Increasing NAD/NADH ratio has long been a topic of discussion here. Some people not taking NAD lozenges have notably improved their cognition. Many people who take NADH report to having no effects. NAD and NADH are created by the body using smaller molecules such as niacin. Studies show that NR (nicotinamide riboside) is great for elevating NAD levels.
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/15137942
Life Extension Vitamins also did an article here: http://www.lifeexten.../05gotniri.htmlNAD+ is essential for life in all organisms, both as a coenzyme for oxidoreductases and as a source of ADPribosyl groups used in various reactions, including those that retard aging in experimental systems. Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide were defined as the vitamin precursors of NAD+ in Elvehjem's classic discoveries of the 1930s. The accepted view of eukaryotic NAD+ biosynthesis, that all anabolism flows through nicotinic acid mononucleotide, was challenged experimentally and revealed that nicotinamide riboside is an unanticipated NAD+ precursor in yeast. Nicotinamide riboside kinases from yeast and humans essential for this pathway were identified and found to be highly specific for phosphorylation of nicotinamide riboside and the cancer drug tiazofurin. Nicotinamide riboside was discovered as a nutrient in milk, suggesting that nicotinamide riboside is a useful compound for elevation of NAD+ levels in humans.
This compound is found in milk! Cow's milk or people milk... not sure.
The reason NR works so great is that it is a more complete precursor. A quick glance at the molecular structure of each will reveal that niacin is a very small piece of the puzzle in comparison. Adding one quinone (from tryptophan) and two orthophosphates (from ATP) produces NAD. Therefore, tryptophan should be taken in conjunction with NR.
Are there any other sources of NAD or NR? Are there more ways of increasing the NAD/NADH ratio? Has anyone received a bulk powder shipment of NAD or NR?
Edited by devinthayer, 22 June 2011 - 08:10 PM.