NMN is familiar to us, what about NR?
Both NMN and NR are currently popular anti-aging supplements that increase the amount of NAD+ in the body, which is a key coenzyme that helps cells with metabolism and repair. While both supplements can boost NAD+ levels, there are some differences between them. So which is better, NMN or NR, as both are precursors to NAD+?
NR was initially isolated from milk, brewer’s yeast and rice, and subsequently also prepared by chemical synthesis.
milk
Difference between NMN and NR
NMN and NR differ mainly in the following aspects:
01 Origin and nature: NMN (β-nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a naturally occurring, biologically active nucleotide that is widely found in a variety of organisms, including some fruits and vegetables. Whereas NR (nicotinamide ribose) was originally isolated from milk, brewer’s yeast and rice, and later also prepared by chemical synthesis, is a synthetic molecule.
02 Route of absorption: NR is mainly absorbed orally, whereas NMN can be absorbed not only orally but also intravenously.
03 Stability: NMN is more stable than NR in terms of chemical and physical properties. NMN powder at room temperature is stable and can be transported and stored for long periods of time.
04 Conversion pathway and efficiency: NMN is a direct precursor of NAD+, which can be directly converted to NAD+ by NMNAT enzyme, thus increasing NAD+ levels and improving health. Whereas NR is an indirect precursor of NAD+, its conversion to NAD+ needs to follow two pathways, which include phosphorylation to NMN followed by conversion to NAD+, or a five-step pathway to NAD+ synthesis. Therefore, NMN may be superior to NR in terms of conversion efficiency and elevated NAD+ levels.
05 Safety: NMN, as a naturally occurring molecule, is relatively safe for human absorption and utilization. NR, as a synthetic molecule, may be a burden to the body when used in large quantities over a long period of time.
06 Applicable people: NMN is suitable for the general population, especially those who wish to improve their immunity, antioxidant ability and cognitive function. NR, on the other hand, is more suitable for those who wish to rapidly increase their NAD+ levels, such as athletes and the elderly.
NR benefits and uses
what are the benefits and uses of NR？
- Increases NAD+ levels: NR is a derivative of vitamin B3, which is a precursor substance of NAD+. It can be converted into NAD+ in the body, which is a key factor in many cellular metabolic reactions. Increasing NAD+ levels helps to protect cells from oxidative stress damage, slow aging, and prevent mitochondrial decline, which has been linked to many age-related diseases.
- Improves mitochondrial function: NR activates Sirtuin signaling and improves mitochondrial function, thereby helping to prevent age-related diseases. In addition, in vitro studies have shown that NR also increases NAD+ levels in stem cells from Parkinson’s disease patients, further improving mitochondrial function.
- Reduces Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Animal studies have shown that increased NAD+ levels help to reverse age-related changes in the arteries. Human studies have also shown that NR helps to reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing aortic stiffness and lowering systolic blood pressure in high-risk adults. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world, and aging is a key factor in it, making this effect of NR significant.
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USES：
In addition to the medical field, NR has a wide range of applications in agriculture and the environment. In agriculture, the NR database can help farmers select new varieties and improve yields. In the environmental field, the NR database can be used for biodiversity analysis and research.
Whether it is NMN or NR, the effect is similar, both can slow down the aging, the specific method of supplementation can be according to their own situation~
