There’s no “fountain of youth” pill just yet.
*
What is nicotinamide riboside (NR)?
And NAD+at least for healthy-aging researchersis kind of a big deal.
Potential health benefits of nicotinamide riboside.
However, research to date suggests NR is safe.
It may support mitochondrial function.
As mentioned above, levels of NAD+ decline significantly as we get older.
(This is why people whose mitochondria are not functioning optimally tend to feel exhausted.)
That’s because NAD+ seems to exert some of its health-promoting properties byhelping sirtuins do their job1.
It may enhance memory and combat cognitive decline.
The NR-treated mice also performed better on memory tests.
It might lengthen your life.
This is the same mechanism by which restricting calories seems to lengthen life span.
(Additional compounds that may mimic the life-extending effects of calorie restriction includepterostilbeneandresveratrol.)
While studies are still needed to confirm these results in humans, hopefully they will be just as promising.
It might promote muscle quality and strength.
As we age, muscle function and strength tend to decline.
But supplementing with NRat least in miceseems to help.
They then measured muscle strength and endurance, which was pretty low.
This could hold promise for aging adults who experience muscle weakness or atrophy.
It might counter the effects of a high-fat diet.
None of the mice receiving NR showed signs of diabetes either, and their energy levels improved.
How much NR should I take?
NR supplements can be taken on an empty stomach or with meals.
Are there any good dietary sources of NR?
As mentioned, there aretrace amounts of NR in milk9and dairy products.
Milk contains about 4.8 micromoles of NR per liter.
Unfortunately, chugging milk wont turn back time.
Bottom line on nicotinamide riboside: Can NR and NAD slow down aging?
The research is certainly promising.
NR could finally be the answer to fighting aging from the inside out.
Its the closest science has come to the fountain of youth in a bottle.
I think nicotinamide riboside is an incredibly promising compound that most people haven’t heard about.
