Not until recent years has much been known about a nutrient called nicotinamide ribose. A vitamin B3 (niacin) precursor present in trace amounts in milk and beer, nicotinamide ribose is showing promise as an anti-aging nutrient, helping to stave off mitochondrial aging, brain health, and blood sugar control.
Longevity Molecule
More studies on humans need to be done, but studies on mice have found that nicotinamide ribose were able to rejuvenate mitochondria and helped mice to live longer. (Source) A study published just this year found that nicotinamide ribose helped mitochondria reduce and prevent age-related deterioration of muscle and brain tissue. (Source) A 2014 study found that NR was able to delay the progression of age-related disease and decline in both its early and late stages. (Source) You may have heard that calorie restriction can increase lifespan; a 2007 study found that supplementation with NR has this same effect, works in the same metabolic pathways. (Source)
Blood Sugar Control
When cells become less sensitive to insulin (insulin resistance) the body has to produce more insulin to control blood sugar. Being in a state of insulin resistance can lead to diabetes. NR has been found to help wake the cell’s response to insulin back up, reversing insulin resistance (Source) and has recently been found to be of benefit to diabetics, reducing the risk of complications related to the disease. (Source)
Brain Health
Nicotinamide riboside may also benefit the brain, with dietary supplementation benefitting cognitive function in those with Alzheimer’s Disease by reducing the amount of free radicals. (Source) Another study found NR to be cytoprotective to brain cells. (Source) It has also been found to help prevent noise-related hearing loss. (Source)
Nicotinamide riboside has no known side effects and, while it is a niacin pre-cursor, it does not cause flushing in most people like niacin can.