What's the scientific debate about NMN and NR?

The scientific debate about Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) and Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) revolves around several key points:

1. Commercial vs. Scientific Interest: According to Andrew Huberman and Peter Attia, the debate is largely commercial, with companies trying to carve out markets for NMN and NR supplements 1. Both compounds may increase NAD levels, but there's little evidence to favor one significantly over the other from a scientific standpoint 1.

2. FDA Regulations and Safety: NMN faced FDA scrutiny, leading to its classification as a drug for clinical testing, hence being pulled from the market 2. NR is still sold as a supplement and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA 1.

3. Actual Benefits to Lifespan and Healthspan: The efficacy of NMN and NR in increasing NAD levels and their impact on lifespan is questioned. Direct comparisons and measurable benefits in terms of lifespan extension are lacking 3. Some evidence suggests potential benefits in specific areas like reducing skin cancer risk, but these findings are not robust enough to justify broad usage for longevity 4.

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     1

     NMN vs NR Debate

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     2

     FDA and Supplements

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     3

     NAD Supplements Debate

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     4

     NMN and Longevity

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     5

     NAD Precursors Explained

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     6

     NAD and Aging

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4. Bioavailability and Effectiveness: NR may cross cell membranes more easily and increase NAD levels more effectively than NMN, but this advantage can be mitigated by adjusting dosages 3 5. The debate remains whether increased NAD in the blood translates to significantly increased NAD within cells and if this matters for longevity and healthspan.

5. Research Quality and Claims: Experts argue that many studies supporting NMN and NR are not well-designed, leading to questionable claims about their benefits. For example, David Sinclair mentions that while NMN can increase NAD levels, the exact impact on health and longevity remains uncertain 6.

In summary, while NMN and NR show some promise in various small-scale studies, there is considerable skepticism about their overall effectiveness and the robustness of the supporting science. The debate is as much about commercial interests as it is about scientific evidence.