Read time – 3 minutes
Nicotinamide Riboside (Niagen)
Firstly, I should start out by saying that I’m not endorsing any products in my articles, including this one. This particular supplement caught my eye in the news and I thought I’d look at the evidence behind it. Some of the potential claims made by the company selling this are bold – from supporting cardiovascular health to aiding weight loss, and even preventing ageing. I wanted to know if there was science backing these claims up. Read on to find out if this is something you may benefit from…
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) – What is it? How does it work?
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is a particular form of vitamin B3 (niacin). NR is found in milk, albeit in tiny quantities. Dr David Sinclair, who discovered this compound, thought that if this was given in much greater doses, it may benefit certain aspects of human health. So he did some studies – and found that it boosted NAD+ levels (among other things). What are NAD+ levels and why are they important? They are thought to decrease with age, due to metabolic stresses. Every cell in the human body requires adequate doses of NAD+ in order to produce energy, in the form of ATP. If you have low NAD+ levels, you have low energy output in that cell and this means that organs work less efficiently – producing the symptoms and diseases associated with ageing. There is more science to this that meets the eye, with several studies measuring the effects of NR on particular ‘anti-aging’ enzymes but I won’t bore you with that. Basically, this supplement is thought to indirectly boost your cell’s ability to produce energy and work more efficiently.
What have studies shown so far?
Some of the studies, most of which have been performed on mice, demonstrate some quite remarkable effects. If the same effects can be demonstrated in humans, this could be a major breakthrough in medicine.
In one study, researcher’s used a mouse model closely resembling Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, one of the findings in these mice was low NAD+ levels (among other classical findings in Alzheimer’s disease). The scientists proceeded to give the mice NR, and performed a battery of tests on the mice before and after it was given. They found that administration of this supplement effectively boosted several aspects of cognition in these mice. In some respects, the mice were functioning cognitively at the same level as the control mice (normal mice). Furthermore, they found improved biomarkers of the disease. This drug shows real promise in this mouse model and further studies will follow to determine the effectiveness in human subjects.
In another study, they administered the supplement to a mouse model of mitochondrial myopathy. This is basically a muscle disease that is caused by the very thing that fails with ageing – mitochondria. Thus this disease shares many features with ageing. The supplement prevented progression of the disease, improved the mitochondria’s appearance under the microscope and even induced new mitochondria to grow. Furthermore, the mice lived longer than was expected. This supplement has potential to treat people with this condition and yet again highlights it’s potential role in the prevention and improvement of ageing.
Other studies exist demonstrating the potential of this drug. However, not only does this supplement have potential in disease – it may improve the quality of life in non-diseased ageing individuals. The ravages of age – fatigue, muscle aches, hearing loss, high blood pressure – may all benefit as a result of NR supplementation. These effects are being investigated currently.
Concluding Remarks
Many of the studies performed have been on mice so far, thus it is hard to draw firm conclusions as to their benefits to humans. However recent work has shown this supplement to be safe in humans, allowing work to be done to discover it’s true potential. As we speak, there are 11 studies currently recruiting or underway involving this supplement. From systolic heart failure to boosting cognitive effects in the elderly, the founders of this product are exploring all avenues. This compound has the potential to treat numerous health conditions and maintain health in the elderly population. Certainly some of the independent reviews appear positive, with those trialling the product claiming to ‘have re-gained their life’. Others, not so positive, and have claimed no clear benefits at all. So the jury is out, but it certainly has potential. Keep an eye out for this exciting supplement going forward and maybe even give it a shot yourself.
Read independent reviews of the product here – https://www.highya.com/niagen-reviews
If you use this supplement or have done so in the past, I’d like to hear your experiences. Please leave a comment or get in touch.
All Things Medicine 