ChromaDex’s patented Tru Niagen supplement delivers nicotinamide riboside, a vitamin B3 precursor, to elevate NAD+ via established biosynthetic pathways. Multiple clinical trials and third-party testing confirm its efficacy in supporting cellular energy metabolism and DNA repair, targeting healthy aging and resilience.
Key points
Patented nicotinamide riboside (NR) increases NAD+ levels, supporting cellular energy metabolism.
GMP-certified production with third-party testing ensures supplement purity, dosage accuracy, and safety.
Clinical-strength Tru Niagen Pro 1000mg shows dose-dependent NAD+ elevation and improved mitochondrial bioenergetic metrics in human trials.
Why it matters:
Boosting NAD+ via NR offers a paradigm shift in longevity interventions by directly targeting cellular energy, DNA repair, and metabolic resilience.
Q&A
What is NAD+?
How does nicotinamide riboside differ from NMN?
Why does NAD+ decline with age?
Can NAD+ boosters interact with medications?
Read full article
Academy
Nicotinamide Riboside and NAD+ in Longevity Science
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+)
NAD+ is a vital coenzyme found in all living cells. It functions as an essential electron carrier in metabolic processes, shuttling electrons during cellular respiration to generate ATP, the cell’s main energy currency. Beyond energy metabolism, NAD+ is a substrate for several classes of enzymes, including PARPs (poly ADP-ribose polymerases) involved in DNA repair and sirtuins that regulate gene expression, stress resistance, and longevity.
NAD+ Decline with Age
As organisms age, NAD+ levels naturally decline due to increased DNA damage, chronic activation of PARPs, and upregulation of NAD+-consuming enzymes like CD38. This decline contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced metabolic efficiency, and impaired cellular repair mechanisms, all of which underlie age-associated diseases such as neurodegeneration, metabolic syndrome, and immunosenescence.
Nicotine Riboside (NR) as a Supplement
Nicotinamide riboside is a form of vitamin B3 that serves as a precursor in the NAD+ salvage pathway. When ingested, NR is absorbed via nucleoside transporters and phosphorylated by nicotinamide riboside kinases to produce nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), which is subsequently converted into NAD+. This pathway bypasses rate-limiting steps in other biosynthetic routes, making NR a highly efficient NAD+ booster.
"Supplementation with NR can restore NAD+ levels, enhancing cellular energy production and supporting longevity interventions."
Mechanism of Action
- Uptake: NR enters cells through equilibrative nucleoside transporters.
- Phosphorylation: NR kinases convert NR to NMN.
- Synthesis: NMN adenylyltransferase enzymes produce NAD+ from NMN.
- Utilization: NAD+ participates in redox reactions and serves as a substrate for PARPs and sirtuins.
Benefits in Longevity Research
- Enhances mitochondrial function and ATP production.
- Supports DNA repair and genome stability.
- Activates sirtuins associated with stress resistance and metabolic health.
- May improve muscle recovery, cognitive function, and immune resilience.
Safety and Quality Control
NR supplements like Tru Niagen are manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and subjected to third-party testing to ensure purity and accurate dosing. Clinical trials have demonstrated NR’s safety across various dosages without significant adverse effects.
Integrating NAD+ Supplementation
Individuals interested in longevity interventions can incorporate NR supplements alongside balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. Consulting healthcare professionals is recommended for personalized guidance, especially for those with underlying health conditions or who are taking prescription medications.
Future Directions
Ongoing research explores combining NAD+ boosters with other interventions such as senolytics, caloric restriction mimetics, and gene therapies. As our understanding of aging biology expands, targeted NAD+ modulation remains a promising strategy for promoting healthy lifespan and delaying age-related diseases.
