What Is NAD+? How It Works, and the Role of NR and NMN for ATP

The wellness world has been abuzz the past couple years with talk about NAD+, but what it is still remains a mystery to many health enthusiasts who are trying to understand what types of dietary supplements they could be taking to benefit their longterm health. Add NR and NMN into the mix, and some supplement brands commingling the terms by slapping the word "support" on the label, and it can get even more confusing for some. In this article we will attempt to explore NAD+ in depth, explain its potential health benefits, and compare it with NR and NMN to help you better understand more about what they all do.

What is NAD+?

NAD+ stands for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (and despite sounding somewhat similar to another foul substance, it has nothing to do with Nicotine, like some people may be thinking). In short, it's a coenzyme found in every cell of your body, and it plays a critical role in energy metabolism and cellular repair. NAD+ acts like a biological battery in a sense, helping to convert the food that you eat into energy your cells need to maintain proper function. Without NAD+, your body wouldn't be able to perform even the most basic functions, such as:

• Converting Nutrients into ATP (Your cells primary energy source)
• Repairing Damaged DNA
• Regulating Circadian Rhythms (Your body's internal clock)
• Supporting Healthy Brain Function
• Protecting Cells from Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Like so many other vital substances, such as collagen, hormones, etc, as we age the levels of NAD+ that our body naturally produces start to decline. This drop in NAD+ levels has been linked as one of the primary factors that contributes to the aging process, as well as some age-related diseases. This could be one good reason why so many people are seeking out quality NAD+ supplements, in hopes of improving their wellness today, while hedging against future potential declines in the long run.

Why is NAD+ Important for your Health?

Low NAD+ levels in the body are linked to a litany of health concerns, such as: fatigue, cognitive decline, poor mitochondrial function, increased risk of metabolic disorders, slower recovery from stress, chronic inflammation, and accelerated signs of aging.

By maintaining proper levels of NAD+, you can potentially help enhance your energy levels, improve the cellular repair function, support brain health, protect against oxidative damage and inflammation, and promote a healthier aging process.

What are NR and NMN, and How Do They Relate to NAD+?

NR and NMN are precursors to NAD+, which means they are both molecules that can be converted into NAD+ inside the body through natural processes.

NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) is a form of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), which the body uses to to produce more NAD+. You'll typically see it labeled as "NAD+ Support" or "NAD+ Booster" from many supplement companies, because it seems the general public is more widely aware of NAD+ than it's cousins. Clinical studies have shown that supplementing with NR can increase the levels of NAD+ within the body.

NMN is another Vitamin B3 derivative, similar to NR that is another precursor to producing more NAD+. NMN is one step closer to NAD+ in the biological pathway, meaning that it may more readily convert into NAD+ than NR. Think of the conversion process of being sort of like a chain where it starts with NR, converts into NMN, and then finally into NAD+. Recent research suggests that NMN is likely to cross through the membranes of your body's cells, if true, it could be promising for the future of supplements containing this form.

How to Support NAD+ Naturally

In addition to taking high-quality dietary supplements, you can help support your body's NAD+ levels by adopting some potentially healthy lifestyle choices, such as:

• Exercising Regularly
• Intermittent Fasting
• Consuming Foods Rich in Niacin and/or Tryptophan
• Getting Good Sleep
• Reducing Alcohol Consumption
• Limiting Processed Foods
  

Overall those probably sound like generic advice for a healthier lifestyle, but there is truth to those recommendations. Perhaps through observation, without knowing how these habits contribute to NAD+ levels, people were just noticing a better quality of life and more longevity without really knowing "why" it was happening in the first place.

Should You Consider a NAD+ Supplement for Your Daily Routine?

If you're looking to support better energy levels, cellular repair, brain health, and perhaps promote longevity, supplementing with NAD+ and/or its precursors may be worth exploring. When paired with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and proper amounts of sleep many have experienced substantial improvements in their perceived health. Look into NAD+ Capsules from World's Best Supplements for a top-quality source of third-party tested NAD+.