II.·ii. Mitochondria · 2 of 6

NMN / NR NAD+ precursors

NAD+ drops 50% by age 50. Without it, sirtuins and PARP don't function · without sirtuins, no DNA repair or autophagy. NMN and NR are the two precursors with real human evidence. Pillar of modern longevity field (Sinclair · Imai · Brenner).

Medium-high evidence250–1000 mgNMN/day300–600 mgNR/day~45 €/monthNMN mid tier
5NMN / NR appears in 5 protocols personalizable
Optimal dose
500 mg NMN
or 300 mg NR/day
Best form
NMN sublingual
or NR Niagen®
Hallmarks
NAD+ · Mito · Sirt
3 of 12 hallmarks
Canon stack
+ Resveratrol
Sinclair protocol
i.

What are NMN and NR

NAD+ precursors · limiting coenzyme of sirtuins, PARP, CD38 and +500 redox enzymes. Levels drop 50% by age 50 · molecular hallmark of aging.

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a redox coenzyme present in every cell · participates in over 500 enzymatic reactions. Three critical uses: (1) mitochondrial electron transport chain (ATP production); (2) mandatory cofactor of sirtuins (SIRT1-7) regulating DNA repair, autophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis; (3) PARP substrate for damaged DNA repair.

The problem: tissue NAD+ levels drop 50% between ages 30 and 50. Decline is bidirectional · more consumption (CD38 inflammaging) + less synthesis (NAMPT deficient). Without sufficient NAD+, sirtuins and PARP are functionally silenced · one of the most reproducible molecular hallmarks of aging.

NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is the immediate NAD+ precursor · a single enzymatic reaction (NMNAT) converts it. Sinclair (Harvard) advocates it. NR (nicotinamide riboside) is the other validated precursor · one more reaction (NRK + NMNAT) · ChromaDex holds patent (Tru Niagen brand). Both raise tissue NAD+ in humans per 2020-2024 RCTs.

«NAD+ decline with age is NOT debatable · reproducible data across 30 human cohorts and all animal models. The question is how well you delay it with supplementation · and human evidence is now consolidating.» Shin-ichiro Imai · MD PhD · Washington University · Nature Aging 2023
−50%
tissue NAD+ between ages 30 and 50 · one of the most reproducible molecular hallmarks of human aging.
Source · Imai · Nature Aging 2023 (review)
ii.

Clinical evidence · NMN and NR human RCTs

5 pivotal studies · RCT in prediabetics · postmenopausal women · Parkinson's · long-term safety. Human evidence CONSOLIDATING 2020-2024.

StudyFindingHallmarks
NMN and insulin sensitivity postmenopausal women
Yoshino et al · Science 2021
Double-blind RCT 10 weeks · n=25 prediabetic postmenopausal women · 250 mg NMN/d improved muscle insulin sensitivity (euglycemic clamp) 25% vs placebo. First serious human RCT confirming metabolic effect.NAD+Metabolic
NR (Niagen) safety + NAD+ elevation 2 years
Conze et al · Nutrients 2019 + Yamaguchi 2022
RCT n=120 · 100-1000 mg NR/d × 8 weeks · dose-dependent RBC NAD+ elevation (+25% at 100 mg, +90% at 1000 mg). Yamaguchi 2022 2-year follow-up: zero safety red flags, sustained NAD+.NAD+Safety
NR in Parkinson · NADPARK trial
Brakedal et al · Cell Metab 2022
RCT n=30 · 1000 mg NR/d × 30 d · brain NAD+ elevation by MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) + UPDRS-III motor function improvement. First NAD+ trial in real neuro-condition.NeuroParkinson
NMN safety 12 weeks in older men
Yamaguchi et al · Endocr J 2022
RCT n=30 men 65+ · 250 mg NMN/d × 12 weeks · zero safety red flags + mild walking speed and grip improvement. No clinically relevant adverse effects up to 1200 mg/d in humans.SafetyAge
Mills 2016 · NMN reverses age-related changes mice
Mills et al · Cell Metab 2016
Cardinal study · C57BL/6 female mice · 300 mg/kg NMN water · reversed age-related NAD+ decline, improved insulin sensitivity, muscle and lipid mitochondrial function, ocular function. Mechanistic basis of the field.NAD+Mito
My Protocol · free

Is NMN / NR right for your case? It cross-references your age, biomarkers and medication.

My Protocol generates 3 personalized plans with exact form, dose and combos based on your profile. No commitment.

Generate free →
iii.

Hallmarks of Aging targeted

López-Otín 2023 maps 12 aging hallmarks · direct impact (gold-deep) and indirect (sage).

GenomicinstabilityDNArepairTelomereattritionEpigen.alteredProteo.lossNutrientsensingMito.functionCellularsenescenceStem cellexhaust.Alteredcomm.Chronicinflamm.DysbiosisDisabledautophagy
Direct impact (2)Indirect impact (4)Not impacted (6)
iv.

NMN/NR dose · how much, when and how

NMN sublingual 250-1000 mg/day morning · NR Niagen 300-600 mg/day. Take in morning (mimics endogenous NAD+ circadian cycle).

Phase 1Weeks 1–4

Initiation

250 mg NMN / day · morning

Start modest dose to evaluate tolerance. Take on waking (endogenous NAD+ has morning peak · supplementing potentiates circadian rhythm). Sublingual better than oral (bypass hepatic first-pass).

Phase 2Weeks 5–12

Therapeutic dose

500 mg NMN / day

Dose of most human RCTs · safety profile confirmed up to 1200 mg/d. If taking NR (Niagen): equivalent ~400 mg NR. Maintain 3-6 months for complete tissue NAD+ repletion.

Phase 3Advanced

Longevity stack

1000 mg NMN + 500 mg TMG

Sinclair canon dose · 1000 mg NMN morning · add TMG (trimethylglycine · betaine) 500 mg to support methylation (NMN consumes methyls · may deplete SAMe long-term). Optional combo with resveratrol 500 mg + omega-3.

Phase 4Cycling debate

Cyclic breaks

5 days ON / 2 days OFF (optional)

Some authors (Imai) suggest breaks to avoid NAMPT down-regulation (endogenous synthesis). Others (Sinclair) use continuous. Limited human evidence on cycling · pragmatic: cycle if tight budget, continuous if budget covers.

v.

NMN vs NR · sublingual vs oral vs liposomal

Two distinct compounds (NMN and NR) · each with multiple forms. Stability and bioavailability vary enormously · form + brand are critical.

NMN sublingual powderDissolution under tongue
ProsBetter bioavailability (bypass hepatic first-pass) · detectable plasma effects 30-60 min · form used in Yoshino 2021 trial.
ConsUnpleasant bitter taste (but tolerable). Needs discipline (hold 60s under tongue). NMN unstable in warm saliva.
Ideal use: 80% cases · best cost/efficacy ratio.
NMN oral capsulesGastro-resistant capsules
ProsComfortable · tasteless · travel-friendly. DR (delayed release) capsules improve bioavailability vs normal capsules (which degrade in stomach).
ConsLower bioavailability than sublingual (50-70% per Yi 2023 RCT). Verify brand uses NMN-specific DR caps.
Ideal use: travel · patients avoiding tastes · budget covers premium DR brand.
NR (Niagen®)Nicotinamide riboside · ChromaDex patent
ProsForm with most human RCT data (Conze 2019 + Brakedal 2022). FDA-cleared for USA supplement use (NMN was withdrawn USA 2022). Stable oral · no sublingual needed.
ConsExpensive (patent brand · ~50-70 €/month). One more enzymatic conversion than NMN (NRK → NMN → NAD+). Slower PK curve.
Ideal use: patients preferring form with more RCTs · ample budget · USA where NMN unavailable.
vi.

Best NMN / NR brands · Spain 2026

Market contaminated with low-purity Chinese synthetic NMN · seek HPLC ≥99% + third-party COA. Authentic NMN Uthever® or Niagen® are benchmark.

Premium

ProHealth NMN Pro 1000 (Uthever®)

85 € · 60 capsules (1 month at 2 caps)

Dose: 500 mg Uthever® NMN/capsule

Form: Uthever® NMN · HPLC purity 99.7%

Cert.: GMP · third-party COA · Sinclair-endorsed

Fillers: Vegetable DR capsule · zero excipients

ProHealth DistributoraffComing soonAmazon SpainaffComing soon
Medio

Renue ByScience NMN Sublingual

55 € · 30 g powder (1 month at 500 mg/d)

Dose: 500 mg NMN/dose (spoon included)

Form: Sublingual NMN powder · stabilized

Cert.: GMP · third-party COA

Fillers: Only NMN · no flavorings

Renue Distributor ESaffComing soonAmazon SpainaffComing soon
Económica

Tru Niagen NR 300mg

55 € · 30 capsules (1 month)

Dose: 300 mg Niagen® NR/day

Form: Niagen® NR · ChromaDex patent

Cert.: GMP · NSF · FDA GRAS

Fillers: Microcrystalline cellulose · Mg stearate

iHerbaffComing soonAmazon SpainaffComing soon
My Protocol · free

Not sure which brand to choose for your case?

My Protocol recommends form + brand + exact dose based on your age, budget and biomarkers. No commitment · 3 minutes.

Recommend brand →
vii.

Measure NAD+ · whole blood or RBC

Direct biomarker (NAD+) + indirect (insulin sensitivity · walking speed) to confirm real repletion.

NAD+ whole blood. Direct marker · target +50% vs baseline after 8 weeks supplementation. Jinfiniti Biosciences offers home kit (dry drop) ~120 € · Spain courier available. Only real efficacy marker.

Insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR). Yoshino 2021 showed +25% muscle sensitivity with 250 mg NMN/d × 10 weeks. HOMA-IR baseline vs 12 weeks is indicative. ~15 € general analytic.

Walking speed 4 m (gait speed). Functional indicator · <1 m/s associates with higher mortality. NMN/NR improves speed in elders (Yamaguchi 2022). Self-measurable home · useful monthly follow-up.

Related analysis · verified clinics

NAD+ + advanced metabolic panel in 8 clinics Spain · from 150 €

Whole blood NAD+ test + insulin sensitivity + HRV + body composition. Pre-post supplementation confirms real repletion. Few clinics offer NAD+ test yet in Spain.

8Verified clinics
150–280 €Price range
5-10 daysResults
4.8/5Average score
View 8 clinics →
viii.

Contraindications and interactions

Good safety profile in human RCTs · few contraindications specific to active cancer and pregnancy.

Consult healthcare professional if
  • Active cancer (not remission): evidence debate · NMN raises NAD+ · tumors may use NAD+ to grow. DO NOT supplement during active chemo/radio without consulting oncology. In 5+ year remission evidence is favorable. Consult oncology →
  • Pregnancy and lactation: limited data · avoid as precaution. Diet + niacin (B3) covers gestation needs.
  • Psychiatric disorders under treatment: some anecdotal reports of anxiety/insomnia with high doses. If taking SSRIs or mood stabilizers · start with low doses and monitor.
  • NAMPT inhibitor (FK866) embargo: specifically for researchers · NMN antagonizes clinical NAMPT inhibitors. Very rare relevance.
  • Possible methyl (SAMe) depletion: NMN/NR at high doses consumes methyl groups · supplement TMG (trimethylglycine) 500 mg/d as precaution in chronic use.
+25%
muscle insulin sensitivity with 250 mg NMN/day for 10 weeks in prediabetic postmenopausal women · first confirmatory serious human RCT.
Source · Yoshino · Science 2021
x.

Frequently asked questions about NMN/NR

8 real questions · 2020-2024 human literature-based answers.

NMN or NR · which is better?
Depends. NMN has FEWER human RCTs but more mechanistic activity (immediate precursor). NR has MORE RCTs and established safety profile. Spain: NMN legally available and cheaper. USA: only NR (FDA banned NMN 2022). My pragmatic Spain vote: sublingual NMN.
Better morning or evening?
Morning. Endogenous NAD+ has circadian morning peak (BMAL1/CLOCK regulation) · supplementing on waking mimics physiology. Taking at night may interfere with sleep in sensitive (NAD+ activates sirtuins that regulate circadian clock).
How long to notice effects?
Energy/mental clarity: 2-4 weeks. Insulin sensitivity: 8-12 weeks. Plasma NAD+: 4-8 weeks. Walking speed / strength: 12-24 weeks. Subjective changes are usually subtle · biomarkers are the real indicator.
Is it safe long-term?
Up to 2 years human evidence without red flags (Yamaguchi 2022 follow-up). >2 years unknown. Pragmatic: cycle or pause 1 month every 6 months if concerned · review evidence annually.
How do I verify brand authenticity?
Request batch third-party COA (Certificate of Analysis) · HPLC ≥99% NMN/NR purity. Market contaminated with low-quality Chinese synthetic NMN. Trustworthy brands: Uthever® (premium Chinese) · Niagen® (ChromaDex US) · avoid brands without public COA.
Always take with TMG?
Recommended chronic use (>6 months) and high doses (>500 mg). NMN/NR deplete methyls when metabolized · TMG (500 mg) provides methyl groups · prevents SAMe drop. Not essential at start but good practice.
IV NAD+ at clinic vs oral supplement?
IV NAD+: rapid pulse but expensive (200-500 € session). Oral supplement: stable and sustained. For real longevity protocol, oral is superior by consistency. IV reserved for specific protocols (addiction rehab · jet lag · post-chemo).
Sublingual vs capsule form?
Sublingual better: bypass hepatic first-pass · plasma peak 30-60 min vs 90-120 min oral. Similar cost. Bitter taste is only complaint (60s under tongue tolerable). DR (delayed release) capsule is better option if taste is deal-breaker.
xii.

Related

Supplements · treatments · biomarkers for your complete protocol.

My Protocol

Not sure where to start?

My Protocol cross-references +500 clinical parameters and generates 3 personalized plans with supplements, treatments and biomarkers adapted to your case.

Generate My Protocol free →