Consumers often wonder whether they can raise their NAD+ levels by simply eating certain foods rich in NAD+ precursors. Unfortunately, NAD+ precursors like Nicotinamide Riboside “NR” (FAQs) (Anecdotes) and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide “NMN” (FAQs and Anecdotes) are only found in trace amounts in food:

Excerpts from the Chromadex NR Blog:

“Here’s a look at a few ways you can supplement NR in your diet.

1. MILK

Almond milk, oat milk, and other milk substitutes are heralded as a better alternative to cow’s milk.

However, cow’s milk does have one thing going for it that other milk substitutes don’t: higher amounts of Nicotinamide Riboside NR.

Clinical studies behind Niagen, a patented form of Nicotinamide Riboside, recommend a daily intake of 300mg to get the most out of the ingredient.

If milk were your only source of NR, you would need to drink over 1,300 glasses of conventional milk to equate to a 300mg supplement.

2. BREWER’S YEAST

Brewer’s yeast is a common subject for researchers investigating NAD+ because of its high niacin content.

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition shows Nicotinamide Riboside was also found in yeast.

Due to the high concentration of niacin in yeast, it’s probable that yeast has a higher concentration of NR than milk.

Unfortunately, no one has studied the measurements of NR in yeast enough to verify this speculation. 

Nevertheless, the quantities would likely still be an insignificant amount compared to 300mg of Niagen (NR brand). 

NATURAL VS. SYNTHETIC SOURCES

There is still much to be studied when it comes to natural sources of NR.

Foods that are also rich in Niacin or Nicotinamide may have a certain concentration of Nicotinamide Riboside.

However, as shown in the milk study, the amount of NR in these foods is likely too minuscule to make any meaningful impact on your body. 

A study published in Scientific Reports shows that daily supplementation of 300mg of Niagen (NR brand) can increase NAD+ by up to 50% after two weeks.  

On the other hand, incorporating a diet with an enormous amount of milk or yeast is unrealistic and disproportionately unhealthy.

Most importantly, such a change in your diet only amounts to a mere drop in the bucket in elevating your NAD+ levels.“

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