
6. 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 Riboside Nicotinamide (RN). A litre of fresh cow’s milk contains about 3.9µmol of NAD+. So while you’re enjoying a refreshing glass of milk, you’re actually getting younger and healthier!
- Fish – here’s another reason for you to enjoy 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 Riboside Nicotinamide (RN), 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. How cool is that!
- 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 RN, 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.
TRU Niagen NAD+ Booster Supplement (NMN Alternative)
TRU Niagen NAD+ Supplement comes in 3 sizes:
- 30 count / Serving Size: 1 Capsule once a day - Servings Per Container: 30
- 90 count / Serving Size: 1 Capsule once a day- Servings Per Container: 90
- 120 count / Serving Size: 1 Capsule once a day- Servings Per Container: 120
Tru Niagen Reviews: Over 14,000 global ratings, most of them 5 stars on Amazon.com.
Amazon Best Sellers: #1 inVitamin B3 (Niacin) Supplements.
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