Key Points:
- Dr. Drew and biochemist Charles Brenner, Ph.D., discuss the importance of NAD+ and how NR could be better than NMN.
- However, there is not enough research to indicate that either NR or NMN is better than the other in boosting NAD+ levels.
Drew Pinsky, M.D., is a practicing physician specializing in addiction medicine. His initial claim to fame came from the show Loveline and he has since starred in shows like Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. He currently hosts several podcasts, including Ask Dr. Drew, where he interviewed Charles Brenner, Ph.D. — an established City of Hope biochemist who says he discovered nicotinamide riboside (NR) activity.
Pinsky and Brenner Discuss the Importance of NAD+
Dr. Brenner compares NAD+ to copper wires. Within the walls of buildings and houses, in electrical devices, and in electric cars are copper wires that carry high-energy electrons, the movement of which we call electricity. Humans run on electricity as well, except the high-energy electrons in our body are carried by NAD+. NAD+ takes high-energy electrons from the food we eat to make ATP (cellular energy) and repair cells. Dr. Drew adds that NAD+ is the necessary ingredient for anabolism, or building.
In discussing the roles NAD+ plays in the body, Dr. Drew brings up the time when podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan’s doctor gave Rogan NAD+ infusions to treat COVID. Brenner then describes how viruses attack and disrupt NAD+ metabolism. However, he believes boosting NAD+, particularly with NR, could combat viruses like COVID by enhancing the innate immune system.
Other than viral attacks, Brenner explains how NAD+ metabolism can also be disrupted by sundry stressors to the body. He gives the example of flying to Spain and partying on the beaches of Ibiza. The cellular stress triggered by jet lag, sun exposure, alcohol, and lack of sleep are all enough to disrupt NAD+ levels. NAD+ also declines with aging, but it is unclear whether it is due to some biological timer or if it is aggravated by inactivity or inflammation, Brenner notes.
Pinsky and Brenner Discuss NR’s Superiority to NMN
“As God as my witness, if I had access to only one supplement, NR would be that supplement… The fact that it’s not more widely used and distributed I just can’t get over it. I want to be a part of it being used widely.” — Dr. Drew Pinsky
When Dr. Drew asks Brenner why NR is better than NMN, Brenner first thanks Harvard professor Dr. David Sinclair for popularizing NAD+ and getting people to take NMN. He then says that NMN is basically just delivering NR. This is because NMN has a large molecule attached to it called a phosphate group that is usually removed before it enters cells. When the phosphate group is removed from NMN, it becomes NR.
Brenner goes on to say that some people have promoted the idea of a transporter for NMN that allows NMN to get into cells without being converted to NR. The ones promoting this transporter are scientists like David Sinclair, who has published a paper showing the existence of an NMN transporter. Other groups of scientists have also published work showing the existence of this transporter. However, Brenner says there is no such transporter.
Are Pinsky and Brenner Right About NR?
There is not sufficient evidence to suggest that NR is the best NAD+ precursor. In terms of boosting NAD+ levels, multiple studies have shown that both NR and NMN elevate NAD+ to similar levels. Moreover, Dr. Brenner is the scientific advisor to ChromaDex, which makes the Tru Niagen brand of NR. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to say that Brenner is biased towards NR. Until studies show that NR is more effective than NMN, we cannot know whether NR is the best NAD+ precursor supplement.
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