What’s all the buzz about Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)?

Maybe you’re interested in ways to promote healthy aging. Or maybe you’re looking at supplements that can optimize your exercise efficiency. Whatever the reason, you’ve likely heard about nicotinamide riboside, a hot ingredient when it comes to healthy aging and cellular health.*

What is nicotinamide riboside and what does nicotinamide riboside do? 

Nicotinamide riboside, or NR, for short, is a unique form of vitamin B3 that supports several important processes in the body, including cellular aging, cellular energy production, brain function, and even liver health.* Let’s break these down a bit.

Top nicotinamide riboside benefits 

1. Support for cellular energy production*

Nicotinamide riboside is a direct precursor for NAD+, a molecule that plays a central role in the production of cellular energy, or ATP, in the mitochondria of the cell. While the body can make NAD+, the high demands of cellular metabolism and DNA repair make supporting this system of particular importance. As we age, the body also has a natural decrease of NAD+ production, and other environmental and cellular insults adversely affect the ability to produce it. 

NAD+ is also necessary to activate a particular group of healthy aging proteins known as sirtuins. Sirtuin proteins help our cells be more metabolically efficient. However, the sirtuin proteins only function in the presence of NAD+. Because of the widespread role of NAD+ in these biological processes, supplementing with NR can be especially beneficial to keep these systems running smoothly.*

2. Support for brain function*

Increasing NAD+ and the sirtuin proteins in brain cells and nerves stimulates enzymes that support cognitive function and neuroplasticity – the ability of our brain cells to learn and adapt to their environment. This also increases the activity of an enzyme called PCG-1-alpha, which stimulates our cells to create more mitochondria in the cells, further supporting cellular energy production. In the average adult, the brain uses about 20% of the body’s total energy, so optimal NAD+ levels for cellular energy production are especially important for proper brain function and healthy neurological tissues.

3.  Support for healthy metabolic function*

When NAD+ and the sirtuins are up-regulated, our cells are more metabolically active and more efficient at converting food to fuel. Foods must be digested down to their smallest metabolic components – sugars, fats, and amino acids. The mitochondria in our cells use these components to make cellular energy that fuels the many biochemical processes that occur within the cell. NAD+ and sirtuin proteins improve the efficiency of this conversion process, helping us more effectively use insulin and cholesterol and maintain a normal inflammatory response throughout the body.*

4. Support for normal liver function*

Some of the most metabolically active cells in the body are liver cells. Liver cells constantly metabolize the substances we make in our bodies – like hormones and neurotransmitters – as well as detoxify unwanted substances from within (endotoxins) and from without (exotoxins, from food and the environment). When we support NAD+ production and mitochondrial function, we support the cells of the liver and reduce the potential for fat to deposit in the liver. We also promote a normal inflammatory response.*

5. Support for exercise efficiency*

NAD+ is a key component in the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain, the cellular energy production processes that occur in the mitochondria, or the powerhouses of the cells. Adequate amounts of NAD+ improve mitochondrial energetics in the heart and muscles, and boost the production of energy-creating ATP, which provides support for endurance athletes and fatigued individuals.*

6. Support for healthy aging*

Supporting NAD+ production and the sirtuin proteins has been shown in animal studies to slow the processes associated with aging. Although nothing truly works as an “anti-aging” supplement, helping the sirtuins, NAD+, and the mitochondria supports healthy aging at the cellular level.* 

No single nutritional supplement is a magic bullet. However, NR does promote optimal metabolic function and cellular energy production, mitochondrial activity, and a normal inflammatory response. Enhancing these cellular functions helps us age well, exercise better, maintain normal metabolism and detoxification, and stay clear headed.*

The Thorne difference: an exclusive form of nicotinamide riboside

Thorne’s nicotinamide riboside supplement suite contains an exclusive and unique form of nicotinamide riboside supplementation: nicotinamide riboside hydrogen malate. In this form, nicotinamide riboside is bound to hydrogen malate salt, which is also an important Kreb’s cycle organic acid, to further support NR’s cellular energy production capacity.* 

In addition to this exclusive form of NR, all of Thorne’s products that contain NR also include at least one methyl donor, such as betaine, which helps to support optimal methylation of NAD+.*

Learn more about Thorne’s suite of nicotinamide riboside supplements here.