Niacin , nicotinamide (NAM) and nicotinamide ribose (NR) are different forms of vitamin B3. Each type of vitamin B3 has unique benefits. These include lowering cholesterol and slowing skin aging. Studies have shown that NR powder and NMN powder have similar effects. The similarities and differences between NMN bulk powder (nicotinamide mononucleotide powder) and vitamin B3 powder are confusing. In short, NMN is not vitamin B3. The three natural forms of vitamin B3 are niacin (NA), nicotinamide (NAM), and nicotinamide riboside (NR). However, all three forms of vitamin B3, as well as NMN, are converted to NAD+.
The importance of maintaining adequate levels of NAD+ was partially realised in 1937, when it was discovered that pellagra, a fatal disease, was caused by vitamin B3 deficiency. As a result, niacin, a synthetic version of NA, was created. Today, niacin is a generic term used to refer to vitamins B3, NA, NAM, and sometimes NR. However, in addition to boosting NAD+, these compounds appear to contribute to different biological processes in the body, providing unique benefits.
Unique benefits of vitamin B3 and NMN :
• Niacin/Nicotinic Acid
Niacin is probably the best known form of vitamin B3. It has been used for decades to treat and prevent pellagra, a condition characterised by dermatitis, diarrhoea and dementia. Niacin is widely recognised for its ability to improve cholesterol levels. It increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and decreases low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. By improving cholesterol levels, niacin may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Niacinamide/Nicotinamide
NMN powder is also known as nicotinamide mononucleotide powder. It is another form of vitamin B3. Unlike niacin, NAM does not have the same lipid-altering effects and does not cause 'niacin flushing', a common side effect of NA characterised by redness and warmth of the skin NAM is a popular ingredient in skincare products because of its anti-inflammatory properties, its ability to improve the skin's barrier function, reduce hyperpigmentation, and minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. wrinkles. It has also been studied for its potential to improve joint mobility and reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis.
• NR and NMN
NR and NMN were discovered later than NA and NAM. Increasing NAD+ levels with NR and NMN has been linked to improved mitochondrial function, increased energy production, and enhanced cellular repair mechanisms - all key factors in healthy cellular aging. In addition, research suggests that increasing NAD+ levels with NR powder or NMN powder supplements may help fight age-related diseases, improve muscle function, enhance cognitive performance, and extend lifespan.
While both NMN and NR are effective in increasing NAD+ levels, their biochemical pathways and potential benefits differ. NMN is converted directly to NAD+ in cells and has shown potential to improve physical endurance and metabolic health in clinical studies. nR is converted to NMN before it is converted to NAD+ and has been investigated for its effects on neuroprotection, cardiovascular health and metabolic regulation.
How Does It Work?
NAD+ major precursors tryptophan, B3 (NR nicotinic acid), nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). The main metabolic pathways are the 'scratch synthesis pathway' and the 'remedial salvage pathway'.
The ab initio pathway, as the name suggests, is an 8-step process starting with tryptophan and ending with the synthesis of NAD+. This is also known as the kynurenine pathway. This pathway is responsible for the production of NAD+ and serotonin melatonin. The production of NAD+ is time-consuming and inefficient. Low NAD+ levels cause the body to produce NAD+ first, reducing the production of serotonin and melatonin.
The remedial salvage pathway is the direct supplementation of NAD+ precursors such as nicotinic acid (NA), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide riboside (NR). The salvage pathway is, as the name suggests, a metabolic pathway that synthesises new substances from existing metabolites.
● Niacin is a safe and effective NAD+ precursor
Niacin, a form of vitamin B3, is an important precursor for the synthesis of NAD+. Niacin is converted to nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide (NaMN), which is then synthesised through a series of 3-step biochemical reactions, the Preiss-Handler pathway, which is also a salvage pathway.
A clinical study of niacin as a precursor to NAD+ was published in the June 2020 Cell subissue for patients with improved mitochondrial myopathy, taking doses of niacin ranging from 250mg per day NMN powder to a maximum of 750-1000mg per day for up to 10 months. The results showed that all subjects (patients plus healthy human controls) had elevated blood levels of NAD+ up to 8-fold. Muscle strength and mitochondrial biosynthesis were elevated in all subjects.
Five patients one of whom, a male, reported transient enhancement of gout symptoms. Two control subjects (also taking B3) discontinued the study after two months due to gastrointestinal irritation; the remaining participants tolerated niacin well.
The niacin used in the trial was an extended-release form of niacin, not a commonly used nutraceutical. It is a pharmaceutical dosage form. It allows for a sustained release of the drug into the body over a longer period. . rather than a one-time release.
● Currently, vitamin B3 is safe can be effectively metabolised to NAD+, experimentation is using high doses.
Vitamin B3 is a broad term. It is used to describe the water-soluble vitamins in the B vitamin family. These include NA, NMN powder, and NR powder. Although the NMN molecule is composed of NR molecules, it is not considered a form of vitamin B3. However, each of these compounds has unique benefits: NA is best known for its role in cholesterol management and cardiovascular health, NAM is prized for its skin health benefits and cellular repair capabilities, and NR and NMN are increasingly recognised for their potential to increase NAD+ levels, with anti-ageing and metabolic health benefits.
Please don't hesitate to contact us at info@gybiotech.com if you want to buy NMN powder, NR powder or B3 powder. Our group is eager to address any requests.
Reference:
Canto C. (2022). NAD+ Precursors: A Questionable Redundancy. Metabolites, 12(7), 630. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo12070630
Jacobson, M. K., & Jacobson, E. L. (2018). Vitamin B3 in Health and Disease: Toward the Second Century of Discovery. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 1813, 3–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8588-3_1
Trammell, S. A., Schmidt, M. S., Weidemann, B. J., Redpath, P., Jaksch, F., Dellinger, R. W., Li, Z., Abel, E. D., Migaud, M. E., & Brenner, C. (2016). Nicotinamide riboside is uniquely and orally bioavailable in mice and humans. Nature Communications, 7(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms12948
Xu, P., & Sauve, A. A. (2010). Vitamin B3, the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides and aging. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 131(4), 287-298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2010.03.006
