The ageing population is growing rapidly in all parts of the world. Interest in anti-aging research has also grown rapidly in recent years. Researchers around the world are working feverishly on ways to grow old and grow older healthily. In fact, health and old age are no longer mutually exclusive - thanks to innovative minds. One approach in particular has stood out in research: As we age, the amount of the molecule NAD in our cells decreases. NAD is indirectly involved in DNA repair. Millions of errors occur every day during cell division. Most of these can normally be repaired. When NAD is missing in old age, this mechanism no longer works as well - we become ill and age. What does the vitamin B3 family have to do with it? Here is the answer to this exciting question.
Vitamin B3 – occurrence and effects
Niacin (BXNUMX), also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, has a variety of positive effects in the body via various subsequent molecules. It forms a starting point for the production of NAD. It lowers LDL ("don't do that"), increases HDL ("love you") cholesterol and can lower blood fats. Some studies have also shown positive effects on the skin, the brain and also in connection with cardiovascular diseases. The molecule really does have superpowers. The daily requirement of niacin is 14-16mg. And where can you find it? Fortunately, vitamin B3 is theoretically and practically everybody's darling. Poultry, game, fish, peanuts and lentils are particularly rich in niacin, but coffee, cashews, whole grain products, mushrooms, dairy products and eggs also contain significant amounts. So whether you are one of the six million vegetarians in Germany, one million vegans or an average consumer, deficiency symptoms are rare in humans due to the wide availability.
The dose makes the poison
Conversely, an incorrectly dosed niacin supplement can cause undesirable symptoms. A daily intake of over 500 mg of niacin per day (sometimes even less) can lead to a "flush". By this, experts mean a sudden reddening of the skin that occurs primarily on the face or upper body. Some of you will certainly be familiar with this from some embarrassing situations. At even higher doses (>2,5 g per day), more serious symptoms such as a drop in blood pressure, dizziness and increased uric acid levels in the blood can occur. In addition, doses of several grams per day carry the risk of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and liver damage. In some studies, long-term use of high-dose niacin preparations has also led to a deterioration in glucose tolerance.
1. Family member – NAM
Nicotinamide (Niacinamide,NAM) is a derivative, colloquially known as a descendant, of niacin and also a member of the vitamin B3 family. It therefore seems logical that the positive spectrum of effects partially overlaps with niacin. Since it is chemically a different molecule, the flush is not a side effect. So like Superman, only better? Yes and no. NAM is produced in the body when our desired molecule NAD is broken down. The body can save this NAM via a special metabolic pathway (salvage pathway) and then reuse it to produce new NAD via subsequent molecules. The processing in our body is therefore different.
The daily vitamin B3 requirement can also be met in the form of NAM. As with niacin, the dose makes the poison with NAM. Patients who took 3 g of nicotinamide a day for 3 to 36 months complained of nausea, headaches, hives, fatigue, facial rigidity and adjustment disorders of the eyes. Liver damage was observed with even higher doses (up to 9 g daily). Is niacin or nicotinamide better when it comes to doing something good for the body? That cannot be judged because the way it is processed in the body and the route to NAD is different, or in other words "same, same but different. "
NR and NMN
Let us move on to the next member of the vitamin B3 family. This is Nicotinamide riboside(NR), another derivative of niacin. In one study, the molecule has been recommended as an anti-aging drug. It is also a precursor of NAD. However, NR, like NAM, must first be converted into the fourth family member (NMN) and then further into NAD. We have discussed this in another article NR and NMN compared.
Typically, this NMN (Nicotinamide mononucleotide) is also a derivative of niacin, but the chemical relationship is somewhat more distant. In the body it represents the direct predecessor of our target molecule NAD. NMN can therefore be converted into NAD + This is where we come closest to a possible nutritional supplement. It's as if our Superman didn't even have to make the journey because he was already right there. Dr. David Sinclair, a pioneer in the field of NMN research, was able to show in studies on rodents that a substitution of NMN causes a significant increase in NAD+ levels.
There are many ways to get to Rome. The only question is whether you take the country road or the motorway. Ideally, you're already there.
Sources
Books
Denu, JM (2007). Vitamins and aging: pathways to NAD+ synthesis.Cell,129 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867407005296
Uddin, G. M., Yongson, N., Sinclair, D., & Morris, M. (2015). Effects of high fat diet induced obesity on mitochondrial biogenesis and function–impact of exercise or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). The FASEB Journal,29(1_supplement), 777-8.https://www.fasebj.org/doi/abs/10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.777.8
Zhang, H. et al.(2016). NAD+ repletion improves mitochondrial and stem cell function and enhances life span in mice. Science,352 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27127236
Hwang, E.S., & Hwang, S.Y. (2018). Cellular NAD⁺ level: a key determinant of mitochondrial quality and health. Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research,21 https://www.e-agmr.org/upload/pdf/AGMR021-04-02.pdf
Irie, J. et al. (2020). Effect of oral administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide on clinical parameters and nicotinamide metabolite levels in healthy Japanese men. Endocrine journal,67 https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/endocrj/67/2/67_EJ19-0313/_article
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