Dr. Charles Brenner (FAQs), University of Iowa professor, chief scientific advisor at Chromadex, and discoverer of Nicotinamide Riboside “NR” (FAQs) as an NAD precursor vitamin recently responded to a number of investor questions. Key quotes:

On Why Raising NAD+ is Important

“NAD+ is the central mediator of metabolism. No cell can survive without it.

“NAD+ is required for foods to be converted to energy, for the synthesis of hormones, for DNA to be repaired, and for resistance to stresses….”

“NAD+ declines in aging. Our resiliency and metabolism decline in aging. “

“Boosting NAD+ is a way to maintain youthful metabolism and youthful resiliency.”

On the Merits of Taking NR to Raise NAD+

“The value proposition of NR depends on the unique ability of NR to maintain and boost NAD in every cell and tissue and, in particular, in tissues undergoing damage and stress.”

“NR is the only NAD-boosting compound that elevates metabolism, protects damaged nerves, extends lifespan in mice and other model systems, and increases insulin sensitivity.”

“Inexpensive NAD precursors….cannot substitute for NR.”

“We are dealing with an aging population with a high incidence of chronic diseases that involve inflammation, insulin insensitivity, neuropathy and heart diseases, all of which can potentially be addressed uniquely by NR.”

“You can be assured that there is no other NAD precursor that can do what NR does.”

On Why Nicotinamide and Niacin Can’t Substitute for NR

“The basic thesis of NR is that NR boosts NAD+ without inhibiting sirtuins (the problem with Nicotinamide), without causing flushing (the problem with Niacin) and in damaged cells including nerves and muscles.”

“Nicotinamide and Niacin can’t substitute for NR because they aren’t used in all of the same cells and they don’t produce the same results.”

“The best example of these compounds not being equivalent is with respect to glycemic control. Nicotinamide and Niacin promote insulin insensitivity (which is bad), while NR promotes insulin sensitivity (which staves off type 2 diabetes).

“So you should not believe anyone who says that the three compounds are equivalent.”

“Niacin and Nicotinamide are both very important compounds in prevention of dietary insufficiency but they cannot substitute for NR as metabolic boosters because there are different genes required to make NAD from these compounds.”

On the Downside of Taking High Doses of Niacin

“High doses of niacin, meaning 500 mg to 4 grams/day, improve cholesterol (HDL up, LDL down, free fatty acids down).

Unfortunately, high dose niacin causes flushing, which limits its use.”

Full interview HERE.

RELATED:

  • FAQs on taking NAD boosting vitamin supplement Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) can be found HERE.

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