Posts

NR vs NMN: What's the Difference?

Image
NR vs NMN? Nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are both precursors to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme that plays important roles in energy production, DNA repair, and other cellular processes. NR and NMN are often mixed up and confused by most consumers. We will cover the essentials and explain about each of these supplements below. NAD NAD is a type of coenzyme found in all living cells. NAD plays important roles in a variety of metabolic reactions, including energy production and DNA repair. NAD is derived from Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and various other precursors. NR is one of the 3 main forms of Niacin (vitamin B3). NR, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), Niacin (NA) and Niacinamide (NAM) are all NAD precursors, meaning all these precursors will be transformed into NAD. That said, each precursor has it's own different pathway that will lead to NAD. NAD+ is a substrate for a number of important enzymes, including poly(ADP-ribose

Methylene Blue: Benefits, Dosage and Side Effects 2023

Image
Methylene blue (MB), also known as methylthioninium chloride, is a bioactive substance and a blue dye. Methylene blue (MB), as the first fully man-made medicine, has a wide range of clinical applications. Apart from its well-known FDA approved applications in surgical staining, malaria, and methemoglobinemia, the anti-oxidative properties of MB recently brought new attention to this century-old drug. Some researchers believe that it can directly improve cellular and mitochondrial function and decrease the production of proteins linked to Alzheimer’s. It is also being studied for its potential to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO), nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and guanylate cyclase [ Rojas, 2013 ,  Tucker, 2017 ]. Mitochondrial Mechanisms During brain aging, mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with neuronal loss. It has also been observed in many brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and brain injuries [ Nitzan, 2019 ]. M

FDA NMN Policy - March 2023 Update

Image
In March 2023, two of the largest supplement and natural products trade organizations filed a citizen's petition with the FDA asking that they change their position on NMN. The Natural Products Association (NPA) and the Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) asked the FDA to: Determine nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is not excluded from the definition of a dietary supplement under 21 U.S.C. §321(ff)(3)(B); Commit to exercising enforcement discretion in connection with the marketing and selling of NMN in or as a dietary supplement; or In the alternative, recommend the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) issue a regulation after notice comment, finding NMN would be lawful. During a meeting on Friday, Dan Fabricant, the head of the Natural Products Association (the NPA) explained that although everyone hopes the citizen's petition leads to an FDA policy reversal on NMN, the filing is meaningful regardless of the FDA's response because it will ultimately allow the trade

NMN 101: What You Need to Know (2023)

Image
What’s NMN? NMN stands for Nicotinamide MonoNucleotide, a molecule naturally occurring in all life forms. At the molecular level, it is a ribo-nucleotide, which is a basic structural unit of the nucleic acid RNA. Structurally, the molecule is composed of a nicotinamide group, a ribose and a phosphate group (Figure 1). NMN is the direct precursor of the essential molecule nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and is considered a key component to increase NAD+ levels in cells.   What is Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+)? NAD+ is an essential coenzyme required for life and cellular functions. Enzymes are catalysts that make biochemical reactions possible. Coenzymes are  ‘helper’ molecules that enzymes need in order to function.  What Does NAD+ Do? NAD+ is the most abundant molecule in the body besides water, and without it, an organism would die. NAD+ is used by many proteins throughout the body, such as the sirtuins, which repair damaged