By Juan Sosa
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide riboside (NR) have something in common: they are biosynthetic precursors of a molecule essential for metabolism: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).
There are several studies that indicate that NAD+ levels decrease significantly during aging. At the same time, they demonstrate that restoring NAD+ levels in aged animals extends lifespan and promotes health.
All research on both molecules indicates that supplementation with either increases NAD+ levels during aging. Up to this point it seems that it is the same to take one or the other, right?
In this article we will tell you what the differences are between NMN and NR.
The differences between NMN and NR are related to their molecular structures, in conjunction with the way in which cells biosynthesize these molecules into NAD+. However, there are also similarities. Let’s start with them:
Both NR and NMN are beneficial to the human body. Both allow you to raise NAD+ levels, which decrease with aging. This compound is vital for cellular metabolism that allows you to convert nutrients into cellular energy, as well as maintain DNA health, activate sirtuins and hundreds of other metabolic processes.
The molecular structures of NMN and NR are very similar to each other. Except NMN has a phosphate group added. Big difference.
This added phosphate group makes NMN a larger molecule than NR. Some scientists believe that NMN is too large to cross cell membranes and must be converted to NR before entering cells. This is where NAD+ biosynthesis occurs.
Once inside the cells, NR is converted to NMN. This happens thanks to enzymes called “NRK”. Once NMN has been synthesized, the molecules enter something known as the “nicotinamide core recycling pathway.”
Here, the enzyme NMNAT converts NMN to NAD+. Proteins known as “sirtuins” make use of NAD+ to maintain cellular health, which convert NAD+ into nicotinamide (NAM). Thus, NAM is converted into NMN thanks to the enzyme NAMPT.
When you decide to start consuming a supplement, one of the main concerns is the safety of consuming the product. According to the studies carried out so far, there is no safety problem, neither with the NMN nor the NR.
A study was conducted in men in Japan, which found no safety concerns after a single oral administration of NMN, at a dose of 500 mg. No negative changes were found in heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, or body temperature.
This tells us that it is a safe product, as long as the dose is adequate and not exceeded. In addition, it is recommended to have the advice of a health expert.
The safety of NR has also been demonstrated in studies. According to one of these studies, the administration of NR, both in overweight men and women, but in good health, does not have any safety problems. That is to say: it can be administered without any problem. The scientists administered a dose of up to 1,000 mg to the men and women involved in this study and extended the administration of NR for eight weeks.
Bioavailability is used as an indicator of effectiveness, which includes measuring how any of these supplements increases the blood levels of these molecules or those of NAD+, always after administration.
Black Forest NMN is enhanced with BioPerine for 3X absorbtion, which makes it the most bioavailable NAD+ in the market.
In conclusion, you can consume your NMN or NR without any risk, but you should consult with a professional to know which of the two is best for you, based on your medical history.
