NAD+, NR, and NMN: Understanding the Pillars of Cellular Longevity
If you're interested in longevity and wellness, you've likely heard of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide). NAD+ is a vital coenzyme found in every cell of your body and is essential for hundreds of metabolic processes, including energy production and DNA repair. As we age, NAD+ levels decline, which contributes to age-related functional decline. For this reason, modern science has focused its attention on finding ways to replenish these levels.
This is where its precursors come in: Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN). Both are compounds that have been extensively studied for their ability to increase NAD+ concentration in the body's tissues.
So, if both are effective, what's the difference and why at SOJO DNA did we choose NMN?
NAD+, NR, NMN: The Metabolic Journey
To understand the difference, we must look at how they relate to each other in the NAD+ synthesis pathway:
NR (Nicotinamide Riboside): The body can synthesize NMN from NR through a specific enzyme (NRK).
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide): NMN, in turn, is directly converted into NAD+ by an enzyme called NMNAT.
At first glance, it might seem that both are equally viable. However, studies have shown that NMN and NR have distinct behaviors and metabolic fates, depending on the tissue and the enzymes available in each cell.
Why We Choose NMN: Stability and Efficacy
Our choice of NMN at SOJO DNA is based on scientific evidence that highlights its stability and its direct role in the NAD+ synthesis pathway.
Superior Stability: Research indicates that NR, unlike NMN, can be unstable and quickly degrade into nicotinamide in murine plasma or cell culture medium containing fetal-bovine-serum. This suggests that a fraction of the administered dose of NR might not reach cells in its original form, reducing its effectiveness. NMN, on the other hand, has been shown to be more stable, allowing it to be used more efficiently for NAD+ biosynthesis in various peripheral tissues.
Direct Synthesis Pathway: NMN is one step closer to the final NAD+ coenzyme. Although NR must first be converted to NMN before becoming NAD+ , evidence shows that NMN can be efficiently absorbed and used for NAD+ biosynthesis in a process that appears to be more direct and effective.
The research article we used as a reference even suggests that NMN could function as a systemic signaling molecule that maintains the body's "biological robustness". This systemic regulatory role, combined with its stability and demonstrated efficacy in preclinical studies, makes it the ideal precursor for our mission.
At SOJO DNA, our priority is science. We chose NMN because the evidence supports its superiority in raising NAD+ levels and, in doing so, supporting wellness and longevity at a cellular and genetic level.
Reference: Yoshino, J., Baur, J. A., & Imai, S. (2017). NAD+ Intermediates: The Biology and Therapeutic Potential of NMN and NR. Cell Metabolism, 27(1), 1-22.
