Use of the Dietary Supplements NR and NMN to Increase Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Impact Mitochondrial Function, and Improve Metabolic Health

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an important coenzyme essential for metabolism, energy production, gene regulation, and cellular communication. With aging, NAD+ levels decrease, which may be partly responsible for age-related disease and impaired function. While certain lifestyle practices may help to maintain NAD+, such as intermittent fasting, exercise, and reduced alcohol consumption, these activities do not appear to support optimal NAD+ levels. For this reason, numerous dietary supplements have emerged, with the claim of increasing NAD+ levels and resulting in improved health and, possibly, increased longevity. Such agents include NAD+, as well as the NAD+ precursors niacin, nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). This article discusses the scientific rationale and evidence for using such supplements, with a particular emphasis on human oral ingestion and associated health outcomes. The current literature has been reviewed, and practical applications are presented.