Fight Ageing Cells

Change Happens

As we age, our bodies change. These physical changes are most obvious during puberty, but they continue throughout our lives. Some of the changes that happen as we age occur at the cellular level.

Cells Getting Old

As cells age, they make new copies of themselves. The new cells replace the older cells. This copying process happens over and over, but each new copy is a little less efficient than the last. This is partly because replacement cells have lower levels of enzymes. Enzymes help speed up chemical reactions in cells, which give cells energy. With fewer enzymes, the reactions slow down. So, each new cell copy works a little worse than the last. This is part of aging.

NAD for Cell Energy

One particular enzyme used in cell energy production that declines is called NAD+. By the time we reach middle age, our level is half that of when we were young. Lower levels of NAD+ are linked to increased cell stress and inflammation. Lower NAD+ is also linked to higher blood pressure, diabetes, and mental decline---the health conditions that increase with aging.

Speed up Cells

When the NAD+ level is increased, it speeds up the cell’s energy production, creating more energy for the cell to use. NAD+ also helps with DNA repair. DNA is an extremely long molecule---literally 6 feet long in every cell! Because of this, it is easy for it to get damaged and then create flawed copies of the cell. Thankfully, DNA has processes to preserve and repair it if necessary. NAD+ helps in this process.

Raise Your NAD

A supplement called NMN can help your body produce NAD+. Although it is possible to take NAD+ directly, your body has a hard time absorbing it. It is a giant molecule that doesn’t survive digestion. NMN, a building block of NAD+, is easily absorbed and taken into cells and used to make NAD+. You can also take the building block to NMN, which is NR. NR is the building block of NMN, which is the building block of NAD+.

NAD Foods

Some foods have NR, including many meats and lentils. Dairy, cheese, nuts, and eggs also have these compounds. Yet another reason to eat real, unprocessed foods like these. But foods don’t have large doses of the NAD+ building block, so to get enough to make a difference, you have to take capsules.

NR/NMN Supplements

Although research on NMN and NR is still in the early days, both will raise your level of NAD+. Studies with animals show that increasing your NAD+ level with supplements has anti-aging effects. Some studies show that it helps people with improved heart health. Because long-term safety has not been studied in humans, limit the daily dose to less than 1,000 mg—500 mg is a good place to start. Very high doses have been linked to liver problems. The sale of NMN is restricted in the US by the FDA, but it is available in Canada. It’s not cheap and only makes sense if you’ve mastered the lifestyle improvements. Basic lifestyle improvements have a much larger beneficial effect than supplements.

Alphabet Decoded

All these acronyms stand for long scientific names. NAD or NAD+ is the active molecule in the body. A closely related molecule is NADH. NR and NMN supplements can increase NAD+ levels in the cells. To find the right supplement, you should know their scientific names. They go by several different names. Warning: It’s an alphabet tornado!

NMN goes by

• Nicotinamide Mononucleotide

• Beta-nicotinamide mononucleotide

• Nicotinamide ribotide

• NMN zwitterion

• Beta-NMN

• Beta-nicotinamide D-ribonucleotide

• Nicotinamide ribonucleotide

NR goes by

• Nicotinamide riboside

They are not the same as vitamin B3 or niacinamide.

Pause Aging

If you are already eating well, exercising, sleeping well and have a good social group to help manage stress, you might be ready to take the next step to stay young and healthy. Although too new to know for sure, NR or NMN may help your cells feel younger.