NR6 - The Latest Scientific Anti-aging Breakthrough

You may have heard of NAD+ which is an acronym for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is a critical molecule found in every cell in our bodies and is needed for energy creation, cellular function and DNA repair. Scientists believe that the decline in this molecule is one of the most important processes leading to premature aging or death. Can that decline be arrested if healthy levels of NAD+ is restored in our bodies? The evidence suggests that for most people the answer is yes. This is what brought about the development of NR6.

But first some explanations…

What is so Special About NAD+?

Without NAD+ in our cells, we would be dead in less than 30 seconds. It is responsible for multiple enzymatic processes which are critical to repairing DNA damage and creating energy. It is the failing of these enzymatic processes that slow down our DNA repair which in turn leads to aging. If we can maintain our DNA repair processes for longer we could expect to live longer and healthier.

Even though NAD+ is one of the most critical molecules in our bodies… there is a problem!

Have a look at this diagram which relates to levels of NAD+ in our bodies and a DNA damage marker. Pretty frightening:

As Your DNA Damage Increases With age it is Reflected in:

• Saggy and dull skin
• Reduction in energy
• Degenerative conditions
• Loss of libido
• Fuzzy thinking and memory loss
• Poor sleep

If you are getting up in years, reflect on how you were feeling and looking a few decades earlier. If you can raise the NAD+ levels in your body and kick start the DNA repair process you have a good chance of ‘regaining some of your youth’.

On the other hand, if you are younger and can sustain good levels of NAD+ in your body for longer, then you have a good chance of slowing down 'Mother Time' because not only does NAD+ play a real role in ensuring DNA repair, it is a major player in energy production.

The problem… how do we restore NAD+ levels?

Do we take an NAD+ pill? Nope, that won’t work. Do we take another form of NAD called NADH because it is possible to get NADH pills? NADH goes back and forth from NAD+ to NADH in a circular manner so that would seem logical. But nope, that doesn’t work either. Our founder, Warren Matthews, investigated that possibility almost 17 years ago with a scientist in Austria who developed an NADH product.

The problem with NADH is that, unlike NAD+ which diminishes with age, NADH increases and the body thinks it has enough NAD+ and stops making it. By taking NADH it makes the situation worse. So, we have to increase our NAD+ levels without increasing the NADH.

The solution

Scientists have found a safe and natural way to restore healthy levels of NAD+ in our bodies. Multiple studies have been done both on animals and humans… we have provided a list of references at the bottom of this page.

The solution is to use a natural precursor to generate the extra NAD+ in our bodies. There are two options. One is called NR which is short for Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride and the other is NMN which is short for Nicotinamide mononucleotide. These are forms of Vitamin B3 but quite unique.

We set our Chief Scientist Dr Amanda Wiggins PhD to the task of thoroughly investigating the pros and cons of each precursor as a base for a new product to help raise NAD+ levels. We had the option of using either.

After reviewing hundreds of clinical and preclinical papers, the decision was made to go with NR. The rationale for this is covered in some of the resources/blogs referred to below. It’s a bit technical but easy to read.

Because there were several NAD+ precursor products on the global market we did as we always do… endeavour to make a better and more effective supplement! We also wanted to enhance the efficacy of one of the most important enzymatic processes which are to create sirtuins which are important in the process of DNA repair. To achieve this we had to make some synergistic enhancements.

Additional enhancements

Sirtuins play a critical role in DNA repair but they are largely dependent upon a good supply of NAD+. Scientists have established that it is possible to ‘boost’ the effect of the NAD+ on sirtuins by the addition of specific ingredients. For this reason, we developed NR6 with not only NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) but another five synergistic ingredients as well… hence the name NR6.

The six ingredients are:

*Methylation is where a molecule called a methyl group is added to another molecule, such as DNA or a protein, so that molecule is able to function. Methyl groups are produced by a process called the methylation cycle. The methylation cycle involves lots of different molecules in the body, including S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), homocysteine and methionine, and is dependent on specific nutrients including folate and vitamin B12. Proper methylation is required for good health, for example, methylation is responsible for lowering homocysteine. High homocysteine levels are a risk factor for age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. In short, we want plenty of methylation to keep our circulating homocysteine levels in check and to support numerous other methylation reactions.

End result

NR6 is now quite arguably the most advanced NAD+ precursor supplement on the global market today and incorporates the latest verifiable science.

Resources

For those people who would like to get a better understanding of NR6 and the rationale behind it our Chief Research Scientist Dr Amanda Wiggins PhD has prepared a series of papers for your information.

• The History of NAD+ and Xtend-Life's Journey to NR6
• What is NAD+ and Why Do We Need It?
• What Makes NR6 Better Than the Rest?
• What's All the Fuss About Sirtuins?
• NMN vs NR

Scientific References

ANSARI, H.R. and RAGHAVA, G.P., Identification of NAD Interacting Residues in Proteins. BMC Bioinformatics, 2010. 11(1): p. 160.

BALARD, B., GIACOMONI, P.U., Nicotinamide Adenosine Dinucleotide Level in Dimethylsulfate-Treated or UV-Irradiated Mouse Epidermis. Mutat Res, 1989. 219(1): p. 71-79.

BOCK, F.J. and CHANG, P. New Directions In Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Biology. FEBS J, 2016. 283(22): p. 4017-4031.

BRAIDY, N., et al., Age-Related Changes in NAD+ Metabolism Oxidative Stress and SIRT1 Activity in Wistar Rats. Plos One, 2011. 6(4): p. E19194.

BRENNER, C. and BOILEAU, A. C. Pterostilbene raises low-density lipoprotein in people. Clinical Nutrition 38 (2019) 480e481.

CONZE, D. et al. Safety and Metabolism of Long-Term Administration of NIAGAN (Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride) in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical trial of Healthy overweight Adults. Nature. (2019) 9:9772. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46120-z.

DE MURCIA, J.M., et al., Requirement Of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase In Recovery From DNA Damage In Mice And In Cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1997. 94(14): p. 7303-7307.

DILBAHAR S. M. and MALIK, S. The Sirtuin System: The Holy Grail of Resveratrol? J Clin Exp Cardiol. 2012 Nov ; 3(11): . doi:10.4172/2155-9880.1000216.

ESSUMAN, K., et al., The Sarm1 Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor Domain Possesses Intrinsic NAD(+) Cleavage Activity That Promotes Pathological Axonal Degeneration. Neuron, 2017. 93(6): p. 1334-1343 e5.

GARIANI, K., et al., Eliciting the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response By Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Repletion Reverses Fatty Liver Disease in Mice. Hepatology, 2016. 63(4): p. 1190-1204.

GUEST, J., et al., Changes in Oxidative Damage, Inflammation and [NAD(H)] With Age in Cerebrospinal Fluid. Plos One, 2014. 9(1): p. E85335.

IMAI S, GUARENTE L (2014) NAD+ and sirtuins in aging and disease. Trends Cell Biol24: 464–471.

KANE, E.E. & SINCLAIR, D.A Sirtuins and NAD+ in the Development and Treatment of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases. Circulation Research Volume 123, Issue 7, 14 September 2018, Pages 868-885.

KESARWANI, K. and GUPTA, R. Bioavailability Enhancers of Herbal Origin: An Overview. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2013; 3(4): 253-266.

LEVINE, D.C., et al., NAD(+) Controls Circadian Reprogramming Through PER2 Nuclear Translocation To Counter Aging. Mol cell, 2020.

MASSUDI, H., et al., Age-Associated Changes in Oxidative Stress and NAD+ Metabolism in Human Tissue. Plos One, 2012. 7(7): p. E42357.

MARTENS, C. R. et al. Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03421-7

NAKAHATA, Y., et al., Circadian Control of the NAD+ Salvage Pathway By Clock-Sirt1. Science, 2009. 324(5927): p. 654-657.

RAMSEY, K.M., et al., Circadian Clock Feedback Cycle Through NAMPT-Mediated NAD+ Biosynthesis. Science, 2009. 324(5927): p. 651-654..

SEYSSEL, K., et al., Regulation of Energy Metabolism and Mitochondrial Function in Skeletal Muscle During Lipid Overfeeding In Healthy Men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2014. 99(7): p. E1254-1262.

SUNG-CHUAN CHAO et al., Induction of Sirtuin-1 Signalling by Resveratrol Induces Human Chondrosarcoma Cell Apoptosis And Exhibits Antitumor Activity Nature. 7: 3180 doi:10.1038/s41598-017-03635-7.

THEORELL, H., BONNICHSEN, R., The Mechanism of Alcohol Dehydrogenase Action. Acta Chemica Scandinavica, 1951. 5: p. 329.

TRAMMELL, S.A., et al., Nicotinamide Riboside Opposes Type 2 Diabetes and Neuropathy in Mice. Sci Rep, 2016. 6: p. 26933.

WANG, S., et al., Nicotinamide Riboside Attenuates Alcohol-Induced Liver Injuries Via Activation of SIRT1/PGC-1alpha/Mitochondrial Biosynthesis Pathway. Redox Biol, 2018. 17: p. 89-98.

ZHANG, N. and SAUVE, A.A., Regulatory Effects Of NAD(+) Metabolic Pathways On Sirtuin Activity. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci, 2018. 154: p. 71-104.

WIGHTMAN, E. L. et al. Effects Of Resveratrol Alone or In Combination With Piperine On Cerebral Blood Flow Parameters And Cognitive Performance In Human Subjects: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Investigation. British Journal of Nutrition (2014), 112, 203–213.