NMN / NAD+ Precursors
Episodes covering nmn / nad+ precursors — protocols, research, and expert discussions.
NAD+ precursors (NMN, NR) to boost cellular energy production, support DNA repair, and potentially slow aging processes
NAD+ declines with age and is essential for cellular energy and DNA repair. NMN and NR are precursors that can boost NAD+ levels. Animal studies are impressive, but human evidence is still emerging. Early human trials show increased NAD+ levels and some functional improvements, but long-term benefits remain unproven.
Promising longevity intervention with strong mechanistic rationale and positive animal data. Human evidence is growing but not yet definitive. Worth considering for longevity-focused individuals willing to invest in emerging science.
Science & Mechanisms
What is NAD+?
- Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - essential coenzyme in all cells
- Critical for energy metabolism (ATP production)
- Required for sirtuin activation (longevity genes)
- Necessary for PARP enzymes (DNA repair)
- Declines 50%+ from age 20 to 60
Precursors:
- NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide): Direct NAD+ precursor, one enzymatic step away
- NR (Nicotinamide Riboside): Requires two steps to become NAD+, more research history
- Niacin/Niacinamide: Older forms, less efficient, can cause flushing
Key studies:
- Yoshino et al. (2021): 250mg NMN improved muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women
- Martens et al. (2018): NR increased NAD+ levels and reduced blood pressure in older adults
- Igarashi et al. (2022): NMN improved gait speed and grip strength in older men
Mechanisms:
- Replenishes declining NAD+ pools
- Activates sirtuins (SIRT1-7) - longevity and metabolism regulators
- Supports mitochondrial function
- Enhances DNA repair capacity
- May improve vascular function
Limitations:
- Most impressive data is from animal studies
- Long-term human safety data limited
- Optimal dosing not established
- Expensive compared to many supplements
- Some debate about absorption and bioavailability
Episodes
Rhonda Patrick explores NAD+ in aging and the role of nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) as precursors. Covers the science of NAD+ decline with age...
Rhonda Patrick examines the evidence on resveratrol as a longevity compound. Critically evaluates the research, separating hype from what the data actually shows about this popu...
Dr. Charles Brenner, a leading NAD metabolism researcher, joins Rhonda Patrick on FoundMyFitness to explain how NAD levels decline in disease states and aging, and what interven...
Skipping one meal daily activates sirtuins and autophagy without requiring extreme fasting - low glucose and insulin states trigger your longevity genes. NMN supplementation can...
Andrew Huberman speaks with Dr. Peter Attia, a Stanford and Johns Hopkins-trained physician and host of The Drive podcast, about whether popular longevity supplements actually e...
Andrew Huberman hosts Dr. Craig Koniver, a board-certified physician specializing in performance medicine, for a deep dive into the therapeutic use of peptides and hormones for ...
Ben Greenfield speaks with Dr. Anurag Singh, Chief Medical Officer at Timeline, about Urolithin A (marketed as Mitopure), a postbiotic molecule that has shown remarkable benefit...
Dave Asprey interviews David Renteln, co-founder and CEO of LUCY Nicotine and former Soylent co-founder, about nicotine as a misunderstood cognitive enhancement tool. They expla...
Ben Greenfield sits down with naturopath and supplement formulator Kyal Van Der Leest to explore the emerging world of oral peptides. They discuss how compounds like BPC-157 can...
Dave Asprey interviews Baran Dilaver, CEO and co-founder of Wonderfeel Biosciences, about NAD precursors and novel longevity compounds. The conversation covers why NAD is essent...
Jim Kwik hosts Dr. Andrew Salzman, a Harvard-trained physician and Chief Medical Officer at Wonderfeel, for a deep conversation about NAD's central role in cellular energy, brai...
Dr. Caroline Leaf interviews Dr. Andrew Salzman, a Harvard-trained physician with 30 years of NAD research experience, about the role of NAD in brain health and aging. Dr. Salzm...
Drs. Spencer Nadolski and Karl join Dr. Charles Brenner, the researcher who discovered nicotinamide riboside (NR) as a vitamin precursor of NAD, for a no-nonsense discussion abo...
Peter Attia and Nick Stenson are joined by aging researcher Matt Kaeberlein for an AMA comparing three geroprotective molecules: NAD precursors (NR/NMN), rapamycin, and metformi...