We had the pleasure of speaking with Registered Dietitian Mona Rosene to learn more about NAD+, its connection to Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), and why they are popular for healthy aging. Mona is the Global Director of Scientific Affairs at Chromadex, maker of the gold standard NIAGEN® ingredient (patented NR), a studied and high-quality NAD+ boosting ingredient, which is featured in Solgar® Cellular Nutrition’s Cellular Energy product.
Solgar: Thank you for talking with us today, Mona! We’re seeing conversations about NAD+ pop up all over social media. Can you tell us more about this molecule and how it’s related to NR?
M. Rosene: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+, is a coenzyme found in every living cell and is involved in more than 500 biochemical processes. If the cell doesn’t have NAD+, it will die. There are three primary functions of NAD+ – cellular vitality, cellular repair, and creating cellular energy (ATP). The plus symbol next to the D means that this molecule has a positive charge, so it can accept a hydrogen atom and its electrons – that’s about the extent of my biochemistry knowledge!
Cells die every second of every day and our body is always trying to clean out damaged cells, so it’s beneficial to maintain NAD+ levels throughout this process, which is known as autophagy. When you have more cells dying than cells thriving, you see the cellular signs of aging.
Increasing NAD+ with one of its precursors helps mitigate NAD+ decline so cells can function optimally. Precursors consist of the different forms of vitamin B3, one unique form is Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), which can cross the cell membrane and quickly convert to NAD+.
Solgar: When was NR discovered and is it commonly found in our food supply?
M. Rosene: NR was discovered as an NAD precursor vitamin for humans in 2004 by Dr. Charles Brenner, ChromaDex’s Chief Scientific Advisor.
NR is naturally found in raw milk and yeast albeit in very trace amounts. If you want to get enough NR to achieve the levels found in dietary supplements like Solgar Cellular Nutrition’s Cellular Energy (300 milligrams), you’d need to consume around 88 gallons of conventional milk…per day!
Solgar: Are there any misperceptions about NR or NAD+ that you feel are important to debunk?
M. Rosene: There are several misperceptions about NAD+, and one of the most prevalent is related to its common precursors, NR, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), and sometimes NAD+ supplements or infusions are used to increase NAD+. However, NR is an effective NAD+ precursor because it can directly cross the cell membrane and quickly convert to NAD+.
What many people don’t know is that NAD+ and NMN molecules have a phosphate attached that must be removed before entering the cell, and then converted into NAD+. When the phosphate is removed outside of the cell, NAD+ and NMN convert to NR. In short, the body must take extra steps to metabolize NAD+ or NMN supplements whereas NR directly crosses into the cell. Further, it is important to note that FDA prohibited the use of NMN in dietary supplements in the US last year.
Solgar: Is NR well-studied?
M. Rosene: Yes, there are multiple published clinical studies on NIAGEN® NR ranging from cellular lab data to human data measuring increases in NAD+ and even more studies, preclinical and clinical, on NR.
Solgar: Who can benefit the most from NR supplements?
M. Rosene: Research has shown that NAD+ levels decline by up to 65 percent between the ages of 30 and 70 years. Exposure to metabolic stressors like alcohol, sunburn, over training, and/or living a sedentary lifestyle as we age can cause a decline in NAD+.
Solgar: If you could leave our readers learning only one thing about NR, what would it be?
M. Rosene: NR is one of your cell’s favorite nutrients and patented Niagen® is a high quality NAD+ precursor. Every lot of Niagen is tested for potency, safety, and purity, and certificates of analysis are available. All batches are tested to ensure compliance to specifications and label claims, such as potency through the end of shelf life.
Thank you, Mona, for sharing your insights on NR and NAD+. To learn more about Solgar Cellular Nutrition Cellular Energy with NAD+, please visit solgar.com/cellular-nutrition.
Bio:
Mona currently serves as the Global Director of Scientific Affairs at ChromaDex Corp where she leads a team that translates the science into messages to build awareness about cellular health and the importance of NAD and NR. She and her team collaborate with strategic external partnerships to build awareness of NR and NAD’s role in health.
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