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NMN vs NAD – What Are the Differences?

June 27, 2023

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NMN and NAD have gained serious attention over the past few years due to their unique anti-aging effects. There is a good chance that you have seen the acronyms NMN and NAD listed on supplement bottles, health magazines, and blogs, but do you know what they are?

If you are tired of the confusion and just want a straightforward answer, this guide has the necessary information. Not only are we going to explain what the differences are between NMN and NAD, but we are also going to explain what they can do for you. Finally, we’ll tell you how you can get NMN and NAD naturally and sustainably.

So, let’s get started so we can get to the bottom of the NMN vs NAD issue!

NAD-molecule-scaled.

What Are NMN and NAD?

NMN and NAD are molecules essential in producing cellular energy.

Since the science can get slightly confusing, it makes sense to describe what NMN and NAD are quickly. Once you know what they are, the differences will become fairly obvious.

What Is NAD?

NAD, or NAD+, is the short form for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Regardless of which term you use, NAD is a coenzyme found in all living cells, including those within your body. The role of NAD within the body’s cells is the conversion of food and nutrients into energy.

NAD also plays a critical role in repairing damaged DNA. It also helps with gene expression, which is a fancy way of saying how a gene gets switched inside a cell to make proteins.

Unfortunately, as you get older, your blood NAD levels will begin to decline. Although this is a natural process, it is part of why people lose their energy levels and become susceptible to a range of age-related diseases as they age.

Basically, your body needs NAD to aid in everything from digestion and energy metabolism to cell growth and DNA repair. It’s important stuff!

What Is NMN?

NMN, or nicotinamide mononucleotide, is a molecule that acts as a precursor to NAD. In other words, NMN is converted into NAD once it is within your body. Although your body can create NMN naturally, you can find it in trace amounts within certain foods, such as avocados, broccoli, cabbage, and cucumbers. It can also be taken in a more concentrated form through various supplements.

Put in the simplest terms possible, your body needs NAD for many things. NMN, on the other hand, is one of the most essential raw materials your body needs to make NAD.

The amount of NAD you have declines with age, and part of this is because there is less NMN.

NMN spelled out in white pill capsules

What Are the Differences? - NMN vs NAD

If you think of NAD as the finished product and NMN as the building block required to make that finished product, it becomes much easier to tell the difference between the two.

Naturally, the two molecules are closely related, but since it is possible to supplement with both NMN and NAD, many wonder which option is better.

One of the most important differences when comparing NMN and NAD is that the cells within your body can absorb NMN more effectively than they can absorb NAD. In other words, it is much better to focus on increasing the amount of NMN you absorb so your body can build its own NAD rather than trying to supplement with pre-assembled NAD.

Why Should You Supplement with NMN?

While you can and should attempt to increase whole food sources of NMN in your diet, as the most abundant sources are healthy, nutritious foods your body needs anyways, supplementation is more effective. 

This is because NMN supplementation ensures that your body gets enough NMN consistently. Since taking a high-quality NMN supplement can help your body produce NAD, it could result in the following health benefits:

  • Improve Youthfulness and Longevity – Given that NAD helps to repair your DNA, it is widely believed that increasing NAD levels through NMN supplementation can reduce a person’s susceptibility to age-related diseases and conditions. Evidence supports the fact that it could also help slow down the physical effects of aging.
  • Reduce Susceptibility to Heart Disease – Studies have shown that high NAD levels could reduce a person’s risk of artery damage. If these studies are correct, NMN supplementation could potentially reduce the risk of heart disease.
  • Increased Energy Levels and Cognitive Performance – Since NAD is essential for energy metabolism, it is believed that higher levels of NAD can improve how energetic a person feels. NAD can also help protect cells against oxidative stress and elevated cortisol levels, which can help with brain performance.

Which Supplement Should You Choose to Increase NMN and NAD?

Since NMN supplementation is more effective than taking an NAD supplement, you need to find a high-quality, natural supplement free from low-quality ingredients and additives.

Immortal Life Extension

For those concerned about age-related decline and who would like to find a high-quality source of NMN, we highly recommend Immortal Life Extension.

This all-natural supplement blend acts as a rich source of NMN, so it can help with metabolic function, vision, improving energy levels, cardiovascular health and performance, and slowing down the aging process more generally.

Since Immortal Life Extension is a supplement blend rather than just a pure NMN supplement, you also get other phytonutrients that can help you feel younger and more vibrant. Piperine helps with nutrient absorption, so you experience the benefits of the NMN and other ingredients faster, while green tea extract helps reduce unhealthy weight gain and improve cognitive performance. You also get the benefits of pterostilbene, which can improve metabolic function and reduce the speed of age-related cognitive decline.

By reducing inflammatory responses, improving your body’s natural defenses, and giving your metabolism a much-needed boost, Immortal Life Extension can help you turn back the clock and experience the youthful vibrancy you once felt.

Final Words

While it is true that NMN supplementation can give your body the tools it needs to increase NAD levels, there is no such thing as a magic pill that will provide you with access to the fountain of youth. In addition to taking a high-quality NMN supplement like Immortal Life Extension, you should also apply effort to improve your overall health. 

Exercise, eat well, get enough sleep, and reduce stress and anxiety. When you take these actions and add a high-quality supplement, you will feel better! If you want to know how you can continue to look, feel, and perform as you did in your younger years, check out How to Feel Your Best and Continue Building Muscle After 40.

Read Hormones and Weight Gain After 40 – Top 6 Secrets You Must Know for more information on maintaining a healthy physique as you age.

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