Growth in humans is often marked by a series of health complications. These will range from digestive problems, chronic fatigue, autoimmune problems, general inflammation to insomnia and brain fog. Fixing all these challenges can prove to be medically expensive for any average person. Further still, the medication and other interventions can also help in further weakening the body.
But what if there was a way to naturally reduce most of these health complications? It goes without saying that a good number of people will not hesitate to embrace any such interventions that are sustainable and affordable. Well, the secret to maintaining the critical balance in life has been unveiled through nicotinamide riboside supplementation.
What is Nicotinamide Riboside
This supplement, nicotinamide riboside, is a nucleoside that comes from niacinamide and ribose. In essence, this is another form of vitamin B3, also known as nicotinic acid or niacin. It is commonly available whey protein, cow milk and brewer’s yeast.
Derivation of NR Health Benefits
Readily Converted To NAD+
What most people don’t know is that nicotinamide riboside is a NAD+ precursor. This means that it is required to make nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The health benefits of NR are therefore as a result of the role it plays in forming NAD+.
NAD+ coenzyme functions by carrying and releasing electrons, leading to energy creation in the mitochondria. This is the reason why you will find NAD+ being referred to as an electron carrier is other articles and publications. Consequentially being essential in mitochondrial functions (energy creation), NAD+ is also crucial for mitochondria health.
Activation of PARPs, Sirtuins, and CD38
Nicotinamide riboside supplementation will lead to a direct boost of NAD+. On its part, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide helps to activate several enzymes that are essential to health. They include:
- Sirtuins: these are anti-aging enzymes
- PARPS: help to repair damaged DNA
- CD38: An immune system receptor crucial for glucose induced secretion of insulin
Since SIRT1 helps to activate PGC-1alpha, supplementation of nicotinamide riboside helps to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis (the formation of new mitochondria in the body). In turn, this helps to improve the functions and health of mitochondria. This supplementation, can therefore help in supporting tissues that rely heavily on mitochondria for health, including the liver, nervous system, muscles and heart.
Nicotinamide riboside can also help to restore circadian rhythm. Regardless of NAMPT activity, NR can still increase the levels of NAD+. This helps to mitigate effects of aging, especially those that are concerned with poor circadian rhythm entrainment.
Testing Your Nicotinamide
Before taking any NAD+ supplements, a good rule of thumb is to test the levels of nicotinamide in your system. This will play a crucial role to determine the frequency and intensity of NR supplementation. It is best that this supplement is used to give optimal vitality performance.
You may want to consider taking a lab test so as to determine the exact periods when your body is in dire need of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. This means that while NR supplementation is good for maintaining optimum health, it should be taken in a controlled way to achieve maximum benefits.