Over the past decade, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) – an important coenzyme that supports multiple biological processes – has been the subject of mounds of research, revealing extensive evidence of its role as an anti-aging agent and its support of mitochondrial health. Your body makes its own NAD+ from dietary nutrients, but modern diets are often deficient in NAD+ precursors. To boost NAD+ production, many health-conscious Americans are supplementing with NAD+ precursors, or with NAD+ itself.
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) is a popular NAD+ precursor that supports its production in the body. Learn the difference between NMN and NAD+ supplementation, and how they stack up in terms of overall effectiveness.
What Exactly is NAD+?
NAD+ is an important coenzyme that supports a broad range of biological processes. It is present in every cell in the body in both animals and humans, and without it we would not exist. NAD+ levels in humans typically peak in early adulthood, between the ages of 20–30, after which they gradually decline due to various physiological factors.
Biological processes supported by NAD+ include:
- Energy metabolism
- DNA repair
- Genomic stability
- Epigenetic regulation
- Immune function
- Autophagy
- Stress responses
- Circadian rhythms
- Calcium homeostasis
Research on the biological functions of NAD+ is ongoing as scientists strive to understand its role in human health, and many more benefits of NAD+ could potentially come to light. What we do know is that dietary deficiencies can cause a severe depletion of NAD+ that accelerates aging and undermines metabolic health.
NMN – An Important NAD+ Precursor
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) is the main building block that converts to NAD+ inside your cells. While a nutrient-dense, whole foods diet may provide enough NMN to meet your metabolic needs for NAD+, many people do not eat enough NMN-rich foods to meet cellular demands.
NMN impacts multiple health markers:
- Creates energy in the mitochondria – cellular powerhouses that produce ATP, the energy molecule.
- Helps repair damaged DNA
- Protects cells from oxidative stress
- Helps control circadian rhythms, for better sleep
- Activates proteins that support longevity
Foods that contain significant amounts of NMN include:
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Tree nuts
- Grass-fed beef
- Wild-caught shrimp
- Dairy products
- Mushrooms
Athletes and physically active people may need more NMN to meet mitochondrial demands, to support energy production. Active older adults in particular may need to supplement NMN as their cellular NAD+ levels naturally decline.
NAD vs NMN Supplements: Which is Best for You?
Many factors come into play when choosing the best supplement to meet your needs. With a massive amount of supplements available on the market, it is important to do some research before spending your hard-earned money. Bear in mind that nutrient supplements are not regulated by the FDA, and can therefore vary widely in terms of quality and efficacy.
Factors to consider when choosing a supplement include:
- Mode of delivery – popular options include oral, injectible, sublingual, and intravenous (IV).
- Bioavailability – some supplements are readily absorbed from the digestive tract, while others degrade and lose their potency during digestion.
- Accessibility – most nutrient supplements can be found in abundance online, making them easy to access, but difficult to choose from.
- Potency – usually expressed in mg per dose, but some oral supplements may lose potency during digestion.
- Quality – multiple factors determine quality, including the manufacturing process, the amount of added ingredients, and the overall purity of the active substance.
- Cost – costs can vary widely, but cost should not be your primary concern. Higher-quality products typically cost a bit more, although some effective supplements can be relatively inexpensive
As an oral supplement, NMN is more stable and absorbable compared to oral NAD, which degrades in the digestive tract. Oral NMN is released to the cells gradually over time, while NAD, when delivered intravenously, provides a faster, more immediate boost. Many prefer IV infusion over oral supplements for potency, effectiveness and convenience.
The table below provides a comparative overview of NMN vs NAD supplements:
| Aspect |
NAD |
NMN |
| Definition |
Coenzyme critical for energy and cell repair |
Precursor to NAD, converts to NAD in body |
| Primary Function |
Energy production, DNA repair, sirtuin activation |
Increases NAD levels indirectly |
| Bioavailability |
Poor oral absorption; better via IV or sublingual |
Good oral bioavailability |
| Supplement Forms |
Pills, sublingual, IV infusions |
Capsules, powders, sublingual tablets |
| Scientific Support |
Strong in animals; limited human data |
Strong in animals; growing human evidence |
| Side Effects |
Nausea, fatigue (oral); flushing (IV) |
Mild GI issues (rare) |
| Cost (Monthly) |
$20–$50 (oral); $100–$1000 (IV) |
$50–$150 |
| Accessibility |
Widely available; IV requires clinics |
Available OTC, but regulatory concerns exist |
| Typical Dosage |
100–500 mg (oral); 100–1000 mg (IV) |
250–500 mg daily |
Get the Best NAD+ IV Therapy in NYC
NYC’s fast-paced lifestyle makes it challenging to get all the nutrients you need from diet alone, and taking daily supplements is one more thing on your to-do list that often goes by the wayside. With IV therapy, NAD+ is quickly delivered to your cells, providing immediate support for energy production, mitochondrial function, and DNA repair.
Invita Wellness, conveniently located in Manhattan’s fashionable SoHo district, is a one-stop-shop for nutrient IV infusions and other popular therapies designed to combat aging, support health, and enhance longevity. Contact Invita Wellness today, and give your body the nutrients it needs to push back against aging and perform at its peak.
Get the Best NAD+ IV Therapy in NYC
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Resources
Freeberg, Kaitlin A., et al. “Dietary supplementation with NAD+-boosting compounds in humans: current knowledge and future directions.” The Journals of Gerontology: Series A 78.12 (2023): 2435-2448.
Dietary Supplementation With NAD+-Boosting Compounds in Humans: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
