People interested in longevity research quickly stumble into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a cofactor central to metabolism. Apparently our cells rely on this resource molecule for the generation of energy known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This energy in turn helps cells perform their unique functions and survive. NAD also seems to play a key role in helping activate important signaling molecules for cellular defense.

Declining NAD levels has been associated with hallmarks of aging and could partly be causing a wide-range of age-related diseases, such as metabolic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. David Sinclair, the Harvard Professor whose work I wrote about in a previous blog post, believes that NAD could even mimic the effects of calorie restricting, effectively telling the body that now it’s time to conserve resources, repair things better, fight free radicals, and repair broken DNA – without the starvation associated with calorie restriction.

What seems to be clear is that as we get older NAD levels steadily decline. This is probably due to two reasons. First, we start producing less NAD as we get older. Second, we use more of the NAD we have as our aging bodies experience more damage and stress.

All of this gives rise to an obvious question: If NAD is so important for us, in particular as we get older, why don’t we just boost our NAD levels?

Two forms of vitamin B3 seem to be particularly effective at increasing NAD levels. These are nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Unsurprisingly, with just a little bit of googling you will find many websites (often with commercial interests) focused on NAD, citing various research papers, and of course selling you NR as a booster of NAD. The other form of vitamin B3, NMN, sometimes called the “posh version of NR”, seems to be harder to find online.

You will also find cautious articles online, such as the one in Washington Post concluding that “taking NAD-boosting supplements is a leap of faith, not a scientifically proven way to reduce disease risk or increase longevity. They’re unlikely to hurt you […] but there’s no proof they will help you. Only time, and further research, will show whether they’re a boon or a bust.”

Since I’m no expert on cell biology, I’m going to have to study more before making any decisions on whether or not to increase my intake of vitamin B3. And if I choose to go for it, what would then be the best form, NR or NMN? And what’s wrong with niacin and nicotinamide, which also are forms of vitamin B3?

The good thing is that since there are so many NAD focused research projects ongoing around the world, we’re probably going to learn a lot more during the next few years. I would wager that if it turns out that we indeed can benefit from boosting our NAD levels, we should probably do it by eating more fruits and vegetables instead of turning to a pill.