Can I take NR and NMN together?

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are both precursors of NAD⁺. This substance plays an important role in your body and supports, among other things, energy metabolism, metabolic processes, and cellular health. NR and NMN achieve this via different pathways.

But is it better to combine them? Or is one of the two enough? In this article, you’ll read what NR and NMN do exactly, how they differ, and what happens if you take them at the same time.

What is NR (Nicotinamide Riboside)?

NR is a form of vitamin B3 and a direct precursor of NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). NAD⁺ is a coenzyme found in every cell of the body. It plays an important role in energy production, cellular metabolism, and DNA repair. Without sufficient NAD⁺, cells function less well.

After ingestion, NR is rapidly absorbed and converted into NAD⁺. This makes it an interesting compound in longevity research. In clinical and preclinical studies, NR is associated with supporting cognitive function, the heart, and metabolism⁽¹⁾.

One challenge with NR is the stability of the supplement. Some forms can become less effective at high temperatures or during long-term storage. Newer variants such as NR-borate have been developed to address this issue⁽²⁾.

What is NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)?

NMN is, like NR, a precursor of NAD⁺. This substance also occurs naturally in the body. NMN is converted into NAD⁺ faster than NR, but to do so it usually must first be broken down outside the cell into NR. Only then can it be absorbed. An important enzyme in this process is CD73⁽³⁾.

Preclinical research shows that NMN produces promising results. In animal studies, mice that used NMN long term showed improvements in insulin sensitivity, energy balance, and even eye function⁽⁴⁾. These findings suggest that NMN may play a role in supporting healthy aging processes.

Are NR and NMN absorbed in the same way?

NMN and NR are absorbed via different routes. NR is converted via the NRK pathway into NMN and then into NAD+. NMN is taken up directly via the SLC12A8 transporter, although this depends on tissue type and enzyme activity. So although they are different compounds, their mechanisms of action partially overlap. That explains why they have similar effects.

What happens if you take NR and NMN together?

In theory, combining NR and NMN can provide broader support for NAD+ production. Because they work partly through different pathways, they can complement each other. Some researchers suggest that combining them increases NAD+ levels in multiple places at once. This may create a synergistic effect.⁶

Although the theory is promising, there have been few large clinical studies that specifically look at the combination in humans. So there is not yet conclusive evidence that this combination works better than using NR or NMN on their own.

Are there any risks to the combination?

So far, no major adverse effects have been reported from combining NR and NMN. Both substances are generally well tolerated, even at higher doses. Still, it’s always wise to be cautious with combinations. Pay attention to supplement quality, stick to the recommended dosage, and if in doubt consult a doctor—especially if you take medication or have a medical condition.

Do you really need to take NR and NMN together?

Some people use both supplements at the same time—for example, during periods of stress or intense exercise. They hope to produce extra NAD⁺ through multiple pathways. There are users who notice subtle effects, such as more energy or better recovery. Still, at this moment there is limited research showing that combining is clearly more effective than using just one of the two separately.

Sources

¹ Mehmel, M., Jovanović, N., & Spitz, U. (2020). Nicotinamide Riboside—The current state of research and therapeutic uses. Nutrients, 12(6), 1616. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061616

² Biţă, A., et al. (2023). Nicotinamide riboside, a promising vitamin B3 derivative for healthy aging and longevity: current research and perspectives. Molecules, 28(16), 6078. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28166078

³ Mateuszuk, Ł., et al. (2020). Reversal of endothelial dysfunction by nicotinamide mononucleotide via extracellular conversion to nicotinamide riboside. Biochemical Pharmacology, 178, 114019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114019