Aging is one of the things that troubles many Americans. Most of these individuals are always looking for products and methods to reverse or slow down the signs of aging. As a result, anti-aging products generate billions of dollars in revenue every year.

The use of nicotinamide riboside is one of these options. It also aims to reverse the aging signs of the body, and is alternatively referred to as niagen. Unlike most of the other products available, niagen works from inside the body to reverse these signs. 

In every cell of the human body, NAD+ is present. It is a molecule that aids in the healthy aging process and the body converts nicotinamide riboside into these molecules.

There are several benefits of nicotinamide riboside in the body, and you will learn about these in this article. Also, you will learn more about nicotinamide riboside. 

What Is Nicotinamide Riboside?

Niagen or Nicotinamide riboside is another form of niacin or vitamin B3. Once it is present in the body, the body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). The NAD+ functions as a helper molecule or coenzyme in the body.

Also, for many significant biological processes in the body, NAD+ functions as a fuel. Some of these processes include:

• Repair of damaged DNA
• Setting up the circadian rhythm or internal clock of the body
• Conversion of food to energy
• Fortification of the cell defense systems

Despite the importance of NAD+ in the body, the amount present usually reduces as you get older. This is a natural occurrence, and the low level of NAD+ has some adverse effects. These include heart diseases, vision loss, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses, as well as aging.

In dealing with aging, research on the effects of NAD+ in animals show that it can aid in reversing the various signs of aging in the body. Other positive effects include a reduction in the risk of chronic diseases in individuals.

Due to the effectiveness of niagen in increasing NAD+ levels in individuals, the nicotinamide riboside supplements have gained popularity. Yeast, bear, and cow milk are known to contain nicotinamide riboside in trace amounts.

Benefits

Currently, there are only potential benefits of nicotinamide riboside in humans. This is due to the lack of extensive studies on its effectiveness in humans. Many of the studies available focus on its effects on animals.

Regardless, the following are some of the potential benefits of nicotinamide riboside:

Converts Into NAD+ Rapidly

In animals, the use of NAD+ from nicotinamide riboside occurs faster than other NAD+ precursors. Nicotinamide riboside is an example of NAD+ precursors.

NAD+ precursors function as the NAD+ building blocks, and the consumption of these precursors is an effective method in the increase of NAD+ levels. With low NAD+ showing a close relationship to poor aging in humans and other diseases, you must increase the level.

In animals, nicotinamide riboside can provide a 2.7 times increase in NAD+ level due to nicotinamide riboside.

Promotes Healthy Aging By Activating Enzymes

In aiding healthy aging in the body, Nicotinamide riboside increases the NAD+ levels in the body, while promoting the activation of some enzymes in the body. Poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are one of these groups.

This is a group of enzymes that is responsible for repairing any damaged DNA in the body. According to various studies, a longer lifespan and reduction in DNA damage are the effects of increased PARP activity. Another group of enzymes that are activated is the Sirtuins.

In animals, this group of enzymes is responsible for improving health and lifespan. They provide various healthy aging benefits, repair damages in DNA, enhance stress resistance, and minimize inflammation. In calorie restriction, sirtuins have also been determined to deliver benefits that pertain to an increase in lifespan. 

Brain Cells Protection

Parkinson’s diseases, Alzheimer’s, and other brain disorders, according to researchers, are partly due to impaired mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in addition to age. PGC-1-alpha is a protein present in the brain that protects against these issues.

The presence of NAD+ can help with the production of this enzyme. In a study that involved mice with Alzheimer’s diseases, an increase in NAD+ levels resulted in improved memory-related activities. 

There was an increase in the PGC-1-alpha and NAD+ levels by 50% and 70%, respectively, due to the nicotinamide riboside. The study shows one way through which NAD+ can aid in proper brain cells aging.

In another study, researchers looked at the effect of increased NAD+ levels in the stem cells of a Parkinson’s disease patient. The NAD+ levels showed a significant increase with the addition of nicotinamide riboside during this test-tube study.

Minimizing the Risk of Heart Disease

In addition to reducing the external effects of aging, NAD+ can also reduce the effects of aging inside the body. This is noticeable in the way it tackles the changes in the circulatory system as you get older.

These changes include blood vessels becoming stiffer, less flexible, and thicker. Due to these changes, there is a noticeable increase in blood pressure, which creates additional work for the heart. This is how aging often leads to heart diseases.

The presence of higher NAD+ levels due to nicotinamide riboside helps in reducing blood systolic pressure and aorta stiffness. This reversal of changes in arteries is also noticeable in animals.

Possible Side Effects

The absence of research on the long term effects of nicotinamide riboside is one of the few challenges in its use. Nonetheless, there are no serious side effects of taking between 1,000 – 2,000 mg per day.

Providing 136 mg per pound (300 mg per kg) of body weight in animals has no adverse effect when the dosage is administered for 90 days. There is also minimal risk of facial flushing, which is common with the consumption of vitamin B3 supplements. 

However, some minor side effects that individuals report include:

• Stomach discomfort
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Headaches